Ambivalence experienced by infertile couples undergoing IVF: a qualitative study

Abstract

The emotional consequences of infertility are well documented. However, relatively few studies have emphasized the dyadic emotional interaction within couples, despite infertility being a shared life event. This study adopted a dyadic (between two people) approach to explore the emotional complexity that infertile couples face. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted with 24 participants, including eight infertile couples and eight wives undergoing infertility treatments. Conjoint and individual interviews were conducted through purposive sampling in a large fertility centre in Tianjin, China, between June and August 2015. Thematic analysis identified two main themes: (i) ‘decisional ambivalence’, with subthemes of ‘ambivalent attitudes towards treatment’, ‘uncertainty about treatment outcomes’, and ‘treatment-related lifestyle changes’; and (ii) ‘relational ambivalence’ which included subthemes of ‘intergenerational ambivalence’ and ‘partner ambivalence’. Complex emotions of ambivalence among infertile couples were common as infertility clearly shattered their assumptive world on family formation. With complex entanglement of mixed emotions, ambivalence was intimately associated with cultural norms, social expectations, and active or over engagement of family members in Chinese societies. Since ambivalence could threaten mental and physical health during pregnancy, healthcare professionals should be prepared to assist infertile couples with identifying, articulating, and normalizing decisional and relational ambivalence during the treatment process.

Keywords:

• Infertility
• emotional complexity
• decisional ambivalence
• relational ambivalence
• Chinese
• couples
• IVF

Acknowledgements

The authors thank all the participants who shared their world with us.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 In China, patients must provide ID and marriage certifications to register for IVF treatments in a clinical setting.

2 The One Child Policy was still being enforced at the time of the interviews.