Do nurses and midwives have a role in promoting the well-being of patients during their fertility journey? a review of the literature

Abstract

People seeking fertility treatment are exposed to numerous stressors and many professionals are involved in their care. This literature review focuses on the role of nurses and midwives in the promotion of patient's well-being. Key themes identified are the need for continuity of care and support at all stages of treatment, but particularly prior to pregnancy testing, during the ante-natal period and following unsuccessful treatment. Women who conceive through fertility treatment are often anxious about the risk of potential miscarriage. It is not unreasonable that nurses and midwives receive training in acquiring skills in the provision of such support to patients which, arguably, is consistent with the general requirement that their skills and knowledge are updated to ensure safe and effective practice, but this would have resource implications. The wider question of who should provide well-being and emotional support for patients is an area of reproductive medicine which requires further research.

Keywords::

• Continuity of care
• infertility

Acknowledgement

This review was undertaken with the assistance of a grant from The Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no declarations of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.