Publications (31) View all
-
Article: Gamete donors' satisfaction; gender differences and similarities among oocyte and sperm donors in a national sample.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE: To explore oocyte and sperm donors' emotional stress, experiences of care and satisfaction after donation. Design. Prospective multicenter study. SETTINGS: All fertility clinics performing gamete donation in Sweden during the period 2005 to 2008. Population Of 220 eligible oocyte donors who were approached, 181 agreed to complete the first questionnaire and 165 completed the second questionnaire two months after oocyte donation. Of 156 eligible sperm donors 119 accepted to complete the first questionnaire prior to donation. Eighty-nine participants completed the second questionnaire two months after sperm donation. METHODS: Standardized and study-specific questionnaires. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Satisfaction with the donation, respondents' mental health and overall care. RESULTS: A larger percentage of sperm donors (97.8%) were satisfied with their overall experience of being a donor than oocyte donors (85.9%, p=0.003). Some oocyte and sperm donors did not get sufficient information about practical issues (9.1% and 13.5%, respectively) and future consequences (12.8% and 3.4%, respectively, p= 0.014). The donors' symptoms of anxiety and depressive did not show any differences in relation to negative or positive perceptions of satisfaction. The donors who did not indicated ambivalence prior to treatment were on average almost five times more satisfied compared to those who did indicate ambivalence (odss ratio 4.71; 95% confidence interval 1.34-16.51). CONCLUSIONS: Most donors were satisfied with their contribution after the donation. Oocyte and sperm donors who expressed ambivalence before donation were less satisfied after donation. In-vitro fertilization staff fulfilled most of the donors' needs for information and care. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica 04/2013; · 1.77 Impact Factor -
Article: Reflections on fertility and postponed parenthood-interviews with highly educated women and men without children in Sweden.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Abstract Background. Different reasons influence the current low birth-rate and the postponement of the birth of the first child throughout Europe. The aim of this study was to explore how highly educated women and men in Sweden reflect on fertility and postponed parenthood. Methods. We interviewed women (n = 22) and men (n = 18) who had started their professional careers and still had no children. Data were analysed with qualitative content analysis. Results. Fertility was perceived as an unconsidered capacity, sometimes unpredictable, and different for women and men, but nevertheless taken for granted. The participants were of the opinion that fertility could be restored by assisted reproductive technologies or replaced by alternatives to a biological child. Postponed parenthood was described as an adaptation to societal changes and current discourses about parenthood as well as a consequence of a contemporary lifestyle with many competing priorities. Conclusion. Highly educated young women and men in contemporary Sweden have competing priorities when planning and setting goals for their lives, and having children is one of them. They describe fertility as an imperceptible and retrievable capacity and postponed parenthood as a rational adaptation to changes in society. These findings suggest that increased information about the limitations of human reproduction is needed, but also that societal support for younger parents is of utmost importance.Upsala journal of medical sciences 01/2013; · 0.73 Impact Factor -
Article: Gamete donors' motivation in a Swedish national sample: is there any ambivalence? A descriptive study.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To study donors' motivation and ambivalence before donation of gametes. Cross-sectional study. Seven Swedish university hospital clinics. Sample. Of the 220 eligible oocyte donors and 156 eligible sperm donors who were approached, 181 (82%) oocyte donors and 119 (76%) sperm donors agreed to participate. Gamete donors completed a questionnaire in the clinic prior to the donation. Motives and ambivalence towards donation. In general, gamete donors donated for altruistic reasons (95%). A greater percentage of oocyte than sperm donors had a personal experience of biological children, which motivated them to donate (65 vs. 32%). A greater percentage of sperm donors compared with oocyte donors were curious about their own fertility (24 vs. 9%), and they also believed that they were contributing what they regarded as their own good genes to other couples (45 vs. 20%). Prior to donation, potential sperm donors were more ambivalent towards donating than were oocyte donors (39 and 21%, p < 0.001). The motives to donate gametes are mainly altruistic. We conclude that men and women differ in their view towards donating gametes. Sperm donors had a higher degree of ambivalent feelings towards donation than oocyte donors.Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica 04/2012; 91(8):944-51. · 1.77 Impact Factor -
Article: Relationship quality in lesbian and heterosexual couples undergoing treatment with assisted reproduction.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: One of the major factors impacting on a couple's relationship is the desire to have children. To many couples having a child is a confirmation of their love and relationship and a means to deepen and develop their intimate relationship. At the same time parental stress can impact on relationship quality. Relationship quality in lesbian couples is, currently, sparsely studied. The aim of the present study was to compare lesbian and heterosexual couples' perceptions of their relationship quality at the commencement of assisted reproduction, and to relate this to background data such as educational level, having previous children and, for lesbian couples, the use of a known versus anonymous donor. The present study is part of the prospective longitudinal 'Swedish study on gamete donation', including all fertility clinics performing donation treatment in Sweden. Of a consecutive cohort of 214 lesbian couples about to receive donor insemination and 212 heterosexual couples starting regular IVF treatment, 166 lesbian couples (78% response) and 151 heterosexual couples (71% response) accepted participation in the study. At commencement of assisted reproduction participants individually completed questionnaires including the instrument 'ENRICH', which is a standardized measure concerning relationship quality. In general, the couples rated their relationship quality as good, the lesbian couple better than the heterosexuals. In addition, the lesbian women with previous children assessed their relationship quality lower than did the lesbian woman without previous children. For heterosexual couples previous children did not influence their relationship quality. Higher educational levels reduced the satisfaction with the sexual relationship (P = 0.04) for treated lesbian women, and enhanced the rating of conflict resolution for treated lesbian women (P = 0.03) and their partners (P = 0.02). Heterosexual women with high levels of education expressed more satisfaction with communication in their relationship (P = 0.02) than did heterosexual women with lower educational levels. In this Swedish study sample of lesbian and heterosexual couples' relationships, we found that they were generally well adjusted and stable in their relationships when starting treatment with donated sperm or IVF, respectively. However, where lesbian women had children from a previous relationship, it decreased relationship quality. For the heterosexual couples previous children did not affect relationship quality.Human Reproduction 03/2012; 27(3):779-86. · 4.47 Impact Factor -
Article: Unresolved grief in women and men in Sweden three years after undergoing unsuccessful in vitro fertilization treatment.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To explore the experience of undergoing unsuccessful in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment and of remaining childless 3 years after IVF in both women and men. Qualitative-approach study. Ten women and nine men who had attended a public fertility clinic in Sweden. Individual qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with qualitative content analysis guiding the analysis. Three years after the end of IVF treatment, most men and women were still processing and had not adapted to childlessness, indicating that the grieving process was unresolved. Unsuccessful IVF was experienced by women in terms of grief, whereas men took upon themselves a supportive role and did not express grief. A need for professional support and counseling in how to handle grief was described. An unstructured end after IVF treatment left unanswered questions. The grieving process after unsuccessful IVF treatment was hampered among both men and women. The provision of additional individual support during IVF is recommended as men and women experienced childlessness differently. Support and counseling concerning grief reactions following IVF failure, and a structured final consultation after IVF may facilitate the grieving process after undergoing unsuccessful IVF treatment.Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica 10/2010; 89(10):1290-7. · 1.77 Impact Factor
