Qualitative research on the psychological experience of female patients undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer

Background: Infertility and fertility treatment exacerbate the intensity of stress that couples experience and negatively affects the patients’ quality of life. Stress is a crucial factor in reproductive health and is likely to be one of the psychological factors affecting ART success. The qualitative research method permitted an understanding of the patients’ experience during the diagnosis of and treatment for IVF and identified the sources of psychological stress. This understanding could urge medical workers, families, and society at large to provide targeted help to these patients. Methods: A qualitative research was conducted in the reproductive medicine center of our hospital. Women who received IVF treatment were randomly selected. Results: In total, 16 interviews were conducted with female patients undergoing IVF-ET between May and October 2019. The psychological experience of female patients undergoing IVF–ET can be summarized into four themes: (1) negative emotions due to infertility; (2) suffering under stress; (3) eager to obtain family and social support; (4) desire for medical knowledge related to infertility. Conclusion: Medical staff should fully understand the emotional state of the patient during the process of infertility treatment and careful attention should be paid to the patients’ psychological needs. According to the individual differences between the patients, we should provide positive factors of social support. Furthermore, corresponding health guidance and psychological support to reduce the psychological stress of patients and thus improve their chances of getting pregnant should be provided.