"I felt like I am defective … ": a lifeworld phenomenological study of intended mothers' sufferings.

AIM/

BACKGROUND

Surrogacy as an assisted reproductive technology is a female story in which an infertile woman rents a fertile woman's womb to carry her child. Many researches have focused on the surrogates' experiences and well-being and the literature is limited on the experiences of the intended mothers. The aim of this study was to reflect on the sufferings of the infertile women who are labelled as intended mothers in surrogacy.

DESIGN/METHOD: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with intended mothers who were either in the surrogacy process or who had a child. Questions were centred around the intended mothers' experiences throughout surrogacy process. Interview were analysed using Reflective Lifeworld Research.

RESULTS

The result of the analysis reveals seven themes: 1) physical harms, 2) emotional and mental consequences, 3) social pressure, 4) economic consequences, 5) trust issues, 6) surrogacy mask, 7) life crisis.

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest that the intended mothers need to receive more psychological and emotional support from the society and healthcare system and economic support from the policy makers.