Conditional reproductive feasibility: A qualitative content analysis of childbearing among married women working in hospitals in Qom, Iran.

BACKGROUND

Women working in hospital settings may face particular childbearing challenges as family responsibilities coexist with demanding, often shift-based clinical work. Qualitative evidence on their experiences in this context remains limited.

AIM: To explore married women's experiences and perceptions of childbearing in the context of family life and work in hospitals in Qom, Iran.

METHODS

This qualitative descriptive study used inductive conventional qualitative content analysis. Fifteen married women were recruited purposively with snowball referrals. Semi-structured interviews were analysed concurrently in Persian; MAXQDA supported data management. Trustworthiness addressed credibility, dependability, confirmability and transferability.

RESULTS

Analysis identified 280 meaning units and 118 initial codes, integrated into 12 categories and four themes: from desire to decision; hospital work constraints and the limits of formal support; childcare as reproductive infrastructure; and confidence in providing for and raising a child. Cross-theme comparison generated conditional reproductive feasibility. It described how an existing desire or intention to have a child became more or less practicable as reproductive timing, shared family decision-making, workplace support accessible in practice, reliable shift-compatible childcare and confidence in providing for and raising a child converged or diverged. Possible, difficult, delayed and limited were post hoc, overlapping analytical positions rather than pre-specified categories or stages.

CONCLUSION

Formal entitlements did not necessarily translate into usable support under ward conditions. The findings suggest that childbearing-supportive measures for staff in the participating hospitals should be practically accessible, compatible with shift-based work and childcare needs, and integrated with workforce planning.