“Living Between Hope and Uncertainty”: A Phenomenological Study of Couples Undergoing Infertility Treatment
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69980/ajpr.v28i2.786Keywords:
Infertility, couples, lived experiences, phenomenology, assisted reproductive treatmentAbstract
Background: Infertility is a distressing life experience that affects couples emotionally, socially, and relationally. Advances in assisted reproductive technologies have improved treatment options; however, the emotional journey of couples undergoing infertility treatment remains complex and insufficiently explored, particularly in low- and middle-income settings.
Objective: To explore and describe the lived experiences of couples undergoing infertility treatment.
Methods: A descriptive phenomenological study was conducted among 15 infertile couples receiving treatment at a tertiary fertility center in Uttar Pradesh. Purposive sampling was used. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with couples and analyzed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological method.
Results: Four major themes emerged: Living with Emotional Duality, Strain on Relationship and Identity, Navigating Social and Cultural Pressures, and Coping, Resilience, and Meaning-Making. Couples described fluctuating emotions between hope and despair, relational adjustments, social stigma, and reliance on coping strategies such as mutual support, spirituality, and trust in healthcare providers.
Conclusion: Couples undergoing infertility treatment experience profound emotional and relational challenges while simultaneously demonstrating resilience. Understanding these lived experiences can guide nurses and fertility care providers in delivering holistic, couple-centered infertility care.
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