title: Infertility: women's experiences.
abstract: Recent scientific nursing literature and clinical practice yield important information regarding women's varied responses to the diagnosis and treatment of infertility, as well as the multiple pathways women take through the infertility experience. In this article, we examine infertility through women's eyes, explore the influence of the social context on women's infertility experiences, and present ideas for clinical approaches to working with infertile women. Three approaches for nursing practice are suggested: (a) preserving self-esteem, (b) promoting access to social resources, and (c) facilitating use of coping methods to reduce distress.
authors.forename: N F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Olshansky
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Draye
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support