Stress in assisted reproductive technology: implications for nursing practice.
In a follow-up study about women's experience of assisted reproductive technology (ART) some events were identified as particularly stressful, including making the decision to try ART, starting treatment, waiting for results after a scan, having oocyte collection, the 2 week wait after embryo transfer and finding out that the treatment was unsuccessful. On the basis of these findings, a review of the literature and extensive clinical practice as a nurse co-ordinator in an ART programme, implications for nursing practice are discussed and strategies to use that may help reduce stress and improve the well-being of ART participants are suggested.
Hammarberg
Karin
K
Key Centre for Women's Health in Society, School of Population Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D009729:Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D009865:Oocytes; D011247:Pregnancy; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000523:psychology; D017211:Treatment Failure