Pedro Brandao, Nathan Ceschin, Bodil Sandvik, Stefania Paolelli, Jakob Doblinger, Sérgio Reis-Soares, Ricardo Sousa-Santos, José Bellver
JBRA Assist. Reprod. 2023; 27 (3):442-452
Received June 24, 2022
Accepted December 26, 2022
Abstract
Objectives To evaluate female couples’ reproductive choices, the importance given to genetics and pregnancy and their expectations regarding mother-child connection.
Methods: Observational study based on an anonymous survey applied to 217 patients during 2021. The survey was given to female couples under reproductive treatment in a private fertility clinic. The outcomes were divided in 3 main groups: the choice of their reproductive treatment, motherhood and biological links, and their plans for future reproductive treatments.
Results: Most patients found it easy to choose their treatments and roles. The choice was mainly driven by success rates, costs, and simplicity, except for ROPA for which sharing biological motherhood was the main reason. Most couples consider genetics and pregnancy important but, in the end, they believe they will have a similar connection to their child, regardless of the role played. In the future, some couples consider doing the same treatment while others consider inverting roles.
Conclusion: Most female couples have no difficulty when it comes to choose a reproductive treatment or role to play, mainly based on costs, success rates and the possibility of sharing biological motherhood with the ROPA method. These patients attribute a high importance to genetics and pregnancy, but they expect a similar connection to their child regardless of the type of treatment and the roles played.