JBRA Assisted Reproduction 2025;29(Suppl.2 SBRA 2025):222
29th Annual Congress of the SBRA. São Paulo/SP - Brazil, 2025
doi: 10.5935/1518-0557.20263860
JBRA Assisted Reproduction 2025;29(Suppl.2 SBRA 2025):222
Poster Presentation
29th Annual Congress of the SBRA. São Paulo/SP - Brazil, 2025
doi: 10.5935/1518-0557.20263860
P-210. Solo motherhood through oocyte and embryo donation: psychological and emotional dynamics from conception to early childhood
1 Nilo Frantz Medicina Reprodutiva – Porto Alegre - RS - Brasil
Objective: As societal paradigms of family and parenthood evolve, an increasing number of women are choosing to become single mothers via gamete donation and assisted reproductive technologies (ART). This study aims to explore the emotional, psychological, and relational dynamics faced by these women. Specifically, it investigates the motivations behind choosing oocyte or embryo donation, the role of emotional and social support during pregnancy, and how these factors influence maternal identity and bonding with the child during the first two years postpartum. By examining these variables, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of the viability and richness of alternative family formations within the context of reproductive medicine.
Methods: This study recruited 20 women who successfully conceived through ART using donated oocytes or embryos in the context of solo motherhood at a specialized reproductive medicine clinic between 2013 and 2023. Data collection was conducted via structured, self-administered questionnaires, with 10 participants providing complete and analyzable responses through the Google Forms® platform. Qualitative responses were categorized to highlight recurring emotional and psychological themes surrounding decision-making, gestational experience, maternal bonding, and identity formation.
Results: The majority of participants (80%) turned to oocyte or embryo donation due to infertility with their own gametes, while the remaining 20% chose this path for personal or elective reasons. Upon deciding to use donor gametes, 50% of the women reported feeling happiness, 40% expressed relief, and 10% experienced some degree of anxiety, emotions that reflect both the hope and complexity inherent in this decision-making process. Emotional support played a key role throughout the journey. During pregnancy, 90% of participants received substantial support from family, highlighting the protective function of personal networks. In contrast, only 10% sought support from mental health professionals, suggesting either underutilization of psychological services or a perceived sufficiency in informal support systems. Disclosure regarding the use of donor gametes remained limited: 70% chose not to share this information widely, indicating persistent societal sensitivities and the careful consideration of stigma, privacy, or future implications for their children. Despite the absence of a genetic link, maternal-infant bonding proved robust. A strong and secure emotional connection with their children during pregnancy and the first two years postpartum was reported by 90% of participants. For the 10% who experienced initial doubts about their maternal identity or bonding, these concerns resolved over time. Notably, 80% never questioned their role as mothers due to the use of donor gametes, emphasizing that the lived experience of caregiving, rather than biology, forms the core of maternal identity. Furthermore, 90% of respondents stated that using donated gametes had no negative impact on their relationship with their child or on the cohesion of their family unit. These findings underscore a broader redefinition of family, one rooted in intentionality, emotional connection, and commitment, rather than genetic lineage alone.
Conclusion: This study underscores the legitimacy and success of independent motherhood through ART, urging clinicians to recognize the non-genetic pathways to effective parenting and to support women's reproductive autonomy. It also encourages the development of tailored clinical protocols and counseling strategies to address the specific needs of solo mothers using donated gametes, ultimately enhancing patient-centered care in reproductive medicine.