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Mothers in Same-Sex Relationships Describe the Process of Forming a Family as a Stressful Journey in a Heteronormative World: A Swedish Grounded Theory Study
Mälardalen University, School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Health and Welfare. (CHiP)ORCID iD: 0000-0002-3238-063X
Mälardalen University, School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Health and Welfare. Kvinnors och barns hälsa, Uppsala universitet. (CHIP HVV)ORCID iD: 0000-0003-2722-5544
Linköpings universitet.
Mälardalen University, School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Health and Welfare. (Chip HVV)ORCID iD: 0000-0002-6223-1109
2018 (English)In: Maternal and Child Health Journal, ISSN 1092-7875, E-ISSN 1573-6628, Vol. 22, no 10, p. 1444-1450Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Objectives The aim of this study was to gain insight into how women in same-sex relationships experience the process of forming a family through the use of assisted reproduction technique (ART), from planning the pregnancy to parenthood, and their experience of parental support from healthcare professionals. Methods The participants were 20 women in a same-sex relationship who had conceived through ART at a Swedish clinic. Semi-structured interviews including open questions about pregnancy, parenthood and support from healthcare professionals were conducted. The interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analysed according to grounded theory. Results The core category, A stressful journey through a heteronormative world, emerged from the analysis, as did three subcategories: A journey fraught with difficulties and decisions; The nuclear family as the norm; and A need for psychological support. Same-sex parents expressed a need for more information about how to access ART in Sweden. Both the healthcare organization and treatment were perceived as heteronormative. In particular, these women lacked psychological support during the demanding process of utilizing a sperm donor to conceive. Conclusions for Practice Professionals in antenatal care should undergo mandatory cultural competency training to ensure cultural sensitivity and the provision of updated information, tailored brochures and early parental support for families with same-sex parents. All parents need guidance and support from competent, caring personnel throughout the entire process of forming a family.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Springer, 2018. Vol. 22, no 10, p. 1444-1450
Keywords [en]
Antenatal care; Assisted reproduction technique; Parental support; Women in same-sex relationships
National Category
Medical and Health Sciences
Research subject
Care Sciences
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:mdh:diva-41143DOI: 10.1007/s10995-018-2525-yISI: 000445198600010PubMedID: 29740747Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85046650947OAI: oai:DiVA.org:mdh-41143DiVA, id: diva2:1254228
Projects
Doktorandprojekt: Families with two mothers-experiences and support from health care providersAvailable from: 2018-10-08 Created: 2018-10-08 Last updated: 2021-08-27Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. Family formation in two-mother families: Experiences of parental support in antenatal and child health care in Sweden
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Family formation in two-mother families: Experiences of parental support in antenatal and child health care in Sweden
2021 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

The aim with the thesis was to examine same-sex mothers experiences of forming a family, pregnancy, parenthood and parental support from professionals in antenatal and child health care. An additional purpose was to explore professionals' experiences of meeting and supporting families with two mothers.

The results are based on four articles (three studies). The project started with exploratory semi-structured interviews (n = 20) with mothers in same-sex relationships who had children with the help of assisted reproduction at a Swedish clinic. Thereafter, a web survey was designed based on the results from the first sub-study. The survey, as well as a survey on perceived parenting stress (SPSQ), was answered by 146 mothers in same-sex relationships. Finally, focus groups were held with professionals (n = 13) in antenatal and child health care with experience of meeting and supporting families with two mothers.

The results showed that the mothers in same-sex relationships experienced the process of forming a family as a stressful journey in a heteronormative world, and that they lacked psychological / emotional support (Articles I, III). The results also showed that the mothers strived for equal parenthood and that they lacked professional support (Articles II, III).

Furthermore, the results showed that the non-birth mother experienced a lower degree of acknowledgement from antenatal and child health care than the mother who gave birth, and a lower degree of support from antenatal care but no difference in the experience of support from child health care. The mothers also experienced a low degree of parenting stress (Article III).

Professionals strived for an open approach in meeting new parents. They met well-prepared mothers who planned for equal parenting. Professionals expressed that they either gave equal support to all parents, or that they provided tailored support to same-sex mothers (Article IV).

The thesis contributes with an in-depth understanding and increased knowledge about mothers in same-sex relationships' experience of family formation as well as their experience of treatment and support from professionals in antenatal and child health care. Furthermore, it also shows professionals' experiences of meeting and supporting families with two mothers.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Västerås: Mälardalen University, 2021
Series
Mälardalen University Press Dissertations, ISSN 1651-4238 ; 342
National Category
Medical and Health Sciences Nursing
Research subject
Care Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:mdh:diva-55668 (URN)978-91-7485-516-6 (ISBN)
Public defence
2021-10-22, Gamma samt via Zoom, Mälardalens högskola, Västerås, 09:15 (Swedish)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2021-08-27 Created: 2021-08-27 Last updated: 2021-10-01Bibliographically approved

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Appelgren Engström, HeléneHäggström-Nordin, ElisabetAlmqvist, Anna-Lena

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