Women and men with a diagnosis of infertility that confronts them with the impossibility of conceiving a child perceive In vitro fertilization (IVF) as their last chance. In this study a qualitative analysis of interviews previously conducted with women and men who were initiating IVF procedures and women and men 4-6 years after unsuccessful IVF was performed. The main findings showed that the decision to participate in IVF procedures had been based principally on women’s desire to have a baby, doubts and difficulties of the different phases of IVF were minimized during procedure and gained importance over time after unsuccessful procedure. All participants considered their participation in IVF a positive experience. The comprehension of the meaning of these procedures at different stages for women and men may contribute for the elaboration of support strategies.
In vitro fertilization; qualitative analysis; men and women
