Multiple Gestations and Assisted Reproductive Technologies: Qualitative Study of the Discourse of Health Professionals in Spain

Estefanía Jurado-García, Alicia Botello-Hermosa, Francisco Javier Fernández-Carrasco, Juan Gómez-Salgado, Nazaret Navas-Rojano and Rosa Casado-Mejía
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Estefanía Jurado-García: Department of Nursing, Escuela Universitaria de Osuna, University of Seville, 41640 Sevilla, Spain
Alicia Botello-Hermosa: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Podiatry, University of Seville, 41009 Sevilla, Spain
Francisco Javier Fernández-Carrasco: Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Punta de Europa Hospital, 11207 Cádiz, Spain
Juan Gómez-Salgado: Department of Sociology, Social Work and Public Health, Faculty of Labour Sciences, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain
Nazaret Navas-Rojano: EIS Methods, Empresa de Base Tecnológica (Spin Off), University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain
Rosa Casado-Mejía: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Podiatry, University of Seville, 41009 Sevilla, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 11, 1-15

Abstract: Multiple gestations have become an increasing phenomenon that has impacted public health globally, largely due to the application of assisted reproductive technologies. The objective of this work was to find out the discourse that the health professionals involved in its follow-up have in our context. For this, a qualitative methodology was chosen, with semi-structured interviews recorded in audio, prior authorisation, and transcribed verbatim. It was based on a script designed for this purpose, with the following analysis categories: the current trend of multiple gestations, impact, and follow-up. The content analysis was based on the experiences, knowledge, and perceptions of the professionals interviewed. Professionals stated that the current socioeconomic and legal context hinders a single embryo transfer policy that decreases multiple gestation rates. They emphasised the importance of the psychic impact of such gestations on the couple, on the mother in particular, as well as the economic effect on families, health, and society in general. They expressed the need to create specific protocols to assist these gestations. Midwives, in particular, demanded that the health administration recognise and support the differentiated care they perform with this type of gestation. Work on specific models is needed to adequately size the impact of multiple gestations, as well as to generate social health policies that lead to co-responsible reconciliation measures that favour women having one pregnancy at a time.

Keywords: multiple pregnancy; assisted reproductive technologies (ART); embryo transfer; advanced maternal age; health system; maternal psychosocial consequences; parenting; perinatal outcomes; maternal and perinatal morbidity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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