International Journal of
Reproductive Biomedicine
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Volume 20, Issue 9 (September 2022)
IJRM 2022, 20(9): 769-778 |
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Ghane-Mokhallesouni Z, Askari-Nodoushan A, Razeghi Nasrabad H B, Kalateh Sadati A, Dehghani Firouzabadi R. Representation of a ‘positive experience’ of surrogacy in Yazd, Iran: A qualitative study. IJRM 2022; 20 (9) :769-778
URL: http://ijrm.ir/article-1-2431-en.html
URL: http://ijrm.ir/article-1-2431-en.html
Zahra Ghane-Mokhallesouni1 
, Abbas Askari-Nodoushan * 2, Hajieh Bibi Razeghi Nasrabad3 , Ahmad Kalateh Sadati4 , Razieh Dehghani Firouzabadi5
, Abbas Askari-Nodoushan * 2, Hajieh Bibi Razeghi Nasrabad3 , Ahmad Kalateh Sadati4 , Razieh Dehghani Firouzabadi5
1- M.A. Student in Anthropology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
2- Associate Professor of Demography, Faculty of Social Sciences, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran ,aaskarin@yazd.ac.ir
3- Associate Professor of Demography, National Population Studies and Comprehensive Management Institute, Tehran, Iran
4- Associate Professor of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
5- Research and Clinical Centre for Infertility, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadougui University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Yazd, Iran
2- Associate Professor of Demography, Faculty of Social Sciences, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran ,
3- Associate Professor of Demography, National Population Studies and Comprehensive Management Institute, Tehran, Iran
4- Associate Professor of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
5- Research and Clinical Centre for Infertility, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadougui University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Yazd, Iran
Abstract: (1113 Views)
Background: The social and cultural challenges facing surrogate mothers have been explored in several studies. However, few studies have discussed the motivations of surrogate mothers, their expressions and interpretations of their lived experiences, and their feelings of personal and spiritual satisfaction.
Objective: This study aims to present the positive experiences of surrogate mothers from a phenomenological perspective.
Materials and Methods: Using a phenomenological approach, this study was conducted from September 2020 to January 2021 in the city of Yazd, Iran. Participant observation and semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data among 12 participants with at least 1 experience of surrogate motherhood.
Results: Our findings showed that, despite having had harsh physical and socio-cultural experiences such as fear of social labeling and stigma, participants felt a kind of inner satisfaction and a positive view of their actions. A core theme found in the study was mothers' satisfaction. The main categories included feminine self-sacrifice and positive rewards. Feminine self-sacrifice included 2 sub-categories: creating happiness and conveying motherly feelings, while positive rewards included good childbirth, family acceptance, and halal income.
Conclusion: This study showed that surrogate mothers experience conflicting feelings of inner satisfaction and social stigma during surrogacy. Some of those interviewed were willing to go through surrogacy again, but they feared social labeling and stigma, being misunderstood by others who are not fully informed about surrogacy, and being subjected to family and social disapproval.
Objective: This study aims to present the positive experiences of surrogate mothers from a phenomenological perspective.
Materials and Methods: Using a phenomenological approach, this study was conducted from September 2020 to January 2021 in the city of Yazd, Iran. Participant observation and semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data among 12 participants with at least 1 experience of surrogate motherhood.
Results: Our findings showed that, despite having had harsh physical and socio-cultural experiences such as fear of social labeling and stigma, participants felt a kind of inner satisfaction and a positive view of their actions. A core theme found in the study was mothers' satisfaction. The main categories included feminine self-sacrifice and positive rewards. Feminine self-sacrifice included 2 sub-categories: creating happiness and conveying motherly feelings, while positive rewards included good childbirth, family acceptance, and halal income.
Conclusion: This study showed that surrogate mothers experience conflicting feelings of inner satisfaction and social stigma during surrogacy. Some of those interviewed were willing to go through surrogacy again, but they feared social labeling and stigma, being misunderstood by others who are not fully informed about surrogacy, and being subjected to family and social disapproval.
Type of Study: Original Article |
Subject:
Assisted Reproductive Technologies
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