Experiences of Spanish women undergoing hysterosalpingography as part of the infertility process: a phenomenological study

Abstract

Aims and objectives: To describe and understand the experiences and perceptions of women who undergo hysterosalpingography as part of the infertility process.

Background: Nurses and midwives should conduct research into the emotional aspects of caring for patients undergoing infertility treatment. The hysterosalpingography is considered to be the most feared test in the infertility process and the one about which very little is known.

Design: A phenomenological qualitative study.

Methods: Ten Spanish women who had undergone hysterosalpingography participated in this study. In-depth interviews were carried out between October 2012-May 2013. Data analysis was performed with the help of atlas.ti software to identify emerging themes.

Results: The experience of the participants who underwent hysterosalpingography during the infertility process is represented by the following three themes: (1) becoming a mother to feel complete as a person and as a woman, with the subthemes 'maternity as a life objective' and 'maternity in terms of gender identity'; (2) infertility--an intimate experience which provokes negative feelings, with the subthemes 'negative feelings regarding own infertility' and 'infertility as an experience that is little shared with others'; (3) Undergoing hysterosalpingography, with the subthemes 'feelings regarding hysterosalpingography', 'treatment by medical providers' and 'areas for improvement regarding the service given by the providers'.

Conclusion: For women who undergo hysterosalpingography, maternity may be seen as a life objective that could identify them as women. Results suggest that although infertility is experienced with negative feelings such as anxiety, frustration and sadness, hysterosalpingography seems to be related with both hope and fear when facing the test.

Relevance to clinical practice: Knowing the experiences of these women could help nurses, midwives and physicians to provide better patient-centred care.

Keywords: female; hysterosalpingography; infertility; qualitative research.