Table 4 Support mechanisms
Support mechanisms | All women, n= 25 | |
|---|---|---|
a) Emotional support | Supportive | Not supportive/non-disclosure |
Husband | 22 (88%) | 3 (12%) |
Family | 18 (72%) | 5 (20%) |
Mother | 7 | 3 |
Sister | 4 | - |
Father | - | 1 |
Mother-in-law | - | 1 |
Close friends | 22 (88%) | 5 (12%) |
Work colleagues | 6 (24%) | 2 (8%) |
Pets | 1 (4%) | - |
Counsellor at fertility clinic | 1 (4%) | 4 (16%) |
Peer-led local support group | 3 (12%) infertility support group | 19 (76%) did not know any groups |
Online discussion forums | 5 (20%) | 20 (80%) did not seek online forums |
Professional-led support & peer-led support program | 3 (12%) for stillbirth e.g. SIDS & Kids, Teddy Love Club, SANDS | 22 (88%) did not know any local or national groups for infertility & early pregnancy loss |
b) Instrumental support | ||
TCM practitioner/naturopath (fertility awareness education, lifestyle advice) | 25 (100%) incl. 17 who also attended Western fertility clinics beforehand | |
Books on natural fertility | 5 (20%) | |
Online forums (unsolicited) | 5 (20%) | |
GP referrals to TCM practitioner | 1 (4%) | |
1 (4%) acupuncture as adjunct to IVF | ||