Survey Reveals Women Trying to Get Pregnant Report Loneliness and Self-Blame
May 02 2024 - 9:36AM
Business Wire
62% underestimated how emotional journey to
pregnancy would be, reinforcing need for adequate resources and
education about infertility experience
A new survey commissioned by First Response™ in collaboration
with RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association shows that women
report feeling lonely, blame themselves and find misinformation as
they are trying to get pregnant. The survey of 1,000 U.S. women
ages 25-34 who were actively trying to conceive in the last 12
months found that a majority of women (62%) wish they knew how
emotional the journey would be and 39% underestimated how lonely
they would feel. More than two-thirds of women trying to conceive
(68%) are worried about their ability to become pregnant and
one-third were concerned that not being able to get pregnant would
be their fault (32%).
“While trying to start or grow your family is a joyous time, it
can be filled with worry and stress, especially if you are
struggling to get pregnant,” said Barbara Collura, President and
CEO of RESOLVE. “We understand the multitude of concerns and
emotions experienced during this time, and the survey results
reaffirm the importance of ensuring women and couples have the
support they need as they go through their pregnancy journeys. That
is why we, along with long-standing partners like First Response,
continue to build and put resources into our support groups and
educational activities like National Infertility Awareness Week
(NIAW), to let them know their experiences are completely
valid.”
Globally, 1 in 6 people are affected by infertility and 1 in 7
women in the U.S., ages 15-49, have trouble getting pregnant or
sustaining a pregnancy. More than 3 in 5 women currently trying to
conceive (63%) know someone who has experienced infertility,
including 41% who have a close friend or family member who has
experienced it. The results also found:
- 77% did not think about their ability to get pregnant until
after they decided to try for a baby.
- A majority (57%) didn’t realize how long it would take to get
pregnant.
- Almost 2 in 5 women who are trying (38%) wish they knew how
much conflicting information there was before they began attempting
to get pregnant.
- While over half have talked to friends (57%) or family members
(56%), only 42% have spoken to a health care provider and 24%
discussed their pregnancy journey with a mental health expert. Only
16% sought out a support group to talk to.
- 93% of women believe at least three misconceptions about trying
to get pregnant when given a knowledge test about common facts
regarding pregnancy. Among the most common myths believed to be
true are that long-term birth control use affects fertility and
that infertility can only be addressed through in vitro
fertilization (50%) or intrauterine insemination (21%).
“It is encouraging to see that more people are opening up to
loved ones about their fertility journey, but we have more work to
do when it comes to increasing the dialogue on how it changes
people’s lives,” said Elizabeth Grill, Psy.D., Director of
Psychological Services at the Center for Reproductive Medicine at
Weill Cornell Medicine and RESOLVE Board Chair. “Once someone gets
to the point that they are dealing with infertility, they often
feel isolated and discouraged. Prioritizing conversations about
mental and emotional health early on can help ensure resources are
available from day one of trying to conceive.”
Support Desert
When dealing with infertility, support is very crucial. However,
not everyone has access. More than 2 in 5 women trying to conceive
(42%) do not have local access to infertility support groups and
treatment. Rural women – 62% - feel they have even less access.
Additionally, 41% are concerned they don’t know what resources are
available to them. Women who have access to local infertility
support groups and treatments are more than twice as likely to use
these resources (21% vs. 10% without access). This can empower
women to reach out to others as well. Women with access to
infertility support groups and treatment in their area report that
they are more likely to reach out to family members (59%) or health
care and mental health providers (56%) than those without options
in their communities.
For nearly 20 years, First Response has supported RESOLVE’s
mission to empower the infertility community through providing
resources and support for individuals and couples on their family
building journey. RESOLVE’s website has many resources that
empower, educate and equip couples that can help address roadblocks
in conceiving, including free support groups. The Pregnancy Hub by
First Response™ serves as another resource for the infertility
community that aims to connect and inspire those navigating trying
to conceive.
“Everyone’s path to pregnancy is different and First Response is
committed to providing resources and education for every pregnancy
journey,” said Amala Ifediora, Brand Manager for First Response.
“Our enduring partnership with RESOLVE and support of NIAW is an
important aspect to building awareness of infertility challenges
and furthering the conversation of what that experience is like. We
are so honored to collaborate with RESOLVE on this survey to
highlight how women are currently feeling when it comes to trying
to conceive.”
Founded in 1989 by RESOLVE, NIAW is a movement to break down
barriers for people who need help building their families and
empowers them to share their stories. Visit
infertilityawareness.org and follow @resolveorg and
@firstresponsepregnancy on social media to learn more about NIAW
2024.
Survey Methodology
The survey was conducted by Wakefield Research
(www.wakefieldresearch.com) among 1,000 U.S. women, ages 25-34, who
have been trying to conceive over the past 12 months, “Trying to
Conceive” defined as trying to get pregnant either naturally or
with assistance, between March 27 and April 7, 2024, using an email
invitation and an online survey.
About RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association:
Established in 1974, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association
is a non-profit organization with the only established nationwide
network mandated to promote reproductive health and to ensure equal
access to all family-building options for anyone experiencing
infertility or challenges in building their family. One in eight
U.S. couples of childbearing age has trouble conceiving or carrying
a pregnancy to term. RESOLVE addresses this public health issue by
providing community to all who need it, connecting them with others
who can help, empowering them to find resolution and giving voice
to their demands for access to all family-building options. For
more information, visit www.RESOLVE.org.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240502706113/en/
RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association Rebecca
Flick rebecca.flick@resolve.org 703-556-7172
GCW Agency Riley DeWolf riley@gcw.agency 646-964-4446