WOMEN who are afflicted with unexplained infertility will be the focus of a new study being carried out by Victoria University masters student Sarah Palmer.
Ms Palmer aims to explore the spiritual experiences women undergo when they are diagnosed as infertile.
“Infertility is defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy or carry a child to term after one year of unprotected sexual intercourse,” she said. “It is estimated that about 10 per cent of infertility cases can not be explained following medical investigations.
“It is important to point out that the diagnosis is not a reality in most cases until couples decide or desire to have a child.”
Ms Palmer is calling for women aged 25 and over who are infertile and whose condition medical experts cannot explain.
The women must also have been trying to conceive for 12 months or more and be willing to explore spiritual concepts.
“I would like to look at the spiritual aspect, how they would use spirituality to cope or how they don’t cope – some women lose faith,” Ms Palmer said. “I’m very interested in spirituality and well being and how it affects people’s health. There is very little attention paid to that area of spirituality and health.”
Ms Palmer said infertility was associated with issues of loss, grief and frustration.
“Some women feel very strongly that they want to have children … often women feel frustrated, they think ‘why can’t I get pregnant?’ For some women it creates meaning to have a family, children create meaning in their life.”
Ms Palmer said most research into infertility centred around its causes. Her research will be one of the first studies to look at the spiritual aspect of infertility and she intends to share the findings with medical experts.
Women who want to take part in the program can contact Ms Palmer on 0414 859 305 or sarah.palmer@vu.edu.au