Queer Couples Trying to Conceive: Sexual Minority Women Couples’ Experiences with Assisted Reproduction

Introduction Clinically assisted reproduction has created opportunities for pregnancy and parenthood for many who experience fertility challenges. For decades, sexual minority women (SMW; defined in this article as non-heterosexual cisgender females) in same-sex couples have used assisted reproduction to help them form families of their own. Yet, little research has described SMW’s couple-level, shared experiences in the context of clinically intensive approaches to family expansion. Methods This paper examines couples’ shared experiences with assisted reproduction through qualitative analysis of 30 in-depth interviews conducted between June and August 2019. We recruited 20 sexual minority women who comprised 10 same-sex couples to participate in in-depth interviews and a brief survey. We applied thematic analysis to interviews (20 individual interviews, 10 dyadic interviews) to better understand couples’ shared experiences with assisted reproduction. Using four sorting groups based on relative experience with assisted reproduction (i.e., first timers; staying-the-course; pivoters; finally pregnant), we identified three themes that highlight dimensions of couple-level, shared experiences. Results Three broad themes were identified across the sample: (1) normative assumptions, (2) physical asymmetries in efforts to conceive, and (3) emotional dimensions of clinically assisted reproduction within couples. Conclusions Expanded understanding of SMW couples’ shared experiences suggests the need for policy modifications and tailored interventions to assist SMW couples navigating assisted reproduction. Policy Implications Multilevel approaches, for example, regulatory policies and health systems operational updates, may provide meaningful shifts in care for SMW couples.