| Description |
Today, we are increasingly faced with decisions that deviate from traditionally accepted paths and expectations. One important manifestation of this trend is the growing number of women who have voluntarily chosen not to have children. This life decision is not just a personal choice for each woman, but often becomes the subject of social debates about what is 'acceptable' and 'normal'. A number of ethical dilemmas resonate in these discussions, and in the context of gynaecological care we consider primarily the dilemmas associated with autonomy, respect and support for women who have chosen to be childfree. As part of the qualitative research, semi-structured interviews were conducted and subsequently analysed with childfree women about their experience of the decision to voluntarily never have children and the impact of this decision on their lives. Results Preliminary results of a qualitative study on the experience of childfree women show several themes that capture their experience. One factor that is interwoven into their experience is the reactions of gynaecologists. Women describe a range of reactions from understanding and support, to acceptance of their decision, to misunderstanding, condemning or questioning their competence in their decision not to have children and questioning their overall autonomy and freedom in reproductive matters. Women describe different coping strategies in these situations, in extreme cases going as far as avoiding visits to the gynaecologist in an attempt to prevent possible confrontation of views and attitudes. Specific situations are the requests of these women to undergo sterilisation as a form of irreversible and permanent contraception. This tends to come with a number of other unique challenges that often further contribute to mutual misunderstanding and frustration between women and doctors. These include, for example, the frequent misinformation and misleading information that women have about the procedure, as they are more likely to seek it from unprofessional and untrustworthy sources to avoid conflicts with doctors, with doctors then having to refute this information. Women also mention the perceived need to defend their decision and express concern that doctors will provide false and biased information about sterilisation as a contraceptive method based on their own beliefs. The aim of this presentation is to present the first preliminary results of qualitative research with childfree women about their decision and the impact of this decision on their lives. In particular, the paper focuses on the specific topic of the importance of gynaecologist's reactions and communication between them and women regarding their decision to voluntarily not have children. Retrieved from preliminary results are put in the context of the common ethical considerations associated with childfree women and possible undergoing sterilisation. These include in particular the search for a boundary between respect for patient autonomy, medical paternalism. At the same time, we reflect and take into account the attitudes of gynaecologists and the challenges they face as a result of their own professional or personal beliefs. We can include concerns about potential regret, giving all necessary information about the procedure, including consideration of surgical complications, offering alternative contraceptive methods, but also, for example, the religious affiliation of the doctor or workplace. Therefore, the paper also emphasizes the need for mutual respect and understanding in communication, both on the part of physicians and women, in order to allow for effective mutual communication, open and empathetic dialogue, and support for diversity in women's reproductive decisions.
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