The experiences of Australian lesbian couples becoming parents: deciding, searching and birthing

Journal of Clinical Nursing
Rose ChapmanLinda Shields

Abstract

To explore Australian lesbian mothers' experiences of becoming parents. Lesbians are becoming parents and, since legislative changes in Australia, their numbers are increasing. Prior to legislative changes, fertility and health services for women in Australia exclusively served the needs of the heterosexual community. Although lesbian experience of seeking health services has been studied in other contexts, little has been done to understand their experience of deciding, conceiving and birthing. Qualitative descriptive study. Seven interviews conducted with lesbian mothers in Australia. The following themes were identified: 'making the decision'; 'the search'; 'perseverance'; and 'problems of isolation'. Although legislation now affords lesbians access to reproductive technologies throughout most of Australia, their involvement with health professionals can result in homophobic interactions. One way to address the needs of lesbian families is to provide an environment where the disclosure of sexual identity is encouraged. Further larger scale research should identify changes to service provision required to address the inequalities between heterosexual and lesbian women and ensure health services are provided that are free from...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jan 14, 2016·Human Reproduction·K YoungM Kirkman
Aug 19, 2015·Reproductive Health Matters·Sheree R Schwartz, Stefan Baral
Aug 10, 2017·Journal of Clinical Nursing·Anna-Eva AndersenPernilla Garmy
Mar 27, 2020·Social Work in Health Care·Emma CarpenterJenny A Higgins
Oct 25, 2017·International Journal of Nursing Practice·Mercy Nhamo-Murire, Catriona Ida Macleod
Jan 5, 2021·Nursing Children and Young People·Lucille Kelsall-Knight
Nov 24, 2018·Women's Health Issues : Official Publication of the Jacobs Institute of Women's Health·Gilbert GonzalesLaura Attanasio
Mar 12, 2019·MCN. the American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing·Nina A Juntereal, Diane L Spatz

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