Maryam Salimi, Saba Akbari,
Volume 25, Issue 99 (10-2026)
Abstract
Background: Repeated failures in assisted reproductive treatments, particularly in vitro fertilization (IVF), are not merely medical experiences but involve profound psychological, social, and identity-related consequences for women. Despite technological advances in infertility treatment, understanding the lived experience of women facing repeated cycles of failure requires qualitative investigation. This study aimed to explore the experience of “living in the cycle of hope and despair” among women with a history of multiple unsuccessful IVF treatments.Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using a descriptive phenomenological approach. The sample consisted of 12 women who had undergone at least three unsuccessful IVF cycles and were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step method. MAXQDA version 20 software was employed for data management and organization.Findings: Data analysis revealed six main themes: “the cycle of hope–despair throughout treatment,” “disintegration and redefinition of maternal identity,” “experiencing time suspended in expectancy,” “socio-cultural pressures surrounding motherhood,” “emotional loneliness and complexities in marital relationships,” and “adaptation and meaning reconstruction.” Repeated IVF failures evoke a multidimensional experience of grief, identity crisis, and reconsideration of motherhood’s meaning and life’s future. Women cope with these challenges through diverse strategies such as redefining hope, relying on supportive resources, and reconstructing life meaning.Conclusion: The experience of repeated IVF failures transcends a mere medical event, representing a complex process involving confrontation with loss, social pressures, and identity reconstruction. The findings emphasize the necessity for integrating psychological and social support within infertility treatment services and designing interventions based on meaning and resilience for women undergoing treatment.
