Women's Experiences of Short Cycle In-vitro Fertilisation
type: CreativeWork
description: This research project explored women’s constructions of their experiences of undergoing a short cycle protocol of in-vitro fertilisation for infertility treatment. A qualitative research design was used, utilising five face-to-face and two phone interviews with women who had undergone this type of IVF protocol, to explore their constructions of the experience. A synthesised, critical discursive psychology approach was employed for data analysis, revealing four main repertoires which women used to understand their experience of short cycle IVF. These included constructions of short cycle IVF as more natural, more manageable, a better investment and finally, representing a more informed choice. These repertoires served to position women in such ways that they exercised agency and choice throughout their IVF process, resisting the notion of a patient as passive and lacking control.
abstract: This research project explored women’s constructions of their experiences of undergoing a short cycle protocol of in-vitro fertilisation for infertility treatment. A qualitative research design was used, utilising five face-to-face and two phone interviews with women who had undergone this type of IVF protocol, to explore their constructions of the experience. A synthesised, critical discursive psychology approach was employed for data analysis, revealing four main repertoires which women used to understand their experience of short cycle IVF. These included constructions of short cycle IVF as more natural, more manageable, a better investment and finally, representing a more informed choice. These repertoires served to position women in such ways that they exercised agency and choice throughout their IVF process, resisting the notion of a patient as passive and lacking control.
author: Balfour, Sarah Elizabeth
keywords: Short cycle IVF, Discursive psychology, Infertility
date published: 2010
date modified: 2026-07-27T18:45:57Z
provider: AUT University
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: AUT University