Husbands’ Experiences When Their Wives Hospitalized Receiving Treatment with Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome

Hsiu-Neng Chang and Yi-Li Ko

Abstract

This study investigated the subjective experiences of the husbands’ role transition when their wives hospitalized receiving treatment with Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS). Ten husbands participated in the study by completing interviews. Seven of the couples in the study later successfully conceived, average gestation of the participant’s wives was 2-3 weeks and the women were already experiencing abdominal distention hospitalization for OHSS. Lincoln and Guba’s trustworthiness criteria were employed to evaluate methodological rigor. Colaizzi’s phenomenological approach was used to analyze the structure of the experience. Six themes emerged: uncertainty due to lack of OHSS knowledge, multiple roles stress, and adjustment to wives ‘ mood swing, helplessness, wives as the focus of life, and supporting whatever the result of pregnancy. The results provide a scientific basis for professionals to assist with husband’s role transition in infertility procedure in a more sensitive manner.