• Fertility and Infertility: Toward the Integration of Two Research Traditions

• Trauma and Perinatal Outcomes: Exploring Psychological, Physiological, and Behavioral Processes
  

Presented by: Kami L. Schwerdtfeger and Karina M. Shreffler

Fertility and Infertility: Toward the Integration of Two Research Traditions
Presented by: Katherine M. Johnson, Karina M. Shreffler, Arthur L. Greil, and Julia McQuillan

Research on fertility and infertility constitute two distinct traditions, with differing theoretical frameworks, methodological approaches, and agendas. We approach the fertility/infertility dialectic primarily from the perspective of needing to understand how women think about becoming pregnant in order to understand how they respond to fertility barriers. Juxtaposing how fertility and infertility theorize fertility intent and desire shows implicit assumptions that shape each research tradition. For example, infertility researchers often assume general intent to conceive among women who do not contracept, and fertility researchers tend to assume planfulness towards fertility. Juxtaposing each tradition therefore raises useful questions that should provide a fuller understanding of variations in fertility intentions, responses to unintended pregnancies, and responses to involuntary childlessness.

We also suggest that a broadened concept of “reproductive careers can be an important tool for the integration of the two traditions. We conclude with the presentation of conceptual models that situate infertility within a broader fertility framework.

Presented by: Kami L. Schwerdtfeger and Karina M. Shreffler

While research in the field of trauma has provided important information regarding the consequences of traumatic experiences, far less is known about the impact of trauma on perinatal outcomes, such as miscarriage, preterm birth, low birth weight, and non-normative infant development. This paper presents a conceptual framework to guide future research exploring the possible pathways leading from maternal trauma to perinatal outcomes. The biopsychosocial framework was developed taking into account psychological, physiological, social and behavioral mechanisms and processes. Four specific factors are proposed as influencing perinatal outcomes among women with a history of trauma exposure, including psychological well-being, physiological characteristics, prenatal attachment, and prenatal health behaviors. Explanations of how these factors are theoretically linked are offered to clarify the framework.