Abstract
BACKGROUND: Since the onset of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) symptoms among females is usually in the reproductive years, issues regarding pregnancy and childbearing are prevalent. Relatively few studies have focused on the fertility concerns of women with IBD. PURPOSE: To comprehensively explore the fertility concerns of women with IBD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This qualitative descriptive study involved 17 IBD patients recruited from Hangzhou. Participants were recruited via maximum variation purposive sampling. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted, and transcriptions were analysed through conventional content analysis to identify key themes. RESULTS: Four themes related to fertility concerns among women with IBD were identified: (1) self-concern, (2) worry about pregnancy, (3) worry about children, and (4) expectation of fertility-related support. CONCLUSION: This study examined childbearing concerns among women of reproductive age with IBD, including personal worries, pregnancy fears, and support needs. The findings indicated that healthcare providers can reduce anxiety and improve quality of life by offering medical support, pre-pregnancy education, multidisciplinary care, and family/social backing.