Perceptions of childless women on surrogacy as an assisted reproductive technique at Capricorn District, Lepelle Nkumpi Municipality

Abstract

Involuntary childlessness and infertility affects women from various cultural and religious backgrounds. Childless women suffer from social and psychological ailments because of their circumstances. Previous research reveals that women who suffer from infertility and childlessness experience social exclusion and ridicule from their women folk who have children. In South Africa reproduction is a human right and everyone is allowed to make decisions on whether or not they should have children. Surrogacy as an assisted reproductive technique is allowed and governed through the Children’s Act 38 of 2005. However, the knowledge of childless women on surrogacy, their belief system and willingness to take up surrogacy as a way to have children is unknown to the researcher. The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of childless women on surrogacy as an assisted reproductive technique. The study was exploratory and qualitative in nature. The participants were identified through purposive and snowball sampling. Data was collected until saturation point and seven participants were interviewed. Unstructured, face to face interviews were conducted. An audio recorder was utilised during the interviews. Thematic analysis was employed in data analysis and trustworthiness was used to establish the credibility, transferability, dependability and conformability of the study. Most women in this study mentioned that they had heard and were aware of surrogacy but they were not well-informed about the relevant legislation. Women in this study were willing to take up surrogacy as an option to have their own children.