Volume 35 - Article 39 | Pages 1149–1168
Infertility and fertility intentions, desires, and outcomes among US women
Date received: | 24 Jun 2015 |
Date published: | 20 Oct 2016 |
Word count: | 2407 |
Keywords: | births, fertility, fertility intentions, infertility, National Survey of Fertility Barriers (NSFB) |
DOI: | 10.4054/DemRes.2016.35.39 |
Abstract
Objective: Little is known about how the experience of infertility or identification as someone with infertility shapes women’s fertility intentions, desires, or birth outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to help fill this gap in knowledge for fertility-intentions research.
Methods: Using data from the National Survey of Fertility Barriers (NSFB), we use linear and logistic regression methods to assess how infertility and parity statuses are associated with fertility intentions and desires, as well as how statuses at one point in time predict birth three years later.
Results: We find that infertility is associated with lower fertility intentions. Women who have experienced infertility and/or identify as a person with infertility, however, express greater desires to have a baby and a higher ideal number of children. Women who meet the medical criteria for infertility are less likely than fecund women to give birth, despite greater desires.
Conclusions: These findings have important theoretical implications for our understanding of the meaning of fertility intentions for those who think their ability to achieve their intentions is uncertain, as well as for empirical research on fertility.
Author's Affiliation
Karina Shreffler - University of Oklahoma, United States of America
Stacy Tiemeyer - University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, United States of America
Cassandra Dorius - Iowa State University, United States of America
Tiffany Spierling - Oklahoma State University, United States of America
Arthur Greil - Alfred University, United States of America
Julia McQuillan - University of Nebraska–Lincoln, United States of America
Other articles by the same author/authors in Demographic Research
»
Stability and change in personal fertility ideals among U.S. women in heterosexual relationships
Volume 39 - Article 16
Most recent similar articles in Demographic Research
»
Childbearing intentions among Egyptian men and women: The role of gender-equitable attitudes and women’s empowerment
Volume 44 - Article 51 | Keywords: fertility, fertility intentions
»
The geographical patterns of birth seasonality in Australia
Volume 43 - Article 40 | Keywords: births, fertility
»
Transitions to partnership and parenthood: Is China still traditional?
Volume 43 - Article 6 | Keywords: births, fertility
»
Contraceptive use and lengthening birth intervals in rural and urban Eastern Africa
Volume 38 - Article 64 | Keywords: fertility, fertility intentions
»
Are daughters’ childbearing intentions related to their mothers’ socio-economic status?
Volume 35 - Article 21 | Keywords: fertility, fertility intentions
Articles
Citations
Cited References: 24
»View the references of this article
Download to Citation Manager
Similar Articles
PubMed
»Articles by Tiffany Spierling
Google Scholar
»Articles by Tiffany Spierling