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 - Oklahoma State University, United States of America
Stacy Tiemeyer - Oklahoma State University, 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
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