فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

BACKGROUND: Surrogacy has become an alternative family formation option for women who areunable to carry a pregnancy. There is no comprehensive care program despite the different nature ofthis pregnancy. The present study aimed to develop a reproductive health‑care program for surrogatemothers within the cultural and social context of Iran.MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present sequential exploratory mixed methods study, firstthrough a qualitative approach surrogate mothers, care providers, and policy makers of reproductivehealth services were selected purposefully. Data were collected by using the in‑depth semi‑structuredinterviews and analyzed. A care program draft was designed by integrating results of the qualitativestudy and reviewing the literature and guidelines, then appropriateness of each proposed care wasassessed by a two‑Rounds Delphi technique (RAM), and the final reproductive health‑care programfor surrogate mothers was developed.RESULTS: The surrogate mothers’ reproductive health needs were summarized in four maincategories: surrogate mothers’ extra care, educational training, psychological support, and protectingagainst surrogacy`s social and familial consequences. The reproductive health‑care program forsurrogate mothers were developed in four sections: prepregnancy health screenings and legalcounseling; special care during embryo transfer until pregnancy confirmation; psychological supportand prenatal care of surrogacy until delivery and follow‑up postpartum care.CONCLUSION: Women face many challenges in surrogacy and need special care such as legalcounseling, reproductive health care, and psychological support. Implementation of this care programseems to help improve the reproductive health of these mothers.