THE PERCEPTIONS OF CHILDLESS WOMEN ON SURROGACY AS AN ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNIQUE (ART) IN LEBOWAKGOMO, CAPRICORN DISTRICT, LIMPOPO PROVINCE

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of childless women of surrogacy as an assistive reproductive technique.  Childless women in marriage experience psychological problems characterised by marital instability, divorce, stigmatisation and abuse. The objectives of the study were to (a) identify childless women, (b) determine their awareness and knowledge of surrogacy, (c) establish their values and beliefs on the issue of surrogacy, and (e) assess whether they would be willing to consider surrogacy as an option to address their infertility.  The study was qualitative and a case study design was used. Ten childless women were recruited from a social worker’s caseload.  Semi-structured interviews were conducted with these women and saturation was reached with the seventh participant.  Data were analysed thematically. The findings of the study suggest that childless women knew about surrogacy as an assisted reproductive technique and that they would consider the technique as an option to address their childlessness brought about by infertility.