Spiritual Needs and Concerns of Infertility Patients: A Literature Review

Undergoing infertility treatment greatly impacts people in every dimension of life, including their spiritual existence. Spirituality is an intrinsic part of human existence and comprises three essential attributes and two common qualities. The three key attributes are: (I) transcendence, (II) connectedness to self, others and the world, and (III) the human search for meaning and purpose. The two qualities that distinguish spirituality are (1) the capability for change and evolvement and (2) a personal way of 'being in the world.' However, very little attention has been paid in research to the specific spiritual needs of infertility patients. We conducted a narrative literature review to examine what is known, with the aim of coming to a thorough understanding of the spiritual concerns of patients of fertility clinics. Based on the search criteria, 48 studies from around the world were included. We found that spiritual concerns of infertility patients occur in the midst of life as it is lived. Analyzing the literature shows how the three attributes of patients' spirituality change profoundly, while the two qualities are revealed in the fluidity and open-ended nature of this change. We describe this change as the unraveling of the experienced unity of life. We conclude that current literature lacks a framework that looks at humanity as existing in and through relations. This would enhance the understanding of the spiritual needs of infertility patients.