S Ebrahimzadeh Zagami - Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
R Latifnejad Roudsari - Department of Midwifery, Research Center for Patient Safety, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
S Janghorban - Department of Midwifery, Community Based Psychiatric Care Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
S Mousavi Bazar - Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Background: Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) give hope to some infertile couples; however In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is expensive and not subsidized by the Iranian state.Objective: The aim of this paper is to describe the experiences of Iranian infertile couples after unsuccessful treatment.Materials and Methods: In a descriptive qualitative study 36 participants including 29 Iranian infertile couples recruited after unsuccessful ARTs treatment, five infertility treatment team members and two relatives of infertile couples, were interviewed at an Infertility Center in Northeastern Iran from April 2016 to June 2017. Data were collected using semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. Data analysis was carried out following Sandelowski (2000).Results: Iranian infertile couples’ experiences following failed ART cycles are described. The findings presented here show that Iranian infertile couples experience stressors during treatment cycles and systemic challenges which may be unique to the Iranian cultural context.Conclusion: Iranian infertile couples face particular challenges related to the cultural context in which ARTs are delivered. Further exploration of the effects of culture on the experiences of failed ARTs need to be considered by infertility clinics in Iran.

Assisted reproductive technologies, Infertile couples, Failed treatment cycles, Qualitative content analysis, Support