How do women 40-years-old & above make sense of IVF ineligibility v1.1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
How women aged 40-years-old and above make sense of ineligibility for National Health Service (NHS) funded in vitro fertilisation (IVF): A qualitative study of lived experience and perceptions
IRAS ID
358404
Contact name
Faye Hont
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 7 months, 1 days
Research summary
A qualitative design using semi-structured interviews will be used to explore participants thoughts and feelings in relation to the study’s aims. Interviews will be conducted face-to-face or via Microsoft Teams. Demographic data (age, relationship status, employment, education, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, parental status, pregnancy history) will be collected pre-interview. The interviews will be audio recorded and anonymously transcribed. The data will be analysed using thematic analysis to identify themes.
Participants will be recruited through Liverpool Women’s Hospital. Participants must be cisgender women 40 years old and above who were advised they did not meet the eligibility criteria for NHS-funded IVF within the past 12 months. Participants must not be currently undergoing self-funded IVF and must not have previously undergone IVF. Participants must speak English. A minimum of 12 participants will be recruited, with recruitment continuing until data saturation is reached, which is anticipated to occur between 12 and 15 participants.
Study objectives-
1. To explore the psychological impact on women 40 years old and above who have been advised they are ineligible for NHS-funded IVF.
2. To explore the role of identity in women 40 years old and above who have been advised they are ineligible for NHS-funded IVF.
3. To explore the perceived need for psychological support in women 40 years old and above who have been advised they are ineligible for NHS-funded IVF.
4. To explore what women 40 years old and above, who have been advised they are ineligible for NHS-funded IVF, perceive as effective psychological support.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/EM/0076
Date of REC Opinion
7 May 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion