Oocyte freezing intention for non-medical reasons: the interplay with childbearing intention, age and self efficacy

In recent years, the possibility for healthy women to consider or undertake oocyte freezing for non-medical reasons (OFNMR) allows women who want to have biological children, to enable motherhood at a later time, while protecting against age-related fertility decline. The present study explored the intended OFNMR among healthy Israeli women by looking at the interplay of age, childbearing intention and general self-efficacy–a personal resource. Two hundred fifty-one Israeli women were recruited through social networks and online forums related to women’s issues in general. Participants completed self-report questionnaires addressing socio-demographic data, childbearing intention, general self-efficacy, and OFNMR intention. The results revealed that the association between women’s age and OFNMR intention was insignificant. However, childbearing intention moderated the association between women’s age and OFNMR intention. Specifically, the association between age and OFNMR intention was positive and significant for women with childbearing intention while for women without childbearing intention, it was negative and significant. General self-efficacy was not found to be associated with OFNMR intention. The current study shed light on the role of childbearing intention in the context of fertility decisions, especially among women who verbalize their intention for OFNMR. Routine discussion between health-care professionals and women regarding childbearing intentions is recommended, especially with women nearing age-related decline in fertility.