New reproductive technologies and women’s identities in infertility: Analysis of on-line sources in Bulgaria

Abstract

Background: This paper aims to highlight local discourses of new reproductive technologies (NRT) and practices, implemented by women in Bulgaria, and their relevance to women’s identity construction. Methods: Data includes personal stories of NRT treatments provided on public on-line discussions of infertility. Data is downloaded from the period of 2010-2015 from selected forums and analyzed through a discourse analytic approach using Atlas.ti software. Findings: We identify the following discourses regarding NRTs and women’s identity in the context of infertility: Infertility as a biological deviation easily corrected by technology; Women as proactive and informed consumers; Success though hope, persistence and not giving up; Women sharing their experience openly in order to help others; Adoration of the “baby doctorsâ€. Discussion: When compared with discourses identified in our work from 2000-2010, we see shifts in discourses surrounding infertility, technology and consumerism of infertility treatments. The wide accessibility and insurance coverage of NRTs has shifted meanings and discourses of infertility for Bulgarian women from those associated with stigma, shame and an identity of defectiveness, to a proactive and pragmatic identity empowered by technology.