Discussion
In this study we describe the contrast between participants’ overwhelmingly negative experiences with the diagnosis of AUFI with the positive transformative experience of UTx. Specifically, AUFI challenged the female identity of participants while UTx enhanced it. Moreover, we found that participants conceptualised UTx as an expansion of reproductive freedom. They emphasised the intensely personal nature of reproductive decisions and did not believe that the option of UTx created undue pressure on them to choose UTx over alternative parenthood options. Our findings inform the ethical discourse on the value of UTx, the role of UTx in discussions of reproductive autonomy, and strategies for expanding the field of UTx.