[Attitudes Toward Motherhood and Fertility Preservation Among University Women: A Cross-Sectional StudyTítulo abreviado: Actitud sobre maternidad en universitarias].

In Chile, the total fertility rate (TFR) has dramatically decreased from 5,4 children per woman in 1962 to 1,17 in 2021. This decline is associated with delayed childbearing and the decision of many women not to have children. The factors driving this social and demographic transformation remain poorly understood.

Aim: To investigate how university women perceive their reproductive future, their intentions to have children, and their willingness to consider oocyte cryopreservation as a means of preserving fertility.

Methods: A semi-structured, self-administered survey was conducted among 1.020 female students at Universidad Diego Portales in Santiago, Chile. The survey addressed sociodemographic background, childbearing intentions, fertility knowledge, and attitudes towards oocyte cryopreservation. Data were analyzed using Stata MPV18 software.

Results: The average age of participants was 21 years. While most expressed concerns about their future, they also felt empowered to address these challenges. Altogether, 52% of women did not wish to have children, though 37,9% indicated they might reconsider this decision in the future. The key conditions for motherhood included having completed education (84,9%), job stability (91%), and economic autonomy (91,4%). Interestingly, only 30,4% of participants considered having a partner as essential to stablish motherhood and only 10,5% considers matrimony as a condition. Additionally, 47,3% expressed interest in oocyte cryopreservation to safeguard their fertility.

Conclusion: Motherhood is not a priority for most university women in Chile today. Most women plan to delay childbearing after age 30, once they have achieved financial and job stability. Fertility preservation is viewed as a valuable option for delaying motherhood. These findings highlight significant changes in young women's priorities and expectations regarding motherhood and reproductive autonomy.