Table 5.

Emergent themes from qualitative analysis

Future hopes	“If there is a chance, even slight, that fertility preservation could one day help my son have children...then I’d like to ensure I reserved that opportunity and choice for him” (Parent, TTCP, DR = 20, low regret) “I would like to have children one day, fertility preservation was a necessary and remarkable option to have given the potential dangers to fertility post-treatment from chemotherapy.” (Patient, sperm cryopreservation, DR = 0, low regret)
Decision making in behalf of patient	“At the time of diagnosis I was too young and immature to be making my own decisions about fertility preservation… I am happy a decision was made for me by an older individual.” (Patient, TTCP, DR = 0 low regret)
Fertility preservation as a back-up plan	“It acted as insurance in case I was no longer fertile after treatment. I was lucky in that I'm still fertile and no longer need fertility preservation but it made it a lot easier before…[when] I knew that [I had] a backup option.” (Patient, sperm cryopreservation, DR = 0, low regret) “It was …[a] back up option for me however if I didn't do it I know I would have regretted it.” (Patient, OTCP, DR = 10, low regret)
Other hopes	“We decided to take all possible measures for fertility preservation… I believe that I was given the best chance possible.” (Patient, OTCP, GnRHa and oocyte cryopreservation, DR = 0, low regret) “I think giving our son every chance to lead a normal life (including the opportunity to be a father) is very important” (Parent, 44 years, TTCP, DR = 0, low regret)
Parental responsibility	“… as parents we are giving our child every chance and opportunity for her future...” (Parent, OTCP, DR = 5, low regret) “Because we are giving her the best chance we can to have her own children if that is her choice…it wasn't up to us to decide at the age of 2 if she wanted the chance to be a mum...” (Parent, OTCP, DR = 0, low regret)
Experimental nature of available techniques	“It was too much for her to go through at the time and rather experimental for her age” (Parent no FP, DR = 25, low regret) “I didn’t feel that there were any realistic options” (Parent, no FP, DR = 30, high regret)
Risk to the individual patient	“Our decision was based more upon the immediate risk to [her] health having just undergone major surgery…” (Parent, no FP, DR = 10, low regret)
Current situation	“…As it was ovarian slices, not eggs, my IVF specialist is hesitant to use them as they may contain leukaemic cells- so therefore I will not use them. I wish they had frozen the eggs instead…” (Patient, OTCP, DR = 10, low regret)
FP not discussed prior to treatment	“I didn’t get to make [the decision] and I’m extremely lucky to have my baby now.” (Patient, No FP, DR = 95, high regret)
Dissatisfaction with the discussion process	“[I] still think it was the right decision as an option is better than no option in this situation… it was such an intense time I feel more information on pros/cons needs to be provided.” (Parent, TTCP, DR = 15, low regret) “I do not regret the decision.... the [discussion] was extremely rushed…and we perhaps did not get all the information on what follow up appointments etc. would be required....” (Parent, TTCP, DR = 0, low regret) “Discussion was at a very late stage, rushed and without time to adequately address fertility preservation process.” (Parent, sperm cryopreservation, DR = 85, high regret)

DR, decision regret; FP, fertility preservation; TTCP, testicular tissue cryopreservation; OTCP, ovarian tissue cryopreservation; GnRHa, gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue