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The influence of maternal and paternal factors on time to pregnancy—a Dutch population-based birth-cohort study: the GECKO Drenthe study

BACKGROUND Both maternal and paternal factors have been suggested to influence a couple's fecundity. To investigate this, we examined the role of several maternal and paternal lifestyle and socio-demographic factors as determinants of time to pregnancy (TTP) in a Dutch birth-cohort. METHODS Gro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Human reproduction (Oxford) 2012-02, Vol.27 (2), p.583-593
Main Authors: Mutsaerts, M.A.Q., Groen, H., Huiting, H.G., Kuchenbecker, W.K.H., Sauer, P.J.J., Land, J.A., Stolk, R.P., Hoek, A.
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Language:English
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Summary:BACKGROUND Both maternal and paternal factors have been suggested to influence a couple's fecundity. To investigate this, we examined the role of several maternal and paternal lifestyle and socio-demographic factors as determinants of time to pregnancy (TTP) in a Dutch birth-cohort. METHODS Groningen Expert Center for Kids with Obesity (GECKO) Drenthe is a population-based birth-cohort study of children born between April 2006 and April 2007 in Drenthe, a province of The Netherlands. Both partners received extensive questionnaires during pregnancy. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses were used to determine the impact of the investigated factors on TTP. RESULTS A total of 4778 children were born, and the parents of 2997 children (63%) gave their consent to participate. After excluding unintended pregnancies and pregnancies as a result of fertility treatment, the data of 1924 couples were available for analysis. Hazards ratios and 95% confidence intervals of factors influencing TTP in multivariable Cox regression analysis were: maternal age 1.23 (0.98–1.54) for age 35 years (reference category: 30–35 years); paternal age: 1.31 (0.94–1.82) for age 35 years (reference category: 30–35 years); nulliparity: 0.76 (0.68–0.85) versus multiparity; menstrual cycle length: 1.12 (0.95–1.30) for 3 weeks, 0.72 (0.62–0.83) for 4–6 weeks, 0.68 (0.40–1.16) for >6 weeks and 0.66 (0.54–0.81) for irregular cycle (reference category: 4 weeks); prior contraceptive use: 0.78 (0.67–0.91) for no contraception, 1.68 (1.45–1.95) for condom use, 1.08 (0.89–1.33) for condom use combined with oral contraception, 1.40 (1.16–1.70) for intrauterine device and 0.50 (0.25–1.01) for contraceptive injection (reference category: oral contraception); and maternal educational level 0.75 (0.62–0.92) for low education level and 0.81 (0.73–0.90) for medium educational level (reference category: high educational level). CONCLUSIONS This population-based birth-cohort study performed in fertile couples who had conceived revealed neither maternal nor paternal modifiable lifestyle factors were significantly associated with TTP after adjustment for confounding by socio-demographic factors. In contrast, several non-modifiable maternal socio-demographic factors are significant predictors of a couple's fecundity.
ISSN:0268-1161
1460-2350
DOI:10.1093/humrep/der429