Relationships and parenthood in couples after assisted reproduction and in spontaneous primiparous couples: a prospective long-term follow-up study

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyse relationships and parenthood in primiparous IVF couples and spontaneous primiparous couples. METHOD: In total, 110 consecutive IVF couples were studied. The control group was matched for women's age and selected out of the total spontaneous pregn...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Human reproduction (Oxford) 2002-12, Vol.17 (12), p.3242-3250
Main Authors: Sydsjö, Gunilla, Wadsby, Marie, Kjellberg, Svante, Sydsjö, Adam
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Bioethics
Biological and medical sciences
Birth control
child behaviour
couples’ relationships
Delivery, Obstetric - methods
Female
Fertilization in Vitro - psychology
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
Health Status
Humans
Infant
Infant Behavior
Infant Welfare
Infant, Newborn
infertility
Interpersonal Relations
Male
Medical sciences
MEDICIN
MEDICINE
parental health
Parents - psychology
Parity
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Outcome
Sterility. Assisted procreation
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyse relationships and parenthood in primiparous IVF couples and spontaneous primiparous couples. METHOD: In total, 110 consecutive IVF couples were studied. The control group was matched for women's age and selected out of the total spontaneous pregnant population in the study area. Questionnaires and semi-structured telephone interviews were used to gain information about sociodemographic data, couples’ relationships, and the children’s health, temperament and behaviour. Obstetrical variables concerning the course and outcome of pregnancy and delivery as well as the health status of the new-borns were obtained from standardized antenatal care and delivery files. RESULTS: There were no differences concerning gestational age, mode of delivery or neonatal health between the two groups. The IVF couples were more stable over time—from pregnancy until the child was 1 year old—in their relationship, while the control group experienced a decrease in marital satisfaction. The children in the IVF group were assessed by their parents as being more regular/habitual, sensitive and manageable than the control children. CONCLUSION: The differences present between the groups were in favour of the IVF families, and the effects of the infertility crisis were not notable when the children were 1 year old.
ISSN:0268-1161
1460-2350
1460-2350
DOI:10.1093/humrep/17.12.3242