Characteristics and attitudes of parents of children born with the use of assisted reproductive technology

Abstract

Objective: To explore the medical issues, attitudes, concerns, and choices that parents have about their children born with the use of assisted reproductive technology (ART). Design: Retrospective and prospective survey. Setting: An academic medical center and a private practice. Patient(s): Participants who conceived and were delivered of infants in two ART programs. Intervention(s): A total of 373 patients were mailed an anonymous survey, a consent form, and the Parent Child Relationship Inventory. The rate of response was approximately 49% for clinic A and 33% for clinic B. Main Outcome Measure(s): Pregnancy outcomes and attitudes about parenting. Result(s): Respondents' major concerns during pregnancy revolved around miscarriage and the infant's health; complications occurred in 38.9% of first pregnancies. Parents believed that their children were more appreciated, that their children were not emotionally different, that ART did not create ongoing medical or emotional problems, and they were not overprotective as parents. Gender differences were statistically significant on attitudinal variables. Conclusion(s): Parents had concerns about pregnancy. Overall, men and women felt positive about ART and their parenting. The ART experience is associated with complex choices, attitudes, and emotions.