In-vitro fertilization: The experience of treatment, pregnancy and delivery

Abstract

The present study compares the experience of pregnancy and delivery among in-vitro fertilization (IVF) parents (45 couples), other formerly infertile parents (35 couples) and fertile parents (35 couples). All deliveries concerned primaparous women and singleton births. In addition, the burden of fertility treatments was investigated. Results show that the psychological burden of the treatments exceeds the physical burden. Fertility treatments were judged very worthwhile. Complications during pregnancy were more frequently reported by IVF mothers and other initially infertile mothers than by fertile mothers. However, controlling for the older age in both formerly infertile groups (IVF and non-IVF), no significant difference was found. No differences appeared regarding the evaluation of the development of the delivery. IVF parents and other infertile parents evaluated the pregnancy as more stressful than fertile parents. However, mothers experienced their delivery as more exceptional, and fathers experienced the pregnancy as more exceptional. In addition, IVF fathers enjoyed the pregnancy more than fathers from the other groups.