Psychological aspects of in vitro fertilization: a review

This paper reviews psychological research within the context of in vitro fe rtilization (IVF). The focus will be on psychological reactions before ente ring an IVF-procedure, during an IVF-treatment, and after both unsuccessful and successful IVF. The effects of psychosocial factors on the treatment o utcome after IVF and interventions on conception rates will also be discuss ed. Undergoing an IVF-treatment is an emotional and physical burden, for both t he woman and her partner. Research results suggest that couples entering an IVF-treatment program are, in general, psychologically well adjusted. Conc erning reactions during the treatment, both women and men experience waitin g for the outcome of the IVF-treatment and an unsuccessful IVF, as most str essful. Common reactions during IVF an anxiety and depression, while after an unsuccessful IVF, feelings of sadness, depression and anger prevail. Aft er a successful IVF-treatment. IVF-parents experience more stress during pr egnancy than 'normal fertile' parents. Mothers with children conceived by I VF express a higher quality of parent-child relationship than mothers with a naturally conceived child. Research further suggests that psychosocial factors, like ineffective copin g strategies. anxiety and/or depression are associated with a lower pregnan cy rate following IVF-procedures. In addition, support has been found sugge sting that stress reduction through relaxation training or behavioral treat ment improves conception rates. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights r eserved.