ESSENTIAL PRE-CONCEPTUAL MEASURES FOR THE FEMALE PARTNER BEFORE COMMENCING AN IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION PROGRAM

Two hundred and eighty-one women were checked for the presence of spec ific pre-conceptual data and their medico-legal implications prior to commencing an in vitro fertilisation (IVF) programme. In only 9.6 per cent were the results of a recent rubella test available in the patien ts referral notes. Fifty-four per cent were then tested in the unit. T wo per cent were found to be not immune, Thirty-six per cent of women needed a cervical smear prior to commencing therapy. No such test had been undertaken previously in 6.7 per cent and 12.7 per cent had abnor mal test results, Pre-conceptual intake of folic acid is considered an important preventative measure. The patient uptake rose from 15 per c ent to 97 per cent following specific advice.