EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS IN FOLLOW-UP OF WOMEN AFTER IVF-ET TREATMENT

One hundred and fifty-six women who enrolled for treatment in an in vitro fertilization (IVF-ET) program were interviewed, 15 months (mean interval) after the last program contact. Perceptions of treatment stress, decisions about fur- ther treatment and the extent of resolution of the infertility crisis were investigated. Standard self-report instruments were used to assess emotional status, self-esteem and marital ad- justment. The results showed that only about half thecouples who did not achieve pregnancy had decided to terminate treat- ment. Resolution of infertility was significantly correlated with coping with infertility and with the decision to abandon treatment. Although most patients described treatment as ex- tremely stressful, this did not itself result in emotional distress or dysfunction following treatment, and psychiatric syn- dromes were infrequent. A deeper understanding of the in- teractions of these identified factors would help all couples who confront unwanted infertility.