Ingrid Kowalcek1. 1. Interdisziplinäres Forschungsinstitut für Frauengesundheit, Lübeck, Germany. Kowalcek@t-online.de
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A major criticism is the increase in multiple pregnancies after ART in the past 30 years and the associated fetal and maternal risks. MATERIAL: Few studies examined the psychosocial risks of the parents of multiple births after ART, for example psychology adjustment, parenting stress, education problems, anxiety, depression, relationship problems or social isolation. RESULTS: The research confirms the psychosocial characteristics after multiple births. In the early postpartum period there is increased risk of depressive disorders. Mothers of twins after ART show a limitation of their psychosocial well-being compared to mothers of singles after ART. DISCUSSION: Higher expectations of parenthood during pregnancy, less sufficiency coping strategies, and consequently, greater parental stress show twin mothers after ART in comparison to twin mothers after nature conception. An interdisciplinary postpartum care services makes sense. However, clinicians should keep attention to potential psychosocial burden of a multiple birth.
BACKGROUND: A major criticism is the increase in multiple pregnancies after ART in the past 30 years and the associated fetal and maternal risks. MATERIAL: Few studies examined the psychosocial risks of the parents of multiple births after ART, for example psychology adjustment, parenting stress, education problems, anxiety, depression, relationship problems or social isolation. RESULTS: The research confirms the psychosocial characteristics after multiple births. In the early postpartum period there is increased risk of depressive disorders. Mothers of twins after ART show a limitation of their psychosocial well-being compared to mothers of singles after ART. DISCUSSION: Higher expectations of parenthood during pregnancy, less sufficiency coping strategies, and consequently, greater parental stress show twin mothers after ART in comparison to twin mothers after nature conception. An interdisciplinary postpartum care services makes sense. However, clinicians should keep attention to potential psychosocial burden of a multiple birth.
Authors: Aafke P A van Montfoort; John C M Dumoulin; Jolande A Land; Edith Coonen; Josien G Derhaag; Johannes L H Evers Journal: Hum Reprod Date: 2004-11-18 Impact factor: 6.918
Authors: Ann I Scher; Bev Petterson; Eve Blair; Jonas H Ellenberg; Judy K Grether; Eric Haan; Dinah S Reddihough; Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp; Karin B Nelson Journal: Pediatr Res Date: 2002-11 Impact factor: 3.756
Authors: J de Mouzon; V Goossens; S Bhattacharya; J A Castilla; A P Ferraretti; V Korsak; M Kupka; K G Nygren; A Nyboe Andersen Journal: Hum Reprod Date: 2010-06-22 Impact factor: 6.918
Authors: Ann Thurin; Jon Hausken; Torbjörn Hillensjö; Barbara Jablonowska; Anja Pinborg; Annika Strandell; Christina Bergh Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2004-12-02 Impact factor: 91.245