Objectives To estimate the population prevalence of clinically significant symptoms of depression, generalised anxiety, thoughts of being better off dead, irritability, and high optimism about the f...

AJA publishes new findings in basic and clinical (including modern, traditional and epidemiological) research on Andrology.

The aim of this research was to increase understanding of how women feel about the experience of IVF 2–3 years after ceasing treatment. A questionnaire covering issues relating to infertility and the value of the experience of IVF together with three self-report measures [Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), Golombok Rust Inventory of Marital State (GRIMS) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12)] were mailed to all women (n = 229) who had their last contact with the clinic in 1994. The response rate was 55%. Having a baby positively influenced the recall of the IVF experience. Women who did not have a baby were more critical about the clinic and more negative about the experience of treatment but did not regret having tried IVF. These women had statistically significantly lower scores on SWLS but did not differ from those with babies on GRIMS and GHQ-12 scales. The results give insight into how women look back on the IVF experience and what aspects of treatment they recall as particularly difficult. The findings can be used by providers of IVF to implement strategies that may reduce stress and improve the patients' well-being.

It is known that infertility affects emotional well-being, satisfaction with life and self-esteem and that failed assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment is associated with diminished life satisfaction, reduced self-confidence and substantial psychological distress. Investigations of whether these persist when treatment results in a pregnancy and live birth have been undertaken. A systematic search for English-language research articles on psychological and social aspects of pregnancy, childbirth and the first post-partum year after ART conception. Of 466 retrieved papers, 46 met inclusion criteria. These reported data from 28 studies. There is consistent evidence that marital satisfaction, emotional well-being and self-regard in pregnancy, attachment to the fetus and parent–infant relationship in ART groups are similar to comparison groups. Anxiety about the survival of the fetus and early parenting difficulties appear to be higher and post-natal self-confidence lower. Evidence about adjustment to pregnancy and parenthood and the experience of childbirth is inconclusive and reports of parental perceptions of infant temperament and behaviour are contradictory. Between-study methodological differences may explain the lack of consistency in findings of the influence of infertility and ART on some aspects of the transition to parenthood. Overall, this body of evidence is best described as emergent. It is possible that in pregnancy after ART, parenthood might be idealized and this might then hinder adjustment and the development of a confident parental identity.