Transition to parenting following IVF pregnancy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Parental expectations and the perceived reality of parenting in the first four months following IVF pregnancy
IRAS ID
144978
Contact name
Elizabeth Gale
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Greenwich
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 2 days
Research summary
The focus of this study is on how first time parents of singleton babies (this need not be first pregnancies, only a first live birth), conceived using IVF and using the couples' own sperm and ovum, interpret their transition to early parenthood.
As technologies and techniques improve in the field of assisted reproduction, the number of couples becoming parents through IVF is increasing. A review of the literature suggests that previous experiences of infertility are linked to a sense of failure and frustration, heightened by the cyclical nature of hopes raised and dashed. The associated interventions involve high anxiety, medical intrusion and a relinquishing of control. It is not known how, or if, these additional pressures influence the transition to parenthood.These couples will be focussed on as it may be that the psychological, physical and often financial demands of becoming parents may heighten expectation of parenthood for this group. Understanding of the experiences of these couples may assist health professionals in supporting them.
The study will be single site, at a local NHS Trust. Twenty couples will be interviewed antenatally at 34 weeks and twice more following delivery. At one of those interviews couples will be asked if they can be interviewed separately to identify any gender differences in responses. The interviews will be semi-structured using guiding questions and will be audio taped. Respondents will also be invited to keep a diary or journal over the period, which will be included in data analysis. Audio data will be transcribed by the researcher and thematic analysis undertaken on both interview and diary data. Parents will be in the study for one year.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SC/0002
Date of REC Opinion
12 Feb 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion