Correlation between depression, anxiety, and nausea and vomiting during pregnancy in an in vitro fertilization population – A pilot study

Abstract

The study objective is to compare the prevalence of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) in singleton and twin gestations conceived via in vitro fertilization (IVF), and to analyze the impact of associated psychological factors. A cohort study on 45 singleton and 12 twin gestations was conducted at an academic practice. Three validated questionnaires assessing anxiety; depression; and NVP at baseline, 10–12 weeks, and 20–22 weeks gestation were used. The prevalence of NVP was compared between twins and singletons and its association with depression and anxiety was determined. Significantly more subjects with twin pregnancies reported NVP at 10–12 weeks of gestation. NVP was not associated with baseline depression or anxiety scores. There were no differences in depression scores between the groups at any time. A trend toward higher anxiety scores among twin gestations at 10–12 weeks was significant at 20–22 weeks. Within the twin group, anxiety scores remained stable, but scores for singletons decreased significantly from 10–12 weeks to 20–22 weeks. NVP is more common in the first trimester in twins compared with singletons following IVF. In IVF pregnancies, anxiety scores, but not depression scores, are higher in women with twin gestations. Women undergoing infertility treatment should be counseled accordingly when discussing the risks associated with multiple gestations.

Keywords::

• Anxiety scores
• depression scores
• in vitro fertilization
• nausea and vomiting of pregnancy
• multiple gestations

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Current knowledge on this subject

• There is an established link between nausea and vomiting of pregnancy and psychopathology, in particular depression and anxiety.

• There is an increased prevalence of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy in twin gestations.

• There is minimal prospective investigation of these relationships.

What this study adds

• This study prospectively analyzes the prevalence of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, anxiety and depression in IVF patients at three time points in early pregnancy.

• In IVF pregnancies, anxiety scores, but not depression scores, are higher in women with twin gestations.

• Women undergoing infertility treatment should be counseled accordingly when discussing the risks associated with multiple gestations.