Sleep quality, perceived stress and associated factors in women undergoing IVF treatment: short-term longitudinal study

ABSTRACT

Background

Despite limited studies in the literature, it is hypothesised that lifestyle factors are modifiable habits that have an impact on couples’ fertility health. However, the relationship between sleep quality and infertility is an area that needs to be clarified.

Objective

To determine sleep quality and associated factors in women receiving in vitro fertilisation treatment and to evaluate the changes in sleep over the treatment cycle.

Methods

This is a longitudinal descriptive study conducted on 158 women in two infertility centres in Izmir, Turkey. Data were collected using the Personal Introduction Form, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Visual Analogue Stress Scale, and Physical Symptoms List. Data were collected during three different treatment periods: beginning of the in vitro fertilisation trial, oocyte pick-up day and the postembryo transfer period.

Results

The sleep quality score of women progressively decreased as treatment progressed (p < .001). A strong positive correlation was determined between stress and sleep quality (p < .001). Additionally, advanced age, low education level, shift work, prolonged treatment and economic distress were associated with poorer sleep quality (p < .001). In addition, breast fullness, abdominal distension, and pain (p < .001) observed until the oocyte pick-up day, as well as nausea and fatigue during the postembryo transfer period (p < .001), were identified as physical symptoms affecting sleep quality.

Conclusion

This article provides information on sleep quality during in vitro fertilisation and guides healthcare professionals to encourage and improve women’s sleep quality.

KEYWORDS:

• In vitro fertilisation
• infertility
• sleep quality
• stress
• women

Acknowledgments

This study was performed as a master thesis in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing at Health Sciences Institute at Dokuz Eylul University. We greatly appreciate the all the staff of the IVF clinics for their continuous support during the study and we also would like to thank the women who voluntarily participated in this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

Figen Yanık and Merlinda Aluş Tokat contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by Figen Yanık and Merlinda Aluş Tokat. Merlinda Aluş Tokat has made critical revisions to the paper for important intellectual content. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author, [F.Y].

Relevance to clinical practice

The evaluation of sleep quality during fertility treatment should be included as an important part of multidisciplinary clinical management. Healthcare professionals can easily identify women with poor sleep and implement strategies to improve it. In addition, raising awareness among fertility clinicians and in the society is essential to support women.

Additional information

Funding

The authors reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.