Attitudes toward multiple births and pregnancy concerns in infertile and non-infertile women

Abstract

In order to determine receptivity to having more than one child in a single pregnancy, a questionnaire assessing attitudes toward multiple gestations and concerns about various pregnancy-related issues was developed and administered to four groups: women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF), ovulation stimulation with human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG), artificial insemination with donor semen (AID), and a control group consisting of female medical and graduate psychology students. Results indicated that the infertile women were significantly more positive about having multiple gestations than the non-infertile control women. Study groups also differed significantly in the degree of concern felt regarding various pregnancy complications or consequences, with infertile women expressing greater worry about losing a pregnancy due to a miscarriage or tubal pregnancy and non-infertile women displaying more concern about potential consequences to their health, attractiveness and marital relationship. The implications of this research for decision-making and counseling with infertile populations are discussed.