In Vitro Fertilization, Psychological Stress
Conditions
Keywords
IVF, Stress, Infertility
Brief summary
In vitro fertilization for infertility has been associated with a significant amount of treatment related stress for patients. In addition,stress levels increase between embryo transfer and pregnancy test, during this waiting period. The investigators evaluated whether or not brief interventions by phone by trained social workers influenced stress levels. Our data showed that these interventions did not change levels, but confirmed that stress did increase during this time and that patients report wanting additional emotional support to improve stress during this period.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALPhone calls
Phone calls to offer emotional support
Sponsors
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE (Investigator)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* All women (ages 18-45) undergoing their first fresh cycle of IVF using autologous oocytes where an embryo transfer occurred
Exclusion criteria
* \> 2nd cycle of IVF IVF using donor eggs or a gestational carrier * Transfers with Cryopreserved embryos * Day 5 embryo transfers * Self-reported history of depression or anxiety * Already seeing a mental health professional * Inability to speak or read English
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Perceived Stress Scale Scores | Day of embryo transfer (day 1) and 10 days later | The perceived stress scale is a validated instrument to assess psychological stress |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Patient perceived benefit | 10 days after embryo transfer | Exit questionnaires were administered 10 days after transfer to assess patient perceptions of the study. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed