Elternschaft und kindliche Entwicklung nach durch IVF-erfuelltem Kinderwunsch Schlussbericht

In a longitudinal study, 46 parent couples with 64 children (multiple birth rate 29%) after successful IVF/ICSI treatment are examined from the third pregnancy trimenon to their second birthday of the child. The control group consists of 45 couples with 56 children (multiple birth rate 22%) with spontaneous pregnancies or hormonal treatment. The methodology includes semistructured, depth psychologic interviews, observation of the child-parent interaction, development diagnostics (Bailey Scales) as well as questionnaires. The working hypothesis is that the parenthood as well as the relationships between the parents and with their children generally develop well. The results support this hypothesis. Certain features are found significantly more often in the IVF-group: close ties to the own family, avoidance as a means of conflict solution, compliance with social norms and a hampered sexual behaviour. IVF pregnancies are experienced as being less problematic and more satisfying, while they tend to be medically conspicuous, need closer medical attention and more often result in a cesarean section. Due to the increased multiple births, the rate of premature births is increased as well (23%). In the majority of cases, the somatic, cognitive, psychic, psychomotoric development of the children tends to be relatively normal. Somatic (mulitple births) and psychosomatic (single births) problems are found significantly more often in the IVF group. In terms of the motoric development, the IVF children achieve better results in their first year. The majority characterizes the parent-child relationship as 'favorable' while separation difficulties prevail on both sides. Fathers in the IVF-group show more often a stronger emotional involvement as far as their child is concerned, which however does not result in an increased amount of concrete paternal activities. Although the IVF method enjoys a high acceptance, the readiness to openly discuss the treatment with third parties or (prospectively) the child is limited (orig.)SIGLEAvailable from TIB Hannover: F97B2386 / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekBundesministerium fuer Bildung, Wissenschaft, Forschung und Technologie, Bonn (Germany)DEGerman