Parental attitudes toward disclosure of the mode of conception to their child conceived by in vitro fertilization

Abstract

(2005). Parental attitudes toward disclosure of the mode of conception to their child conceived by in vitro fertilization. Fertility and Sterility 83 (4) 914-919.This is an author-produced version of a paper published in Fertility and Sterility . This version has been peer-reviewed but does not include the final publisher proof corrections, published layout or pagination.All articles available through Birkbeck ePrints are protected by intellectual property law, including copyright law. Any use made of the contents should comply with the relevant law.Citation for this version: Peters, C.; Kantaris, X.; Barnes, J. and Sutcliffe, A. (2005 In a survey of parents of IVF children, the majority wished to tell their child at some point but were unsure about the most appropriate timing and method of disclosure.Complete abstract OBJECTIVES: To survey the level of disclosure of conception method within families of children conceived using conventional IVF or ICSI and to examine the factors that may influence parental attitudes and plans for disclosure. DESIGN: An in-depth questionnaire SETTING: Participants recruited through UK fertility clinics PATIENTS: Parents of IVF/ICSI children aged 5-6 years (n=181, 51%) INTERVENTION: Mothers and fathers of IVF/ICSI children were sent questionnaires to complete and return in a reply paid envelope MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Completion of the questionnaire RESULTS: Most parents had told somebody about their child's method of conception, mostly close friends and family. Fewer (26% mothers/17% fathers) had already discussed the child's mode of conception with their child. 58% mothers/57% fathers intended to tell their child at some point. 16% mothers/21% fathers were undecided. 4% fathers never wanted to discuss the subject with their child. Children were more likely to be told if conception was ICSI, rather than conventional IVF, and if an only child. 29% undecided fathers and 36% undecided mothers stated that they would tell their child if appropriate child-friendly explanatory literature was available. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of parents wish to tell their child at some point but are unsure about the most appropriate timing and method of disclosure. Fertility clinics may have a role in providing the necessary support. Child-friendly literature may be helpful.

Reproductive characteristics of women diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency

“…As documented recommendations on study design and questionnaire structure were followed, we feel that we were able to obtain reliable data from our study population (Joffe, 1999;Joffe et al, 1995). The response rate of 51% in this study was as may be expected for this type of survey (Cummings et al, 2001;Peters et al, 2005). In order to evaluate potential selection bias, we compared baseline characteristics between women who did and women who did not return the questionnaire (data not shown).…”

Consequences of IVF among women: 10 years post-treatment

“…Of the remainder, around 58% intended to tell their child at a later date. If the mode of conception was ICSI, the children were more likely to be told than if the mode was IVF [22]. In accordance with these results, a Dutch study reported that 94% of IVF parents had decided to tell their children about the way they had been conceived [23].…”

“…Studies amongst parents with children who were conceived following the use of donor semen have shown that the vast majority of parents had not informed their children and did not intend to do so in the future [review in 24]. However, most people who have undergone assisted reproduction inform their close family and friends about the treatment they received [10,22].…”

Disclosure decisions among pregnant women who received donor oocytes: a phenomenological study

“…Previous research investigating disclosure decisions among parents who used oocyte donation, IVF or ICSI to conceive children reported the age of the parent was not associated with whether the child had been told about their method of conception (16,34). While theses studies conclude there is no difference in the patterns of disclosure based on a woman's age, this study described differences in the woman's reasoning such that younger women fear non-acceptance and stigma because of their diagnosis of infertility and older women fear non-acceptance and stigma because of their mature status during childbearing.…”