Year: 2019
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The use of donated gametes has made parenthood possible for those women and men who are unable to conceive with their own gametes. Every year 150-200 children are born after oocyte donation treatment and 300 children after sperm donation treatment. Parental psychological health has scarcely been addressed during pregnancy and soon after delivery. One of the most important questions in gamete donation is whether the child should be informed about his/her genetic background. The aim of the first questionnaire study was to compare fear of childbirth and delivery experience among women who conceived with donated oocytes (n=26), women after IVF treatment with own gametes (n=52) and spontaneous conception (n=52). The level of fear of childbirth and pregnancy related anxiety was lower among oocyte donation mothers compared with controls. Delivery experience did not differ between the groups. Acute operative delivery associated with dissatisfaction only among oocyte donation mothers. In the second study we compared mental health symptoms between parents after oocyte donation, IVF/ICSI with own gametes and after spontaneous pregnancy. The study group was the same as in the first study. The parents filled in General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-36) during 2nd trimester, 8 weeks and 1 year postpartum. Oocyte donation mothers showed fewer mental health symptoms in early parenthood than controls. No differences were found during pregnancy and among fathers at any time point. The third study examined parents´ plans of disclosure to their child after oocyte donation treatment. A questionnaire was sent to 160 couples who had 231 donor conceived children. 60% of parents had already told or intended to inform the child about his/her genetic background. Of children aged 3-14, 26% had received information about the way of conception. Parents with younger children were more willing to tell the child compared to parents with older children. The fourth questionnaire study examined parents´ disclosure plans after sperm donation treatment and their experiences of donor treatment. Answers provided information on 240 children. Of parents, 40% intended to tell or had already told the child (16 %) about his/her genetic background. Parents with younger children were more inclined to openness than parents with older children. Noteworthy finding was that less than half of the parents (42%) were satisfied with the psychological counselling they received to discuss importance of disclosure to the child.
Source: Työväentutkimus Vuosikirja
Author: Mari Sälevaara
Language: English
Subfield: Reproductive Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2961545205