Does Emotional Support Decrease In Vitro Fertilization Stress?

Brigham and Women's Hospital131 enrolled

Overview

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.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

131

Conditions

In Vitro Fertilization Psychological Stress

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 45 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

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

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Perceived Stress Scale Scores

The perceived stress scale is a validated instrument to assess psychological stress

Time frame: Day of embryo transfer (day 1) and 10 days later

Secondary Outcomes

Patient perceived benefit

Exit questionnaires were administered 10 days after transfer to assess patient perceptions of the study.

Time frame: 10 days after embryo transfer