Changes in Life Satisfaction in Couples after Successful In vitro Fertilization and Natural Pregnancy

Previous research suggested reduced well-being and quality of life in couples with an unfulfilled desire to have a child. However, changes in psychological variables in infertile couples after successful in-vitro fertilization (IVF) have been scarcely investigated.

This prospective study explored changes in life satisfaction, stress burden and habitual worry related to the birth of a child in couples undergoing IVF, and in those experiencing natural pregnancy.

In total, 77 couples with successful IVF and 50 couples with natural pregnancy completed the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Questionnaire and Penn State Worry Questionnaire; data were recorded before pregnancy (baseline) and 6 and 12 months after childbirth. Multi-level models were applied for data analysis.

Couples with IVF reported lower life satisfaction, and higher stress burden and worry, than those with natural pregnancy at baseline. Moreover, they showed a steep increase in life satisfaction at 6 and 12 months after childbirth, and decreased stress and worry. In couples with natural pregnancy, life satisfaction scores decreased, and those of stress and worry increased, at month 6 after childbirth and returned to initial state at month 12.

The group difference at baseline underlines the psychosocial burden of infertility. However, the increase in life satisfaction and decreases in stress and worry suggest that the burden is lessened after the birth of a child. The changes in couples with natural pregnancy reflect the impact of the typical challenges posed by childbirth and successful readjustment during the first year of the child´s life.