Relationship and parenthood in IVF couples with twin and singleton pregnancies compared with spontaneous singleton primiparous couples--a prospective 5-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE To analyze relationship and parenthood in IVF twin couples, IVF singleton couples, and spontaneously pregnant primiparous couples. SETTING Southeast region of Sweden. DESIGN Prospective case-control study. PATIENT(S) In total, 24 women and men who became pregnant with twins, consecutively, and expected their first child in 1997-98 were studied. A control IVF group of 94 singleton primiparous IVF couples were used. A group of spontaneous primiparous pregnant women were selected out of the total pregnant population as a control group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Relationship and parenthood measured by questionnaires and interviews. RESULT(S) The IVF singleton couples were most stable in their relationship during the whole study period, and the IVF twin parents also seemed more stable and satisfied compared with the control group of spontaneous conception couples. In the control group, 88% had a second child during the study period. In the singleton IVF group the corresponding number was 9%, and none of the twin parents had another child during the study period. CONCLUSION(S) We conclude that the stresses associated with IVF treatment and becoming first-time parents of twins did not have a negative impact on the couples' appreciation of their relationship and parenthood as stated by both men and women.