Onm-10: How Collaborative Counseling Can Affect Perceived Infertility-Related Stress in Infertile Women Undergoing IVF

Background: Infertility is a stressful event in infertile couples&#039; life that can cause severe psychological problems. A variety of approaches has been suggested to manage stress in these couples. This study addressed the effect of collaborative counseling on perceived infertility-related stress in infertile women undergoing IVF in 2010 in Mashhad, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, 60 women with primary infertility selected from Montaserieh Research Centre and randomly were allocated to intervention and control groups. Women in intervention group were counseled in five meetings with the participation of midwife, gynecologist and clinical psychologist. Control group were counseled routinely. Perceived infertility-related stress was measured at the beginning and embryo transfer day using Newton Fertility Problem Inventory consisted of five subscales. Chi-square and t-test statistical methods was used For data analysis. Results: A significant difference was found between two groups in terms of total perceived infertility-related stress score (p<0.048). The amount of stress reduction in intervention group was nearly 3.6 times of control group. There was also a significant difference between two groups regarding two subscales of Fertility Problem Inventory including social concerns (p<0.031) and need for parenthood (p<0.011). Conclusion: According to the findings, collaborative counseling can decrease infertile women&#039;s perceived infertility-related stress. Thus it could be suggested as one of the stress management strategies in infertile women undergoing IVF.