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    Parental attitudes toward disclosure of the mode of conception to their child conceived by in vitro fertilization

    Peters, Carsten and Kantaris, X. and Barnes, Jacqueline and Sutcliffe, A. (2005) Parental attitudes toward disclosure of the mode of conception to their child conceived by in vitro fertilization. Fertility and Sterility 83 (4), pp. 914-919. ISSN 0015-0282.

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    Abstract

    OBJECTIVES: To survey the level of disclosure of conception method within families of children conceived using conventional IVF or ICSI and to examine the factors that may influence parental attitudes and plans for disclosure. DESIGN: An in-depth questionnaire. SETTING: Participants recruited through UK fertility clinics. PATIENTS: Parents of IVF/ICSI children aged 5-6 years (n=181, 51%). INTERVENTION: Mothers and fathers of IVF/ICSI children were sent questionnaires to complete and return in a reply paid envelope. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Completion of the questionnaire. RESULTS: Most parents had told somebody about their child’s method of conception, mostly close friends and family. Fewer (26% mothers/17% fathers) had already discussed the child’s mode of conception with their child. 58% mothers/57% fathers intended to tell their child at some point. 16% mothers/21% fathers were undecided. 4% fathers never wanted to discuss the subject with their child. Children were more likely to be told if conception was ICSI, rather than conventional IVF, and if an only child. 29% undecided fathers and 36% undecided mothers stated that they would tell their child if appropriate child-friendly explanatory literature was available. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of parents wish to tell their child at some point but are unsure about the most appropriate timing and method of disclosure. Fertility clinics may have a role in providing the necessary support. Child-friendly literature may be helpful.

    Metadata

    Item Type: Article
    Keyword(s) / Subject(s): infertility, IVF, disclosure, parent-child relations
    School: Birkbeck Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Science > School of Psychological Sciences
    Research Centres and Institutes: Children, Families and Social Issues, Institute for the Study of (Closed)
    Depositing User: Sandra Plummer
    Date Deposited: 08 Mar 2006
    Last Modified: 02 Aug 2023 16:46
    URI: https://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/331

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