Maternal adjustment, parenting and child behaviour in families of school-aged twins conceived after IVF and ovulation induction.

BACKGROUND

Previous studies that have examined the long-term effects of infertility and assisted reproductive technology on parenting and child behaviour in families with twins have suffered from methodological problems. This study compared measures of parental adjustment, parenting and child behaviour in families with 5-year-old twins who were conceived after in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or ovulation induction (OI) with families whose twins were naturally conceived (NC).

METHODS

The families who conceived via IVF/OI (N = 121) were identified from an epidemiological study of twins and matched to families who were conceived naturally (N = 121) on the basis of eleven child and family variables. Mothers were interviewed in their homes for the study.

RESULTS

No significant differences were observed between the IVF/OI families and the NC families on measures of parental adjustment or parent and teacher ratings of the twins' behaviour. IVF/OI mothers and their partners agreed with each other about discipline more than NC couples, but otherwise no other differences in parenting were found.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, this study provides evidence that families who conceive twins following IVF/OI are functioning well and that the experience of fertility treatment does not lead to long-term difficulties for parents or children.