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The paper reports an integrative literature review of research into the psychosocial factors which shape the transition to parenthood in couples following non-donor in vitro fertilization in comparison with those conceiving spontaneously. Nineteen papers of non-donor IVF and SC mothers and fathers were included. Differences between groups were reported for a range of psychosocial measures during the transition from pregnancy to parenthood including: the control couples feel they have over their lives (locus of control), parental adjustment and child behaviour, parental stress, parental investment in the child, self-esteem and self-efficacy, greater levels of protectiveness (separation anxiety) towards child, marital and family functioning, family alliance, marital satisfaction and communication, as well as anxiety, indirect aggression and lowered respect for the child. We have conceptualised these differences as three substantive themes which reflect psychosocial factors shaping transition to parenthood in parents after non-donor AR: namely social support, relationships and emotional well-being, which are in turn influenced by gender differences. These findings have implications for health care professionals' assessment of individual couples' support needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Lifestyle (smoking, drinking alcohol) and body mass index (BMI) predictors of successful outcomes in assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments were examined in this meta-analysis.Method: A bibliographic search was undertaken using six databases. The review was informed by PRISMA/MOOSE guidelines. Meta-analytic data were analysed using random effects models.Results: We included 77 studies examining effects of BMI, smoking and drinking alcohol. Patients with a BMI< =24.9 were significantly more likely to achieve LB/pregnancy than with BMI> =25 OR = 1.219 (95% CI:1.128-1.319, z = 4.971, p < .001; I2 = 53.779%, p = .001). Non-smokers were significantly more likely to achieve a LB or pregnancy than smokers OR = 1.457 (95% CI:1.228-1.727, z = 4.324, p < .001; I2 = 51.883; p = .001). Meta-regression revealed the number of embryos transferred significantly moderated the effects of smoking on ART outcomes, and there was a trend indicating primary infertility and high BMI were also significant moderators. The evidence for drinking alcohol was inconclusive due to the small number of studies.Conclusions: This meta-analysis confirms that ART treatment success can be predicted with lifestyle factors. Further, non-smokers' relative odds of pregnancy/live birth increase as more embryos were transferred but there was a trend that the odds of pregnancy/live birth decrease with primary infertility and high BMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Media framing can influence people’s perceptions of social changes in family building, and has the potential to influence their future actions.Objectives:to analyse the type of framing and construction used in British newsprint of transnational commercial surrogacy.Methods:UK newspapers were searched using the search engine Lexis-Nexis. One hundred and ninety-seven articles were analysed. Content analysis was undertaken to identify the use of gain, loss, neutral, alarm and vulnerability frames, as well as type of construction (i.e. ethical, social, legal, financial and medical). Four researchers independently analysed articles using a coding strategy.Results:Differences between serious (mainly legal, financial), middle-market (legal) and tabloid (social, financial) newspapers were found. There were three main foci; buying babies – affordable only to those wealthy enough to pay for it; the legal complications of transnational surrogacy – reporting a sense of the legal system lagging behind this practice; and gay families – repeatedly questioning their suitability as parents – demonstrating a prevailing heterosexual stereotype about reproduction and parenting.Conclusions:Stereotyping was prevalent and the welfare of children and medical aspects of transnational surrogacy were minimally addressed, indicating the media selectively influences its readership. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

STUDY QUESTION: What are the experiences of donor-conceived adults and donors who are searching for a genetic link through the use of a DNA-based voluntary register service? SUMMARY ANSWER: Donor-conceived adults and donors held positive beliefs about their search and although some concerns in relation to finding a genetically linked relative were reported, these were not a barrier to searching. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Research with donor-conceived people has consistently identified their interest in learning about-and in some cases making contact with-their donor and other genetic relatives. However, donor-conceived individuals or donors rarely have the opportunity to act on these desires. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, AND DURATION: A questionnaire was administered for online completion using Bristol Online Surveys. The survey was live for 3 months and responses were collected anonymously. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, AND METHODS: The survey was completed by 65 donor-conceived adults, 21 sperm donors and 5 oocyte donors who had registered with a DNA-based voluntary contact register in the UK. The questionnaire included socio-demographic questions, questions specifically developed for the purposes of this study and the standardized Aspects of Identity Questionnaire (AIQ). MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Motivations for searching for genetic relatives were varied, with the most common reasons being curiosity and passing on information. Overall, participants who were already linked and those awaiting a link were positive about being linked and valued access to a DNA-based register. Collective identity (reflecting self-defining feelings of continuity and uniqueness), as assessed by the AIQ, was significantly lower for donor-conceived adults when compared with the donor groups (P < 0.05), but not significantly different between linked/not linked or length of time since disclosure of donor conception (all Ps > 0.05) for donor-conceived adults. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Participants were members of a UK DNA-based registry which is unique. It was therefore not possible to determine how representative participants were of those who did not register for the service, those in other countries or of those who do not seek information exchange or contact. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: This is the first survey exploring the experiences of donor-conceived adults and donors using a DNA-based voluntary register to seek information about and contact with genetic relatives and the first to measure aspects of identity using standardized measures. Findings provide valuable information about patterns of expectations and experiences of searching through DNA linking, identity and of having contact in the context of donor conception that will inform future research, practice and policy development. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: No funding was obtained for this study. The authors have no competing interests to declare except for M.C. who was national adviser to UKDL from 2003-2013. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Not applicable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aims of this study were to examine the effect of gain- and loss-framed messages on British and South East Asian women's intentions towards oocyte donation and to examine whether the components of the theory of planned behaviour influenced the relationship between framing and intentions. Methods: A total of 406 women participated in this study (mean age = 22, SD = 2.9). There were 211 participants in the gain condition and 195 in the loss condition. Results: An analysis of covariance found a main effect for framing (F(1, 402) = 6.3; P < 0.01) after controlling for existing attitudes towards oocyte donation and pre-message intentions to donate. Specifically, participants in the gain-framed condition were significantly more likely to report higher post-message intentions to donate oocytes than participants in the loss condition. However, the framing effect was only observed with British populations and not with women from South East Asia. Further, structural equation modelling analyses revealed lower levels of 'perceived behavioural control' (beta = -0.420, P < 0.03) and positive attitudes towards 'the importance of genetic ties between parent and child' (beta = 0.70, P < 0.001) were direct predictors of post-message intentions in the gain (but not loss) frame condition. Conclusion: Findings obtained from this study indicate that oocyte donation campaigns should consider using gain-framed messages in recruitment appeals and message frames should be matched to the target populations' perceived level of behavioural control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The social and psychological factors determining intentions to donate gametes are important for clinics, policy-makers and recruitment campaigns. The aims of this systematic review were therefore to integrate the research findings regarding the psychosocial determinants of oocyte donation and extrapolate women's experiences of donation. Methods: A bibliographic search of English language publications of four computerized databases was undertaken with no time restriction set for publications. Results: A total of 64 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The research syntheses revealed there were distinct differences between patient and non-patient (known, commercial, volunteer and potential) donors on demographic characteristics, motives for donation, and issues relating to disclosure and attitudes towards the resultant offspring. Further, studies have found that a significant proportion of oocyte donors and women from the general population were prepared to donate their oocytes as identifiable donors. Studies which have examined the experiences of donors report positive experiences of oocyte donation. However, a number of methodological limitations relating to the oocyte donation research literature have been identified in this systematic review. Conclusion: Differences between donor groups on a range of factors highlight the need for tailored psychosocial evaluation and counselling. The review has demonstrated that it is not useful to generalize across donor groups on various factors relating to oocyte donation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an acute shortage of donated oocytes in the UK and clinics are largely relying on shared donation. Shared donation of oocytes is not without its ethical and moral concerns. The aims of this study were therefore to investigate non-patient population attitudes towards oocyte donation and examine the link between oocyte donation intentions and reasons for parenthood using structural equation modelling (SEM). The survey population consisted of 349 women aged 27.8 4.7 years. Results revealed that approximately one-third of women would consider donating their oocytes as identifiable donors. SEM analyses indicated a significant direct effect of positive attitudes towards oocyte donation, high levels of social support and endorsement of less conventional reasons for parenthood to intentions to donate. Age, education and attitudes towards the importance of a genetic link between parent and child indirectly influenced intentions to donate oocytes. Intenders' less conventional perceptions of parenthood coincided with their positive beliefs about the importance of parenthood and children. Thus, results indicated that attitudes towards parenthood are an important factor underpinning the motivation for potential oocyte donation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the UK, surrogacy procedures are unregulated and not monitored. Information concerning the selection and assessment of intended (the mother commissioning) and surrogate mothers (the mother carrying and delivering the baby) is therefore not generally available (BMA, 1996). It is important to determine what type of assessment is used, and how selection takes place within the organizations dealing with surrogate motherhood arrangements. The present survey enquired about the incidence, selection and assessment procedures of all registered surrogate and commissioning couples, and aimed to find out what advice and support is given. Eight organizations took part in the survey, six were clinics and two agencies dealing with surrogate arrangements. Two voluntary organizations/helplines were also surveyed, but their data are not relevant to the results presented here. An interview and questionnaire approach was used. Psychosocial assessment was minimally addressed by all organizations, and no fixed procedures for assessment and selection were employed. Despite this, few incidences of controversial cases were reported. Confidence in this practice could be increased in the future if both parties embarking on a surrogacy arrangement knew they were properly selected and assessed. A regulatory body could monitor consistent use of professional evidence-based criteria prior to arrangements. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This prospective study was designed to measure changes in the psychological status, self-esteem, dependence on other people, physical symptom distress and coping during isolation for bone marrow transplantation (BMT). A sample of 26 BMT patients was assessed at four different points in time. Results indicated that high psychological morbidity was present the day before the transplant, which remained elevated throughout hospitalisation and even a month after discharge. Main distressing symptoms included changes in bowel patterns, fatigue, insomnia, poor appetite and poor concentration. Tension-anxiety and depression showed a non-significant decrease throughout hospitalisation, but anger-hostility and fatigue were increased, especially in the last assessment about a month after discharge from hospital. Activity levels declined over time. Dependence on others and self-esteem have shown no significant changes over time, although pie-transplant assessment showed low self-esteem and a high degree of dependence on others. Main coping mechanisms during isolation identified in the study were hope, directing attention, maintaining control over the situation and acceptance. Psychological disturbance during isolation had a `carry-over' effect even a month after discharge from hospital. Higher symptom distress was associated with higher mood disturbance. Different types of isolation during BMT were not associated with differential amounts of psychomorbidity. Finally, patients who received professional psychological support during BMT' demonstrated significantly lower mood disturbance compared with patients who did not receive psychological support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One hundred volunteers completed a modified version of the Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire daily for 35 days. The purpose of the study was disguised. None of the participants was taking oral contraceptives. Significantly more symptoms were reported in the premenstrual and menstrual phases and fewer during the follicular phase of the cycle, but the pattern of response varied considerably between subjects. Symptom reporting was higher, in all phases of the cycle, in women with high trait anxiety or psychiatric morbidity (indexed by the General Health Questionnaire) but these measures did not relate to fluctuations of symptoms around the menstrual cycle. The need for prospective longitudinal studies of menstrual cycle symptomatology is emphasised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated women's belief that they suffered from premenstrual syndrome (PMS) by monitoring patterns of symptoms reporting over a 5-week period in relation to the underlying trait of negative affect. We expected that women reporting high negative affect would be more likely to report menstrual cycle distress than those reporting low negative affect. One hundred twenty-one women rated the typical occurrence and severity of premenstrual changes on a retrospective questionnaire and then make daily ratings of their changes for the duration of one cycle. In addition, they completed a questionnaire measuring positive and negative affect. Data analysis revealed a clear subgroup whose retrospective reports of premenstrual change were not substantiated by the cycle of their daily ratings. Although this subgroup was also reported more negative affect, the magnitude of the effect was relatively small. The possible contribution of both negative outlook and the meaning of the self-identified label of PMS are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the topic of direct relevance to the readers of the journal was British Government's encouragement to reduce the rate of caesarean deliveries. The other issue appeared in the "British Medical Journal" raised something which is also being addressed by the English Equal Opportunities Commission, namely the treatment of women at work while pregnant. The media focus was particularly on elective operations. A number of articles appeared, some of which addressed the conflict between the reality of women's childbirth choices, promoted in the Changing Childbirth report of 1993, the pressure to have a natural birth, and staff shortages all of which make the issue relevant to all those involved in pregnancy and childbirth, women and their families, health professionals as well as managers seeking to reduce costs. A number of features addressed the risks to mother and baby associated with both surgery and with natural childbirth and many were illustrated by personal accounts of birth experiences.