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Impact of Instruction in the C reighton M odel F ertility C are S ystem on Time to Pregnancy in Couples of Proven Fecundity: Results of a Randomised Trial
Author(s) -
Stanford Joseph B.,
Smith Ken R.,
Varner Michael W.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
paediatric and perinatal epidemiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.667
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1365-3016
pISSN - 0269-5022
DOI - 10.1111/ppe.12141
Subject(s) - medicine , confidence interval , hazard ratio , pregnancy , demography , genetics , sociology , biology
Background The C reighton M odel F ertility C are S ystem ( CrMS ) teaches women to identify days when intercourse is likely to result in pregnancy. We sought to assess the impact of the CrMS on time to pregnancy ( TTP ), via per‐cycle pregnancy rates (fecundability). Methods We conducted a parallel randomised trial at the U niversity of U tah S chool of M edicine, 2003–06. Women ages 18–35 years, in a relationship of proven fertility, who desired to conceive, were block‐randomised and stratified for age, with allocation concealment by opaque sequentially numbered sealed envelopes. The control group received the advice to have intercourse 2–3 times per week, and the intervention group received CrMS instruction. All women were asked to begin trying to conceive starting the second cycle in the study and were followed actively up to seven cycles, without blinding of research personnel. We calculated descriptive statistics and fecundability, and estimated C ox models for TTP . ( C linicaltrials.gov NCT 00161395). Results There were 143 women randomised: 71 to the control group (all analysed) and 72 to the CrMS group (69 analysed). The adjusted hazard ratio for the influence of CrMS on TTP was 0.86 [95% confidence interval ( CI ): 0.53, 1.38]. Fecundability in cycles with intent to conceive was 31% in controls and 36% with CrMS ( P = 0.32). By the first cycle, fecundability was 17% in controls, and 4% with CrMS ( P = 0.02). No adverse events were reported. Conclusions We found no significant impact of CrMS on TTP or fecundability, but fewer of the women receiving CrMS conceived by the first cycle.