Open AccessComparative analysis of women aged over 35 after in vitro fertilisation and natural fertilisation: a case control study
Author(s) -
Iwona Kiersnowska
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
medical science pulse
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2544-1620
pISSN - 2544-1558
DOI - 10.5604/01.3001.0014.8271
Subject(s) - medicine , pregnancy , childbirth , obstetrics , caesarean section , incidence (geometry) , in vitro fertilisation , gynecology , infertility , biology , genetics , physics , optics
Background: Postponing motherhood is a worldwide trend. As a woman ages, the ability to get pregnantnaturally decreases. The postponement of motherhood is related to the increased availability of assisted reproductivetechnology, which is associated with a higher incidence of maternal health problems.Aim of the study: To compare the health problems encountered during pregnancy, childbirth and early postpartum,and to examine the health status of the newborn, in women over 35 years of age who received in vitrofertilisation (IVF) or conceived naturally.Material and methods: A retrospective comparative case-control study was carried out based on the analysisof medical records from women who gave birth after 35 years of age. The study was conducted in two hospitalsof the third level of reference in Warsaw, Poland. A group of women who gave birth after IVF (n=240)was compared with a control group who gave birth following natural fertilisation (n=240).Results: Women after IVF were statistically more likely to be obese (5% vs 0.2%, p=0.001), to have receivedinfertility treatment (18% vs 1%, p=0.000) before pregnancy, and to experience cholestasis during pregnancy(4% vs. 1%, p=0.019). There was a higher incidence of multiple pregnancies [twins (10% vs 1%, p=0.0001)and triplets (0.5%, p=0.0001)], and deliveries by caesarean section (61% vs 51%, p=0.027) in women fromthe IVF group. The groups did not differ with respect to preterm delivery, duration of pregnancy, or 1st, 2ndand 3rd periods of labour. Mothers in the IVF group had a statistically longer perinatal hospital stay (7±8 vs5±4 days, p=0.001).Conclusions: Women over 35 years of age after IVF have a higher rate of caesarean sections and multiplepregnancies. Obesity before pregnancy and cholestasis during pregnancy are also more common in thisgroup. There is no difference between the health status of newborns from mothers after in vitro or naturalfertilisation.