Infertility and pregnancy loss

وَلَا يَزَالُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فِي مِرۡيَةࣲ مِّنۡهُ حَتَّىٰ تَأۡتِيَهُمُ ٱلسَّاعَةُ بَغۡتَةً أَوۡ يَأۡتِيَهُمۡ عَذَابُ يَوۡمٍ عَقِيمٍ

The disbelievers will remain in doubt about it until the Hour suddenly overpowers them or until torment descends on them on a Day devoid of all hope

أَوۡ يُزَوِّجُهُمۡ ذُكۡرَانࣰ ا وَإِنَٰثࣰ اۖ وَيَجۡعَلُ مَن يَشَآءُ عَقِيمًاۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمࣱ قَدِيرࣱ‏

male to whoever He will, or both male and female, and He makes whoever He will barren: He is all knowing and all powerful

فَأَقۡبَلَتِ ٱمۡرَأَتُهُۥ فِي صَرَّةࣲ فَصَكَّتۡ وَجۡهَهَا وَقَالَتۡ عَجُوزٌ عَقِيمࣱ‏

His wife then entered with a loud cry, struck her face, and said, ‘A barren old woman?’

وَفِي عَادٍ إِذۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلرِّيحَ ٱلۡعَقِيمَ

There is another sign in the Ad: We sent the life-destroying wind against them

۞وَعِندَهُۥ مَفَاتِحُ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ لَا يَعۡلَمُهَآ إِلَّا هُوَۚ وَيَعۡلَمُ مَا فِي ٱلۡبَرِّ وَٱلۡبَحۡرِۚ وَمَا تَسۡقُطُ مِن وَرَقَةٍ إِلَّا يَعۡلَمُهَا وَلَا حَبَّةࣲ فِي ظُلُمَٰتِ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَا رَطۡبࣲ وَلَا يَابِسٍ إِلَّا فِي كِتَٰبࣲ مُّبِينࣲ‏

He has the keys to the unseen: no one knows them but Him. He knows all that is in the land and sea. No leaf falls without His knowledge, nor is there a single grain in the darkness of the earth, or anything, fresh or withered, that is not written in a clear Record

وَلَمَّا سُقِطَ فِيٓ أَيۡدِيهِمۡ وَرَأَوۡاْ أَنَّهُمۡ قَدۡ ضَلُّواْ قَالُواْ لَئِن لَّمۡ يَرۡحَمۡنَا رَبُّنَا وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلۡخَٰسِرِينَ

When, with much wringing of hands, they perceived that they were doing wrong, they said, ‘If our Lord does not have mercy and forgive us, we shall be the losers.’

And those who disbelieve will not cease to be in doubt of it that is the Qur’ān — because of what Satan had cast onto the tongue of the Prophet s and what had thereafter been nullified — until the Hour comes upon them unawares that is the Hour of their death or of resurrection comes upon them suddenly or there come upon them the chastisement of a day of desolation ‘aqīm namely the day of Badr which held nothing of good for disbelievers much like a sterile wind rīh ‘aqīm that bears no good; or it means the Day of Resurrection referred to as ‘desolate’ because thereafter there will be no more night.

Or He combines them that is to say or He makes them males and females; and He makes whomever He will infertile such that she is unable to conceive or he cannot have a child. Surely He is Knower of what He creates Powerful in bringing about whatever He will.

Then his wife Sarah came forward clamouring shouting fī sarratin is a circumstantial qualifier that is to say she came shouting and smote slapped her face and said ‘A barren old woman!’ who has never given birth to a child aged ninety-nine with Abraham being one hundred years old; or alternatively he was a hundred and twenty years old and she was ninety years old.

And those who disbelieved, will not cease to be in doubt about it until the Hour comes suddenly upon them, or there comes to them the torment of Yawm 'Aqim (55)The sovereignty on that Day will be that of Allah. He will judge between them. So those who believed and did righteous good deeds will be in Gardens of Delight (56)And those who disbelieved and denied Our Ayat, for them will be a humiliating torment (in Hell)(57) The Disbelievers will remain in Doubt and Confusion Allah tells us that the disbelievers will remain in doubt concerning this Qur'an. This was the view of Ibn Jurayj and was the view favored by Ibn Jarir. حَتَّىٰ تَأْتِيَهُمُ السَّاعَةُ بَغْتَةً (until the Hour comes suddenly upon them,) Mujahid said: "By surprise." Qatadah said: بَغْتَةً (suddenly) means, the command of Allah will catch the people unaware. Allah never seizes a people except when they are intoxicate

To Allah belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills. He bestows female upon whom He wills, and bestows male upon whom He wills (49)Or He bestows both males and females, and He renders barren whom He wills. Verily, He is the All-Knower and is Able (to do all things)(50) Allah tells us that He is the Creator, Sovereign and Controller of the heavens and the earth. Whatever he wills happens, and whatever He does not will does not happen. He gives to whomsoever He wills and withholds from whomsoever he wills; none can withhold what He gives, and none can give what He withholds, and He creates whatever He wills. يَهَبُ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ إِنَاثًا (He bestows female upon whom He wills.) means, He gives them daughters only. Al-Baghawi said, "And among them (those who were given daughters only) was Lut, peace be upon him." وَيَهَبُ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ الذُّكُورَ (and b

Has the story reached you, of the honored guests of Ibrahim (24)When they came in to him and said: "Salaman!" He answered: "Salamun" and said: "You are a people unknown to me. (25)Then he turned to his household, and brought out a roasted calf (26)And placed it before them (saying): "Will you not eat? (27)Then he conceived fear of them (when they ate not). They said: "Fear not." And they gave him glad tidings of a son having knowledge (28)Then his wife came forward with a loud voice; she smote her face, and said: "A barren old woman! (29)They said: "Even so says your Lord. Verily, He is the All-Wise, the All-Knower. (30) The Guests of the Prophet Ibrahim We mentioned this story before in Surah Hud and Al-Hijr. Allah said, هَلْ أَتَاكَ حَدِيثُ ضَيْفِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الْمُكْرَمِينَ (Has the story reached you, of the honored guests of Ibrahim), whom Ibrahim honored and who, فَقَالُوا سَلَ

حَدَّثَنَا مَحْمُودُ بْنُ غَيْلاَنَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أَحْمَدَ الزُّبَيْرِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ عُمَارَةَ بْنِ عُمَيْرٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ، قَالَ خَرَجْنَا مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَنَحْنُ شَبَابٌ لاَ نَقْدِرُ عَلَى شَيْءٍ فَقَالَ ‏ "‏ يَا مَعْشَرَ الشَّبَابِ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالْبَاءَةِ فَإِنَّهُ أَغَضُّ لِلْبَصَرِ وَأَحْصَنُ لِلْفَرْجِ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ مِنْكُمُ الْبَاءَةَ فَعَلَيْهِ بِالصَّوْمِ فَإِنَّ الصَّوْمَ لَهُ وِجَاءٌ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ ‏.‏ حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْخَلاَّلُ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ نُمَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، عَنْ عُمَارَةَ، نَحْوَهُ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى وَقَدْ رَوَى غَيْرُ، وَاحِدٍ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ مِثْلَ هَذَا ‏.‏ وَرَوَى أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، وَالْمُحَارِبِيُّ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَحْوَهُ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى كِلاَهُمَا صَحِيحٌ ‏.‏

Abdullah bin Mas'ud narrated:"We went with Allah's Messenger, while we were young men who had nothing. He said: 'O young men! You should marry, for indeed it helps in lowering the gaze and protecting the private parts. Whoever among you is not able to marry, then let him fast, for indeed fasting will diminish his sexual desire

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو هِشَامٍ الرِّفَاعِيُّ، وَزَيْدُ بْنُ أَخْزَمَ الطَّائِيُّ، وَإِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الْبَصْرِيُّ، قَالُوا حَدَّثَنَا مُعَاذُ بْنُ هِشَامٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنِ الْحَسَنِ، عَنْ سَمُرَةَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَهَى عَنِ التَّبَتُّلِ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى وَزَادَ زَيْدُ بْنُ أَخْزَمَ فِي حَدِيثِهِ وَقَرَأَ قَتَادَةُ ‏:‏ ‏(‏ولقدْ أَرْسَلْنا رُسُلاً مِنْ قَبْلِكَ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُمْ أَزْوَاجًا وَذُرِّيَّةً ‏)‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ سَعْدٍ وَأَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ وَعَائِشَةَ وَابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى حَدِيثُ سَمُرَةَ حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ غَرِيبٌ ‏.‏ وَرَوَى الأَشْعَثُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ هِشَامٍ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَحْوَهُ ‏.‏ وَيُقَالُ كِلاَ الْحَدِيثَيْنِ صَحِيحٌ ‏.‏

Qatadah narrated from Al-Hasan, from Samurah that:The Prophet prohibited celibacy

وَحَدَّثَنَاهُ قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ يَعْنِي الدَّرَاوَرْدِيَّ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدُ بْنُ مَخْلَدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ بِلاَلٍ، جَمِيعًا بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ ‏.‏

This hadith has been narrated by Sulaiman b. Bilal with the same chain of transmitters

وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ، وَعُثْمَانُ، ابْنَا أَبِي شَيْبَةَ ح وَحَدَّثَنِي عَمْرٌو النَّاقِدُ، قَالُوا جَمِيعًا حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو خَالِدٍ الأَحْمَرُ، عَنْ يَزِيدَ بْنِ كَيْسَانَ، عَنْ أَبِي حَازِمٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ لَقِّنُوا مَوْتَاكُمْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:Exhort to recite" There is no god but Allah" to those of you who are dying

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بِشْرٍ، بَكْرُ بْنُ خَلَفٍ وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْحَمِيدِ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ حَكِيمِ بْنِ أَفْلَحَ، عَنْ أَبِي مَسْعُودٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ ‏ "‏ لِلْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِ أَرْبَعُ خِلاَلٍ يُشَمِّتُهُ إِذَا عَطَسَ وَيُجِيبُهُ إِذَا دَعَاهُ وَيَشْهَدُهُ إِذَا مَاتَ وَيَعُودُهُ إِذَا مَرِضَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

It was narrated from Abu Mas’ud that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:“The Muslim has four things due from the Muslim: He should answer [by saying Yarhamuk-Allah (may Allah have mercy on you)] to him if he sneezes (and says Al-Hamdulillah); he should accept his invitation if he invites him; he should attend his funeral if he dies; and he should visit him if he falls sick.”

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بِشْرٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏ "‏ خَمْسٌ مِنْ حَقِّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِ رَدُّ التَّحِيَّةِ وَإِجَابَةُ الدَّعْوَةِ وَشُهُودُ الْجِنَازَةِ وَعِيَادَةُ الْمَرِيضِ وَتَشْمِيتُ الْعَاطِسِ إِذَا حَمِدَ اللَّهَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:“Five are the rights of the Muslim: Returning his greeting, accepting his invitation; attending his funeral; visiting the sick; and answering (saying Yarhamuk-Allah) to the one who sneezes, if he praises Allah (says Al-Hamdu Lillah).”

وقال سري السقطى : من ادعى باطن علم ينقضه ظاهر حكم فهو غالط

وقال بشر ما سألت أحدا قط شيئا إلا سريا السقطى لأنه قد صح عندي زهده في الدنيا فهو يفرح بخروج الشيء من يده ويتبرم ببقائه عنده فأكون عونا له على ما يحب

وقال سرى السقطي رحمه الله آه على لقمة ليس على الله فيها تبعة ولا لمخلوق فيها منة

فيكره ذلك والسقط ينبغي أن يسمى

وكان سرى السقطي يقول للصوفية إذا خرج الشتاء فقد خرج أذار وأورقت الأشجار وطاب الإنتشار فانتشروا

وقال السري السقطي: إنى لأنظر كل يوم إلى أنفى مخافة أن يكون قد اسود وجهي.

A randomized clinical trial to determine optimal infertility treatment in older couples: the Forty and Over Treatment Trial (FORT-T).: Objective: To determine the optimal infertility therapy for women at the end of their reproductive potential. Design: Randomized clinical trial. Setting: Academic medical centers and private infertility center in a state with mandated insurance coverage. Patient(s): Couples with ≥ 6 months of unexplained infertility; female partner aged 38-42 years. Intervention(s): Randomized to treatment with two cycles of clomiphene citrate (CC) and intrauterine insemination (IUI), follicle stimulating hormon

The clinical effectiveness of the Mind/Body Program for Infertility on wellbeing and assisted reproduction outcomes: a randomized controlled trial in search for active ingredients.: Study question: Does the Mind/Body Program for Infertility (MBPI) perform better, due to certain distinctive elements, than a partly matched support group in improving the wellbeing and medically assisted reproduction (MAR) outcomes of women with elevated distress levels in a clinical setting? Summary answer: While robust enhancements occurred in the wellbeing overall, the cognitive behavioural and formalized stress management elements of the MBPI allowed a significantly stronger improvement in

Men's grief following pregnancy loss and neonatal loss: a systematic review and emerging theoretical model.: Background: Emotional distress following pregnancy loss and neonatal loss is common, with enduring grief occurring for many parents. However, little is known about men's grief, since the majority of existing literature and subsequent bereavement care guidelines have focused on women. To develop a comprehensive understanding of men's grief, this systematic review sought to summarise and appraise the literature focusing on men's grief following pregnancy loss and neonatal loss. Methods: A systemat

The effects of psychosocial interventions on the mental health, pregnancy rates, and marital function of infertile couples undergoing in vitro fertilization: a systematic review.: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of psychosocial interventions on the mental health, pregnancy rates, and marital function of infertile couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF), as determined through RCT studies. Methods: Using the electronic databases PubMed, EMBase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsycInfo, and CAJ, a systematic literature search was conducted in July 2015. MeSH terms, key words, and free words such as "infertility," "fertilization in vitro," "psy

Stress, distress and outcome of assisted reproductive technology (ART): a meta-analysis.: Background: A number of studies have investigated the relationship between psychological factors such as stress and distress (measured as anxiety and depression) and outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART). The results, however, are inconsistent, and the strength of any associations remains to be clarified. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the results of studies reporting on the associations between stress, anxiety, and depression and ART outcomes. Methods: Prospe

The impact of occupational shift work and working hours during pregnancy on health outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.: Backgroud: An increasing number of original studies suggest that exposure to shift work and long working hours during pregnancy could be associated with the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, but the results remain conflicting and inconclusive. Objective: To examine the influences of shift work and longer working hours during pregnancy on maternal and fetal health outcomes. Data sources: Five electronic databases and 3 gray literature sources were searched up to March 15, 2019. Methods of study

Infertility-related distress and female sexual function during assisted reproduction.

Study question: Is infertility-related distress a risk factor for impaired female sexual function in women undergoing assisted reproduction? Summary answer: Infertility-related distress, and especially social, sexual, and relationship concerns, is associated with female sexual dysfunction. What is known already: Women with infertility are more likely to present sexual dysfunction relative to those without infertility. Moreover, assisted reproduction is associated with increased risk for female sexual problems. To date, this higher proportion of sexual impairment in infertile women has been simplistically linked to the stress associated with the condition and investigated risk factors included mainly demographic and clinical variables. Quantitative studies aimed at identifying risk factors for sexual dysfunction that also included the evaluation of infertility-related distress are convers…

matched on Infertility (keyword), Infertility, Female (mesh), Reproductive Techniques, Assisted (mesh), infertility (text)

The relationship between stress and infertility.

The relationship between stress and infertility has been debated for years. Women with infertility report elevated levels of anxiety and depression, so it is clear that infertility causes stress. What is less clear, however, is whether or not stress causes infertility. The impact of distress on treatment outcome is difficult to investigate for a number of factors, including inaccurate self-report measures and feelings of increased optimism at treatment onset. However, the most recent research has documented the efficacy of psychological interventions in lowering psychological distress as well as being associated with significant increases in pregnancy rates. A cognitive-behavioral group approach may be the most efficient way to achieve both goals. Given the distress levels reported by many infertile women, it is vital to expand the availability of these programs.

matched on Abortion, Spontaneous (mesh), Infertility (keyword), Infertility, Female (mesh), infertility (text)

Outcomes from assisted reproductive technology.

The use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) for treating the infertile couple is increasing in the United States. The purpose of this paper is to review the short-term outcomes after ART. Pregnancy rates after ART have shown nearly continuous improvement in the years since its inception. A number of factors affect the pregnancy rate, with the most important being a woman's age. Certain clinical diagnoses are associated with a poorer outcome from ART, including the presence of hydrosalpinges, uterine leiomyomata that distort the endometrial cavity, and decreased ovarian reserve. Multiple gestations are the major complication after ART. New laboratory techniques, including extended embryo culture, may allow the transfer of fewer embryos to maintain pregnancy rates while reducing the risk of multiple gestations. Although much of the morbidity in children born after ART is the result o…

matched on Infertility, Female (mesh), Pregnancy Rate (mesh), Reproductive Techniques, Assisted (mesh), infertility (text)

First Nations Peoples' perceptions, knowledge and beliefs regarding stillbirth prevention and bereavement practices: A mixed methods systematic review.

Background: First Nations Peoples endure disproportionate rates of stillbirth compared with non-First Nations Peoples. Previous interventions have aimed at reducing stillbirth in First Nations Peoples and providing better bereavement care without necessarily understanding the perceptions, knowledge and beliefs that could influence the design of the intervention and implementation. Aim: The aim of this review was to understand the perceptions, knowledge and beliefs about stillbirth prevention and bereavement of First Nations Peoples from the US, Canada, Aotearoa/New Zealand, and Australia. Methods: This review was conducted in accordance with the JBI methodology for a convergent integrated mixed method systematic review. This review was overseen by an advisory board of Aboriginal Elders, researchers, and clinicians. A search of eight databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, CINAHL, Embase, E…

matched on Stillbirth (mesh)

Support interventions to reduce psychological distress in families experiencing stillbirth in high income countries: A systematic review.

Background: Previous research indicates disparities in the care of bereaved parents and siblings following a stillbirth in the family. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effects of interventions aimed at reducing psychological distress among parents or siblings in high-income countries after experiencing a stillbirth. Methods: The databases CINAHL, Medline, PsycInfo, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE were searched in August 2022. Results: Four intervention studies from the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), Finland, and Australia, met the inclusion criteria. The interventions comprised a perinatal grief support team; a perinatal counselling service; a grief support program; and a support package including contacts with peer supporters and health care staff. No studies of interventions for siblings were found. The results could not be synthesised due to disparities i…

matched on Stillbirth (mesh)

Interventions, outcomes and outcome measurement instruments in stillbirth care research: A systematic review to inform the development of a core outcome set.

Background: A core outcome set could address inconsistent outcome reporting and improve evidence for stillbirth care research, which have been identified as an important research priority. Objectives: To identify outcomes and outcome measurement instruments reported by studies evaluating interventions after the diagnosis of a stillbirth. Search strategy: Amed, BNI, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and WHO ICTRP from 1998 to August 2021. Selection criteria: Randomised and non-randomised comparative or non-comparative studies reporting a stillbirth care intervention. Data collection and analysis: Interventions, outcomes reported, definitions and outcome measurement tools were extracted. Main results: Forty randomised and 200 non-randomised studies were included. Fifty-eight differ…

matched on Stillbirth (mesh)

The psychological effects of stillbirth on parents: A qualitative evidence synthesis of psychoanalytic literature.

Objective: To review and synthesize existing psychoanalytic literature on the psychological impact of stillbirth on mothers and fathers. Method: This qualitative systematic review followed, as far as possible, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The Psychoanalytic Electronic Publishing Archive, the Single Case Archive, and PsycINFO (1999-2019) were searched to identify relevant articles published between 1999-2019 that report clinical material or theoretical considerations concerning the psychological effects of stillbirth on parents, as emerging during classical analytic or psychoanalytic therapy session/journey. A thematic synthesis was performed. Results: 46 articles were identified, providing data on the parents' experiences of grief and gender differences, the detrimental effects on the parental couple's relationship, the mothe…

matched on Stillbirth (mesh)

Parents' and healthcare professionals' experiences of care after stillbirth in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-summary.

Background: Stillbirth has a profound impact on women, families, and healthcare workers. The burden is highest in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). There is need for respectful and supportive care for women, partners, and families after bereavement. Objective: To perform a qualitative meta-summary of parents' and healthcare professionals' experiences of care after stillbirth in LMICs. Search strategy: Search terms were formulated by identifying all synonyms, thesaurus terms, and variations for stillbirth. Databases searched were AMED, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, BNI, CINAHL. Selection criteria: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method studies that addressed parents' or healthcare professionals' experience of care after stillbirth in LMICs. Data collection and analysis: Studies were screened, and data extracted in duplicate. Data were analysed using the Sandelowski meta-summary…

matched on Stillbirth (mesh)

Simple adaptations to the Templeton model for IVF outcome prediction make it current and clinically useful.

Study question: What is the validity of the Templeton model (TM) in predicting live birth (LB) for a couple starting an IVF/ICSI cycle? Summary answer: A centre-specific model based on the original predictors of the TM may reach a sufficient level of accuracy to be used in every day practice, with a few simple adaptations. What is known and what this paper adds: The TM seems the best predictive model of LB in IVF. However, previous validations of the TM suggest a lack of discrimination and calibration which means that it is not used in regular practice. We confirm this finding, and argue that such results are predictable, and essentially due to a strong centre effect. We provide evidence that the TM constitutes a useful reference reflecting a high proportion of the patient-mix effect since the parameters of the model remain invariant among centres, but also across various cultures, count…

matched on Infertility (mesh), Fertilization in Vitro (mesh)

Male fertility: psychiatric considerations.

Objective: To examine: 1) current knowledge on normal biologic variation of seminal parameters; 2) how stress and psychological factors affect sperm quality in fertile and infertile males; and 3) how mental illness and psychopharmacologic agents can affect male fertility. Design: English-language Medline, Embase, and Psycinfo were searched for relevant publications (from 1970 to January 2011) for systematic review. Setting: None. Patient(s): None. Intervention(s): None. Main outcome measure(s): Possible effects of stress, mood, and psychotropic medications on male factor fertility. Result(s): Male-factor infertility is influenced by myriad factors (obesity, tobacco, etc.). Stress alone may reduce testosterone levels and spermatogenesis. Infertility assessment and treatment can lead to distress and negatively affect sperm samples. Available research has failed to control for potentially c…

matched on Fertility (mesh), Infertility, Male (mesh), infertility (text)

Laparoscopic drilling by diathermy or laser for ovulation induction in anovulatory polycystic ovary syndrome.

Background: Surgical ovarian wedge resection was the first established treatment for women with anovulatory polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) but was largely abandoned both due to the risk of postsurgical adhesions and the introduction of medical ovulation induction. However, women with PCOS who are treated with medical ovulation induction, with drugs such as gonadotrophins, often have an over-production of follicles which may result in ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and multiple pregnancies. Moreover, gonadotrophins, though effective, are costly and time-consuming and their use requires intensive monitoring. Surgical therapy with laparoscopic ovarian 'drilling' (LOD) may avoid or reduce the need for medical ovulation induction, or may facilitate its usefulness. The procedure can be done on an outpatient basis with less trauma and fewer postoperative adhesions than with traditional sur…

matched on Infertility, Female (mesh), miscarriage (text)

Addressing the needs of fertility treatment patients and their partners: are they informed of and do they receive mental health services?

Objective: To determine the extent to which fertility patients and partners received mental health services (MHS) and were provided with information about MHS by their fertility clinics, and whether the use of MHS, or the provision of information about MHS by fertility clinics, was targeted to the most distressed individuals. Design: Prospective longitudinal cohort study. Setting: Five fertility practices. Patient(s): A total of 352 women and 274 men seeking treatment for infertility. Intervention(s): No interventions administered. Main outcome measure(s): Depression, anxiety, and MHS information provision and use. Result(s): We found that 56.5% of women and 32.1% of men scored in the clinical range for depressive symptomatology at one or more assessments and that 75.9% of women and 60.6% of men scored in the clinical range for anxiety symptomatology at one or more assessments. Depressio…

matched on Infertility (mesh), Fertility (mesh), infertility (text)

Fertility under uncertainty: exploring differences in fertility-related concerns and psychosocial aspects between breast cancer survivors and non-cancer infertile women.

Background: The threat to fertility due to anticancer treatments can be distressing to women who wish to complete their family. The current study assessed the fertility-related concerns, psychological distress and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of breast cancer survivors in comparison to non-cancer women with infertility history and to healthy controls from the general population. Methods: We surveyed young adult women aged 18 to 40 who wished to have a (or another) biological child. Participants completed self-report measures assessing fertility concerns, anxiety, depression and physical, emotional, role and social functioning. Group differences were assessed using multivariate comparisons as well as univariate tests and discriminant analysis for individual measures. Results: A total of 136 women were recruited, of whom 43 were breast cancer survivors, 56 non-cancer infertile wo…

matched on Infertility (keyword), Infertility, Female (mesh), Fertility (mesh), infertility (text)

The psychological influence of gender infertility diagnoses among men about to start IVF or ICSI treatment using their own sperm.

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate the psychological influence of gender infertility diagnoses among men in couples about to start their first IVF or ICSI treatment. Methods: The study was a part of a prospective study of 65 men with male infertility diagnosis and 101 men in couples with female, mixed and unexplained infertility diagnoses. Of the 200 men invited, 166 agreed to participate (83% response rate). The men answered questionnaires concerning psychological and social factors on three occasions, at the information meeting held 2-4 weeks prior to first treatment, 1 h before oocyte retrieval and 2 weeks after the pregnancy test. Results: The main findings of this study gave no indication that male infertility influenced men negatively concerning their experience of infertility, view of life and relationships and psychological well-being. We found that men w…

matched on Fertilization in Vitro (mesh), Infertility, Male (mesh), infertility (text)

General psychopathology, anxiety, depression and self-esteem in couples undergoing infertility treatment: a comparative study between men and women.

Objective: To compare measures of psychological distress between men and women undergoing ART in the Unit of Reproductive Medicine "UMR" in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at "Farhat Hached" Hospital in Sousse, Tunisia. Study design: We conducted a gender comparative study of psychological profile in infertile couples. Recruitment was done during period from January to May 2009. 100 infertile couples with primary infertility were recruited. Scores of general psychopathology, depression, anxiety and self-esteem were evaluated. We administrated questionnaires on psychological factors among infertile couples before starting a new infertility treatment cycle. Psychological factors included the symptom check-list (SCL-90-R), the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HAD-S) and the Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSE). Result(s): Infertile women had higher scores than their spouses i…

matched on Infertility, Female (mesh), Reproductive Techniques, Assisted (mesh), Infertility, Male (mesh), infertility (text)

A 10-year follow-up study of psychosocial factors affecting couples after infertility treatment.

Background: Little is known about the long-term course taken in life by couples who had undergone medically assisted reproduction (MAR). The aim of this study was to find out in a large sample whether, in comparison with parents, involuntarily childless couples have a different subjective perception of overall and specific quality of life over a period of >10 years. Methods: Between 1994 and 1997, 564 couples participated in the initial Heidelberg Fertility Consultation Service study of psychosocial aspects of infertility. In March 2008, a follow-up questionnaire was sent to all of these couples. Both partners were asked about the current status of their desire for a child and their satisfaction with life, their self-esteem, partnership, sexuality and career, as well as their current attitude towards the MAR they had undergone and experience of the process. Results: The final sample cons…

matched on Infertility, Female (mesh), Reproductive Techniques, Assisted (mesh), Infertility, Male (mesh), infertility (text)

Online yoga to reduce post traumatic stress in women who have experienced stillbirth: a randomized control feasibility trial.

Background: About 1 in every 150 pregnancies end in stillbirth. Consequences include symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Yoga has been used to treat PTSD in other populations and may improve health outcomes for stillbirth mothers. The purpose of this study was to determine: (a) feasibility of a 12-week home-based, online yoga intervention with varying doses; (b) acceptability of a "stretch and tone" control group; and (c) preliminary efficacy of the intervention on reducing symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, depression, perinatal grief, self-compassion, emotional regulation, mindfulness, sleep quality, and subjective health. Methods: Participants (N = 90) were recruited nationally and randomized into one of three groups for yoga or exercise (low dose (LD), 60 min per week; moderate dose (MD), 150 min per week; and stretch-and-tone control group (STC)). Bas…

matched on Stillbirth (mesh)

Stillbirths and newborn deaths in slum settlements in Mumbai, India: a prospective verbal autopsy study.

Background: Three million babies are stillborn each year and 3.6 million die in the first month of life. In India, early neonatal deaths make up four-fifths of neonatal deaths and infant mortality three-quarters of under-five mortality. Information is scarce on cause-specific perinatal and neonatal mortality in urban settings in low-income countries. We conducted verbal autopsies for stillbirths and neonatal deaths in Mumbai slum settlements. Our objectives were to classify deaths according to international cause-specific criteria and to identify major causes of delay in seeking and receiving health care for maternal and newborn health problems. Methods: Over two years, 2005-2007, births and newborn deaths in 48 slum areas were identified prospectively by local informants. Verbal autopsies were collected by trained field researchers, cause of death was classified by clinicians, and famil…

matched on Stillbirth (mesh)

Psychosocial effects of adverse pregnancy outcomes and their influence on reporting pregnancy loss during surveys and surveillance: narratives from Uganda.

Background: In 2021, Uganda had an estimated 25,855 stillbirths and 32,037 newborn deaths. Many Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes (APOs) go unreported despite causing profound grief and other mental health effects. This study explored psychosocial effects of APOs and their influence on reporting these events during surveys and surveillance settings in Uganda. Methods: A qualitative cross-sectional study was conducted in September 2021 in Iganga Mayuge health and demographic surveillance system site, eastern Uganda. Narratives were held with 44 women who had experienced an APO (miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death) and 7 men whose spouses had undergone the same. Respondents were purposively selected and the sample size premised on the need for diverse respondents. Reflexive thematic analysis was undertaken, supported by NVivo software. Results: 60.8% of respondents had experienced neonatal …

matched on Abortion, Spontaneous (mesh), Stillbirth (mesh), Perinatal Death (mesh), miscarriage (text), pregnancy loss (text)

Factors contributing to men's grief following pregnancy loss and neonatal death: further development of an emerging model in an Australian sample.

Background: Historically, men's experiences of grief following pregnancy loss and neonatal death have been under-explored in comparison to women. However, investigating men's perspectives is important, given potential gendered differences concerning grief styles, help-seeking and service access. Few studies have comprehensively examined the various individual, interpersonal, community and system/policy-level factors which may contribute to the intensity of grief in bereaved parents, particularly for men. Methods: Men (N = 228) aged at least 18 years whose partner had experienced an ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth, termination of pregnancy for foetal anomaly, or neonatal death within the last 20 years responded to an online survey exploring their experiences of grief. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the factors associated with men's grief intensity and …

matched on Abortion, Spontaneous (mesh), Stillbirth (mesh), Perinatal Death (mesh), miscarriage (text), pregnancy loss (text)

Preliminary findings on the experiences of care for parents who suffered perinatal bereavement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic poses an unprecedented risk to the global population. Maternity care in the UK was subject to many iterations of guidance on how best to reconfigure services to keep women, their families and babies, and healthcare professionals safe. Parents who experience a pregnancy loss or perinatal death require particular care and support. PUDDLES is an international collaboration investigating the experiences of recently bereaved parents who suffered a late miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death during the global COVID-19 pandemic, in seven countries. In this study, we aim to present early findings from qualitative work undertaken with recently bereaved parents in the United Kingdom about how access to healthcare and support services was negotiated during the pandemic. Methods: In-depth semi-structured interviews were undertaken with parents (N = 24) who had s…

matched on Abortion, Spontaneous (mesh), Stillbirth (mesh), Perinatal Death (mesh), miscarriage (text), pregnancy loss (text)

Communication of Diagnosis of Infertility: A Systematic Review.

Background: When infertility is diagnosed, physicians have the difficult task to break bad news. Their communication skills play a central role in improving patients' coping abilities and adherence to infertility treatments. However, specific guidelines and training courses on this topic are still lacking. The aim of the present study is to provide some practical advice for improving breaking bad news in infertility diagnosis through a systematic literature review of qualitative and quantitative studies. Methods: Electronic searches were performed in the MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection databases. All articles focusing on the communication of the diagnosis of infertility were included. The main findings of each included article were then summarized. Results: Literature search id…

matched on Infertility (keyword), infertility (text)

Weight loss improves reproductive outcomes in obese women undergoing fertility treatment: a randomized controlled trial.

For women attempting pregnancy, obesity reduces fertility and is an independent risk factor for obstetric and neonatal complications. The aim of this evaluator-blinded, randomized controlled trial was to evaluate a weight loss intervention on pregnancy rates in obese women undertaking fertility treatment. Forty-nine obese women, aged ≤ 37 years, presenting for fertility treatment were randomized to either a 12-week intervention (n = 27) consisting of a very-low-energy diet for the initial 6 weeks followed by a hypocaloric diet, combined with a weekly group multidisciplinary programme; or a control group (n = 22) who received recommendations for weight loss and the same printed material as the intervention. Anthropometric and reproductive parameters were measured at baseline and at 12 weeks. The 22 women who completed the intervention had greater anthropometric changes (-6.6 ± 4.6 kg and …

matched on Infertility, Female (mesh), Reproductive Techniques, Assisted (mesh)

Measures of anxiety, depression and stress in the antenatal and perinatal period following a stillbirth or neonatal death: a multicentre cohort study.

Background: The grief associated with the death of a baby is enduring, however most women embark on another pregnancy, many in less than a year following their loss. Symptoms of anxiety and depression are reported to be increased in pregnancies after perinatal death, although effect on maternal stress is less clear. Variation between individual studies may result from differences in gestation at sampling, the questionnaire used and the type of antecedent perinatal death. We aimed to describe quantitative measures of anxiety, depression, stress and quality of life at different timepoints in pregnancies after perinatal death and in the early postnatal period. Methods: Women recruited from three sites in the North-West of England. Women were asked to participate if a previous pregnancy had ended in a perinatal death. Participants completed validated measures of psychological state (Cambridg…

matched on Stillbirth (mesh), Perinatal Death (mesh)

Evaluation of an international educational programme for health care professionals on best practice in the management of a perinatal death: IMproving Perinatal mortality Review and Outcomes Via Education (IMPROVE).

Background: Stillbirths and neonatal deaths are devastating events for both parents and clinicians and are global public health concerns. Careful clinical management after these deaths is required, including appropriate investigation and assessment to determine cause (s) to prevent future losses, and to improve bereavement care for families. An educational programme for health care professionals working in maternal and child health has been designed to address these needs according to the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand Guideline for Perinatal Mortality: IMproving Perinatal mortality Review and Outcomes Via Education (IMPROVE). The programme has a major focus on stillbirth and is delivered as six interactive skills-based stations. We aimed to determine participants' pre- and post-programme knowledge of and confidence in the management of perinatal deaths, along with satisf…

matched on Stillbirth (mesh), Perinatal Death (mesh)