Spontaneous conception after a successful attempt at in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of spontaneous pregnancy in women who were not actively undergoing therapy after a successful attempt at IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection and to characterize its pattern of occurrence.


METHODS
Retrospective postal questionnaire.


METHODS
An assisted reproduction unit at a university-based teaching hospital.


METHODS
Five hundred thirteen replies were received from 530 questionnaires mailed.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Spontaneous pregnancy. Women who did and did not conceive spontaneously after successful IVF treatment were compared in terms of their age, duration of infertility, previous reproductive history, and indication for treatment at the time of assisted reproduction.


RESULTS
The rate of spontaneous conception among the survey respondents was 20.7%. Younger women (</=34 years of age) had a higher rate of spontaneous conception, as did those with a shorter duration of infertility. Women with unexplained infertility and endometriosis also were more likely to conceive. Few of those who had undergone intracytoplasmic sperm injection conceived, whereas 21.6% of those whose partners had had sperm quality sufficient for IVF later conceived spontaneously.


CONCLUSIONS
The chances of spontaneous conception after successful ART therapy are significant in some groups of patients. This has implications for the practice of assisted reproduction and the obstetric care of patients who conceive with treatment. Contraceptive advice may need to be provided to couples who undergo IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
Hennelly
B
B
Human Assisted Reproduction Ireland, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Harrison
R F
RF
Kelly
J
J
Jacob
S
S
Barrett
T
T
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008423:Maternal Age; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors