Risk factors for strong regret and subsequent IVF request after having tubal ligation.
OBJECTIVE
To identify and describe pre-sterilisation characteristics most consistently associated with intensive post-sterilisation regret and subsequent request for IVF.


METHODS
Case control study.


METHODS
Fertility clinic in a tertiary referral urban hospital, Sydney, Australia. SAMPLE CASES: Ninety-seven sterilised women who underwent evaluation for IVF during the period 1986-1996;


METHODS
101 sterilised women who remained satisfied with their tubal ligation.


METHODS
Variables known at the time of sterilisation including age, number of living children, history of abortion, underlying medical diseases, marital status, race, education, and timing of sterilisation.


RESULTS
In the multivariate analysis of data, age at the time of sterilisation had the most pronounced effect on strong regret. Women younger than 30 years old at the time of sterilisation were more likely to request IVF treatment than women 30 to 34 years old. A concurrent caesarean section was associated with a threefold risk (95% CI, 1.05-10.03) relative to an interval procedure. A strong protective effect (OR = 0.07; 95% CI, 0.01-0.65) was found for women with more than two children compared to childless women. The overwhelming reason stated by women requesting IVF was change in marital status, and the desire to have a child with the new partner.


CONCLUSIONS
Women with such characteristics who are considering tubal ligation need further caution and counselling.
Kariminia
Azar
A
Midwifery Research Unit, Hornsby Hospital, Hornsby, New South Wales, Australia.
Saunders
Douglas M
DM
Chamberlain
Marie
M
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D017533:Marital Status; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010298:Parity; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D013246:Sterilization, Tubal / Q000523:psychology*