Women's views on Friendly IVF: a qualitative preliminary study.
OBJECTIVE
To study in the French Context women's experiences with a low-stimulation regimen of in vitro fertilisation (Friendly IVF) and to compare them with those of women undergoing standard IVF (S-IVF).


METHODS
Two assisted reproduction technology centers participated in this preliminary study. Patients'views were explored qualitatively. In-depth interviews were conducted at the end of the second monitored cycle. Twelve friendly IVF patients and 13 S-IVF patients participated in the study.


RESULTS
The respondents indicated that the most positive aspect of Friendly IVF was the low doses of hormones used. Cancellation of cycles and failure of oocyte retrieval were perceived the most negatively. Women in the Friendly IVF group reported fewer side effects and expressed emotional distress less acutely than women in the S-IVF group. The Friendly IVF treatment was percieved as a first step, sustaining the hope of success with a standard treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Friendly IVF, as practiced in the center studied, represents a valuable alternative for most respondents as a first step in IVF treatment.
Garel
Micheline
M
INSERM, UMR S149, IFR 69, Epidemiological Research Unit on Perinatal and Women's Health, Villejuif, France. micheline.garel@inserm.fr
Blondel
Béatrice
B
Karpel
Lea
L
Blanchet
Valerie
V
Breart
Gerard
G
Frydman
Rene
R
Olivennes
François
F
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000523:psychology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D019233:Retreatment; D017211:Treatment Failure