title: [Psychosocial factors in reproductive medicine].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since the development of assisted reproduction technology in the 1970s, assisted reproduction has become increasingly used by couples for various reasons. Concurrently, the diagnostic possibilities regarding the health of the unborn child have been elaborated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The present literature review describes and discusses the possibilities of assisted reproduction (in-vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection ICSI, cryopreservation, conception of children with the help of a third person) with respect to their psychosocial meaning for those affected and for the children conceived in this manner. The psychological strain pairs experience in the context of prenatal diagnostics and the resulting decisions are illustrated by a case study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The continued progression in the possibilities and resulting conflicts and decision- making processes in reproductive medicine confronts clinicians and psychosomatic/psychotherapeutic practitioners with many new challenges. In conclusion clinical recommendations for the psychosocial counseling of couples are given.
authors.affiliation: Univ. Klinik für Medizinische Psychologie, Speckbacherstraße 23, A-6020 Innsbruck.
authors.forename: Astrid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lampe
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinik für Medizinische Psychologie, Innsbruck, Österreich.
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schüßler
mesh_terms: D000025:Abortion, Eugenic / Q000523:psychology; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007246:Infertility / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D018587:Oocyte Donation / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000523:psychology; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*
keywords: ART; Egg Donation; Prenatal Screening; Psychosocial Support/Therapy; Psychosomatics in Reproductive Medicine