title: Maternal psychosocial consequences of twins and multiple births following assisted and natural conception: a meta-analysis.
abstract: The aim of this meta-analysis is to provide new evidence on the effects on maternal health of multiple births due to assisted reproductive technology (ART). A bibliographic search was undertaken using PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Science Direct. Data extraction was completed using Cochrane Review recommendations, and the review was performed following PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. Meta-analytic data were analysed using random effects models. Eight papers (2993 mothers) were included. Mothers of ART multiple births were significantly more likely to experience depression (standardized mean difference [SMD] d = 0.198, 95% CI 0.050 - 0.345, z = 2.623, P = 0.009; heterogeneity I(2) = 36.47%), and stress (SMD d = 0.177, 95% CI 0.049 - 0.305, P = 0.007; heterogeneity I(2) = 0.01%) than mothers of ART singletons. No difference in psychosocial distress (combined stress and depression) (SMD d = 0.371, 95% CI -0.153 - 0.895; I(2) = 86.962%, P = 0.001) or depression (d = 0.152, 95% CI -0.179 - 0.483: z = 0.901; I(2) = 36.918%) were found between mothers of ART and naturally conceived multiple births. In conclusion, mothers of ART multiple births were significantly more likely to have depression and stress than mothers of ART singletons, but were no different from mothers of naturally conceived multiples.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, Hendon, London, NW44BT, UK. Electronic address: O.vandenakker@mdx.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: van den Akker
authors.affiliation: Centre for Sustainable Working Life, Birkbeck, University of London, Malet Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1E 7HX, UK.
authors.forename: Gianina-Ioana
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Postavaru
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, WV1 1AD, UK.
authors.forename: Satvinder
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Purewal
mesh_terms: D003863:Depression; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D009035:Mothers; D009099:Multiple Birth Offspring / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple / Q000523:psychology*; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014427:Twins
keywords: assisted reproductive technology; depression; meta-analysis; multiple births; psychological distress; stress