It’s totally the opposite of what you’d expect! Danish researchers have published results of a ground-breaking study of depression rates in women following IVF. Â The surprising results reveal that women who have babies following IVF treatment have 5 times the risk of developing depression than those who have a failed cycle. Concerns have usually focussed on these women.
“The new results are surprising. We had assumed it would be quite the opposite,” said  Dr Camilla Sandal Sejbaek, study lead researcher at the University of Copenhagen. “Our study shows clearly that women who become mothers after fertility  treatment have an increased risk of developing depression in the first 6 weeks after birth, compared with women who did not have a child. It could be caused by hormonal changes or mental factors. We did not find any correlation between the number of fertility treatments and the subsequent risk of depression.”
The study results appear in the journal Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica and is based on data from 41,00 Danish women who had IVF treatment at various clinics.
How does this help IVF patients?
With increasing numbers of babies conceived by IVF to older mothers, this new research brings focus to a little understood area of care for women. IVF mums risk of post birth blues can be reduced by  good pre-conceptual care.
As doctors in fertility clinics become aware of the link between IVF and post-natal depression, they can advise women on best ways to prevent it. Couples are in a better position to access fertility coaching and counseling before embarking on arduous treatment regimes, during IVF. They’ll expect continued support throughout pregnancy. Couples who factor in the emotional and mental health aspects of fertility treatment at an early stage as part of their process report feeling less stressed and isolated.
“It can be a tough process, and our findings show there is not a greater risk of depression if the IVF treatment is unsuccessful,” revealed Dr Lone Schmidt, associate professor at the University of Copenhagen.
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