Women who conceive using assisted reproductive technology, such as IVF, are more likely to feel anxious and lack confidence in caring for their babies than those who conceive without treatment, according to a University of Melbourne study.

In the largest Australian study of mothering after assisted conception, research fellow Dr Karin Hammarberg, from the Key Centre for Women’s Health in Society, tracked more than 150 women over the first 18 months of motherhood.

Their experiences of early parenting were compared with data taken from the general population and other surveys of new mothers.

The study found that compared to other women, those who conceived using assisted reproductive technologies were:
• Three times more likely to be admitted to early parenting centres;
• Less likely to be breastfeeding their babies at three months;
• Less confident about their mothering skills;
• More anxious about caring for a new baby;
• Twice as likely to have a caesarean; and
• More likely to be disappointed with their birth experience.

Dr Hammarberg says there is a correlation between the amount of difficulty a woman has in conceiving and her confidence levels on leaving hospital.

“Women who take longer to conceive, go through more treatment cycles and have miscarriages have lower levels of confidence when they go home with their new babies,’’ she says.

Dr Hammarberg’s research also found that women who received assisted reproductive technology were also on average five years older when they gave birth, more likely to be first time mothers and nine times more likely to have twins.

Dr Hammarberg says women who conceive using fertility treatment have very high expectations of life with a new baby.

“These expectations can leave them unprepared for the extraordinary demands involved in caring for a newborn,’’ she says.

“A degree of distrust in their ability to care for their baby may also explain their higher use of residential parenting services such as sleep schools.

“However, because it has been so difficult for them to fall pregnant, they are immensely grateful for their children and do not feel entitled to complain about the problems and anxieties of new motherhood.’’

Dr Hammarberg’s says her study provides important information for health professionals working with new mothers.

“My study clearly shows that many women who receive fertility treatment need extra support once they become mothers – and this is a great opportunity to intervene early and support them before problems arise,’’ she says.

Dr Hammarberg’s study suggests strategies to better prepare women for parenthood. These include:

• Reassuring women that it is normal to feel ambivalent about motherhood;
• Providing women with information about their increased likelihood of caesarean to lessen disappointment after birth;
• Boosting women’s belief in their ability to care for their baby;
• Intensive support to help women with breastfeeding problems;
• Practical advice on feeding and settling babies after leaving hospital; and
• Including fathers in pre-natal education so they understand how important it is to provide practical and emotional support to their partners.

“Being a new mother can be extremely exhausting and isolating, especially if your baby is unsettled and cries a lot,’’ Dr Hammarberg says.

“Women need to know that, regardless of how they have conceived their baby, that needing help is universal and normal.’’