Correlation between depression, anxiety, and nausea and vomiting during pregnancy in an in vitro fertilization population: a pilot study

Abstract

The study objective is to compare the prevalence of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) in singleton and twin gestations conceived via in vitro fertilization (IVF), and to analyze the impact of associated psychological factors. A cohort study on 45 singleton and 12 twin gestations was conducted at an academic practice. Three validated questionnaires assessing anxiety; depression; and NVP at baseline, 10-12 weeks, and 20-22 weeks gestation were used. The prevalence of NVP was compared between twins and singletons and its association with depression and anxiety was determined. Significantly more subjects with twin pregnancies reported NVP at 10-12 weeks of gestation. NVP was not associated with baseline depression or anxiety scores. There were no differences in depression scores between the groups at any time. A trend toward higher anxiety scores among twin gestations at 10-12 weeks was significant at 20-22 weeks. Within the twin group, anxiety scores remained stable, but scores for singletons decreased significantly from 10-12 weeks to 20-22 weeks. NVP is more common in the first trimester in twins compared with singletons following IVF. In IVF pregnancies, anxiety scores, but not depression scores, are higher in women with twin gestations. Women undergoing infertility treatment should be counseled accordingly when discussing the risks associated with multiple gestations.