Study of the effectiveness of a coping self-help intervention for women in the waiting period after an embryo transfer during an IVF/ICSI treatment

Undergoing an IVF or ICSI treatment is an emotional and physical burden for
both the woman and her partner. Most stressful for the couple is waiting for
the result of the treatment, the period after the embryotransfer until the
pregnancy test or menstruation and an unsuccessful treatment. Symptoms of
anxiety and depression have been identified in couples during the waitingperiod
after an embryotransfer. For this waitingperiod a short selfhelp
copinginterventie has been developed based on the stress theory of Lazarus &
Folkman for women to use at home. Goal of the instrument is to stimulate the
copingstyle positive reappraisal. Research has demonstrated that using this
copingstyle can have a positive impact in health related circumstances.

To investigate if a short copingintervention reduces anxiety in patients
undergoing an IVF or ICSI treatment in the UMCU during the waitingperiod after
an embryotransfer.

In this research a randomised controlled trial (RCT) will be used for four
groups. The choice for three groups has been based on earlier research with a
daily record keeping (DRK). The DRK is a daily measurement for emotions,
copingstyle and physical complaints. Previous research with the DRK showed an
increase of anxiety. More research must be done of the impact of the DRK.

Group 1: Positive Reapraissal Coping Interventio (PRCI) & DRK & questionnaires
Group 2: DRK & questionnaires
Group 3: Standard care & questionnaires
Group 4: PRCI & questionnaires

A selfhelp coping intervention

Using the coping intervention may reduce anxiety for the patient. The use of
this instrument is not a burden for patients.
The burden for patients is to complete questionnaires before, during and six
weeks after the embryotransfer. Partners are asked to fill in a questionnaire
at three times.