Parenthood in Infertile Couples Attending Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs) Centers: What Has Changed During the COVID-19  Pandemic?

Gianmartin  Cito; Chiara  Pizzarelli; Vanessa  Zurkirch; Valentina  Basile; Maria  Ruggiero; Maria  Elisabetta Coccia; Pieraldo  Inaudi; Paolo  Rossi

doi:10.18502/jri.v23i2.8997

Gianmartin Cito Department of Urology, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
Chiara Pizzarelli Institute of Functional Psychology, Florence, Italy
Vanessa Zurkirch Regional Referral Centre for Relational Criticalities–Tuscany Region, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
Valentina Basile Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
Maria Ruggiero Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre, San Rossore Private Hospital, Pisa, Italy
Maria Elisabetta Coccia Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
Pieraldo Inaudi Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Centro Chirurgico Fiorentino e Centro Salute Riproduttiva, Firenze, Italy
Paolo Rossi Andrology Unit, Saint Claire Hospital, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jri.v23i2.8997

Keywords: COVID-19, Life style, Parents, Patients, Quality of life, Reproduction.

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has been shown to impact the lifestyle of couples of reproductive age and, in particular, their desire for parenthood. The purpose of this study was to carry out an evaluation on the potential changes of desire for parenthood among infertile couples waiting for assisted reproduction during the pandemic.

Methods: In this multicenter cross-sectional study, the quality of sexual life in Italian infertile couples was assessed and their well-being was evaluated before the pandemic and during the quarantine. All couples were asked to fill out a questionnaire, in which their desire for parenthood, sexual life, and well-being were investigated.

Results: Out of 1650 cases, 300 patients were finally enrolled. COVID-19 negatively impacted the well-being of individuals, leading to significantly reduced scores of happiness, feeling energetic, and interest in life (p<0.05). Although most couples had prolonged infertility, a small number of cases (4.0%) achieved a spontaneous natural pregnancy during the lockdown, probably due to more intimacy and longer time spent together. However, major concerns about the consequential effects of the virus on pregnancy and the risk of contagion in the hospital led a small number of infertile couples (5.0%) to decide to postpone their parenting project.

Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic may have created a further negative impact on couples, reducing their desire for parenthood. This attitude could result in a decrease in births in the near future.