Design and psychometric evaluation of the collaborative coping with infertility questionnaire in candidate of assisted reproductive techniques.

Evaluating couples' coping with infertility and its impact on their mental health is valuable in designing supportive programs. Since infertility is a shared problem in married life, coping with it requires collaborative coping strategies. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to design and psychometrically evaluate the collaborative coping with infertility questionnaire (CCIQ) in candidates of assisted reproductive techniques (ART). The exploratory factor analysis of a 27-item questionnaire designed based on the Likert scale in the Persian language was evaluated through the principal component analysis method in a cross-sectional study conducted on 200 couples who volunteered for ART. The cut-off point of factor loadings was considered 0.4. Furthermore, the criterion validity of the questionnaire was evaluated using a 12-item revised Fertility Adjustment Scale (R-FAS) and its relationship with the score of the CCIQ. Moreover, the internal consistency of the questionnaire was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha correlation coefficient. In the exploratory factor analysis, 20 items with a factor loading above 0.4 were extracted under three factors. The three extracted factors with a value above one explained 43.78% of the variance of CCIQ. The factor loading of the accepted items ranged between 0.402 and 0.691. External reliability was confirmed with Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.98. The relationship between CCIQ and R-FAS score was significant (p < 0.0001). The results of the study showed that the 20-item CCIQ enjoyed acceptable validity and reliability in the three dimensions of 'dynamic interaction,' 'reorganizing married life goals,' and 'perception about infertility,' which can be used to evaluate collaborative coping with infertility questionnaire in ART candidates.

Development of an exclusive breastfeeding intervention based on the theory of planned behavior for mothers with preterm infants: Study protocol for a mixed methods study.

BACKGROUND: Despite the significance and benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, its rate among infants, especially preterm infants, is not optimal. Based on evidence, the mother's attitude toward breastfeeding, the subjective norm, and the mother's perceived behavioral control play a role in initiation and continuation of breastfeeding; so the interventions that consider these factors may be useful for breastfeeding premature infants. The aim of this study is to design and develop an exclusive breastfeeding intervention based on the theory of planned behavior for mothers with preterm infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This exploratory, sequential, mixed methods study will be conducted in three phases. In the first phase, a qualitative study will be conducted based on the theory of planed behavior, to describe the exclusive breastfeeding beliefs of the mothers with preterm infants, the barriers to breastfeeding, and to explain the ways to overcome them. Moreover, the items of the Predictors Of Exclusive Breastfeeding Questionnaire are prepared based on the theory of planned behavior. In the second phase, the intervention plan is designed based on the literature review and the findings of the qualitative study, and it is approved by a panel of experts. Additionally, the psychometric properties of the questionnaire are evaluated and confirmed qualitatively and quantitatively. In the third phase, the developed intervention is implemented and evaluated. CONCLUSION: Implementation of supportive educational interventions based on scientific theories can be a step toward improving the rate of onset and continuation of breastfeeding in mothers with preterm infants. Development of interventions based on evidence, identified beliefs, and perceived barriers of the mothers with preterm infants can provide the foundation for more effective interventions according to cultural, social, and religious contexts.

Psychosocial determinants of sexual health in newly married couples: a protocol for a mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND: Regarding psychosocial factors affecting sexual health and in most cultures, healthy and pleasurable sexual relations are valued in the family context, the present study aims to identify the psychosocial determinants of sexual health in newly married couples. METHODS: The present mixed-methods study will be conducted in three phases. The first phase will be carried out qualitatively based on which psychosocial determinants of the sexual health of newly married couples will be extracted. In the second phase, questionnaire items of psychosocial determinants of sexual health in newly married couples will be compiled, and face validity (quantitative and qualitative), content validity (quantitative and qualitative), and reliability of the questionnaire will be evaluated. In the third phase, which will be the quantitative phase of the study, the construct validity of the questionnaire will be assessed by analyzing the main items. Moreover, at this stage, the relationship between the extracted psychosocial determinants and the sexual health of newly married couples will be investigated. DISCUSSION: By explaining the psychosocial determinants of sexual health in newly married couples, it is possible to identify key variables for designing interventions that improve the sexual health of this group, based on their cultural sensitivities.

Psychological Experiences in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Qualitative Study.

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder among women of reproductive years. In addition to multiple physical problems, this syndrome has many psychological complications. Thus, the present study attempted to explore the psychological experiences of women with PCOS in Iran's sociocultural context. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in Isfahan, Iran, using a qualitative content analysis method. The participants were selected through purposive sampling from women with PCOS, their spouses, and healthcare providers in hospitals, clinics, workplaces, universities, and physicians' offices between September 2018 and November 2019. Data collection was performed through semi-structured interviews until data saturation. Data analysis was based on conventional content analysis. The interviews were transcribed and coded. Afterward, categories and concepts were extracted by grouping similar codes. Results: A total of 13 women with PCOS, four spouses, and 13 healthcare providers participated in this study. Data analysis yielded five main categories, including the patient's psychological reactions following infertility and its probability, psychological issues following menstrual disorders, patients' fear and concerns about the probability of developing chronic diseases, psychological problems following the disease, and psychological problems resulting from body appearance. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that women with PCOS were exposed to multiple psychological problems. Therefore, preventing and controlling the psychological consequences of PCOS and its complications requires healthcare providers' support and comprehensive and long-term planning to promote the mental health of these women.

Spouse's coping strategies mediate the relationship between women's coping strategies and their psychological health among infertile couples.

Social problems and suffering from the treatment process for infertile couples, especially for women, require the couples to cope with them to balance the infertility crisis. According to the close interactions of the couples with each other, the objective of the present study was to explore a theoretical framework for the relationships between women's coping strategies, spouses' coping strategies, and women's psychological health in infertile couples who were candidates for assisted reproductive technology (ART). This cross-sectional study was carried out on 212 couples undergoing ART. The couples' coping strategies were evaluated using a validated self-report questionnaire. The women's psychological health was assessed using a 21-item stress, anxiety, and depression scale (DASS-21). Statistical analysis was performed using the plug-in application PROCESS macro for SPSS. The direct effect of the women's self-blame and self-focused rumination strategies (p < .0001), and the indirect effect of the women's self-blame on stress and depression by mediating spouses' self-blame and self-focused rumination strategies, was significant. The indirect effect of the women's self-focused rumination on the anxiety and depression levels by mediating spouses' self-blame strategy was significant. The women's self-blame and self-focused rumination strategies had a negative effect on the women's psychological health who were undergoing ART. This negative effect was mediated by the spouse's coping strategies.

Designing, implementing and evaluating an educational program regarding the effects of second-hand smoke in pregnancy on the knowledge, attitude and performance of male smokers.

INTRODUCTION: Contact with second-hand cigarette smoke includes inhalation of cigarette smoke caused by the burning of the cigarette itself and inhalation of smoke exhaled by the smoker. Wife's pregnancy can be a motivating factor to change the behavior of men who smoke. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of designing, implementing and evaluating an educational program regarding the effects of second-hand smoke in pregnancy on the knowledge, attitude and performance of male smokers. METHODOLOGY: The present study is an interventional type of pre-test and post-test. In this phase, sampling from health centers in Isfahan was done randomly between March and July 2019, the participants were 140 smoking spouses of pregnant women, who visited health centers to receive pregnancy care, and were divided into two intervention groups and control were divided. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire on men's awareness, attitude and performance regarding second-hand smoke. All data were analyzed with SPSS18 software and Chi-score, Fisher, t-test. RESULTS: The average age of the participants was 34 years. There was no significant difference between the comparison of demographic variables in the intervention and control groups (p > 0.05). The results of the paired t-test for comparing before and after the training showed that the average score of the emotional dimension of attitude in the two groups of intervention (p < 0.001) and control (p < 0.001), awareness (p < 0.001) and behavior (p < 0.001) was significantly increased in the intervention group after the training, and according to the independent t-test, the average score of the items mentioned after the training in the intervention group was higher than the control group (p < 0.05). Regarding perceived sensitivity (p = 0.066) and perceived severity (p = 0.065), no significant difference was observed. CONCLUSION: The awareness, emotional aspect of men's attitude and behavior regarding secondhand smoke increased, but the perceived sensitivity and severity in this regard was not significant despite the increase, so the current training package is effective in training, but considering more training sessions It is necessary with more concrete training with model or training videos in order to improve the sensitivity and perceived intensity of men. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registration of this randomized control trial has been completed with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, IRCT20180722040555N1.

Relationship between mental health and climacteric adjustment in middle aged women: a confirmatory analysis.

BACKGROUND: Climacteric changes in women are associated with an increased probability of psychological symptoms. Identifying the relationship between adjustment to this period and mental health helps to plan for middle-aged women's health improvement. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between climacteric adjustment (CA) and mental health in middle aged women. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 190 women aged 40 to 53 years. Mental health symptoms (including hypochondriasis, anxiety, depression, and social impairment) and CA were assessed using 28-item general health questionnaire and the CA questionnaire, respectively, as a self-report. Data were analyzed using linear and stepwise regression methods, and the fitting of the resulting conceptual model was assessed using AMOS software. RESULTS: The results showed that hypochondriasis score and social impairment, anxiety level and CA in the perfection dimension, and social impairment score and CA in perfection, decline in beauty, and sexual silence dimensions had an inverse relationship. Moreover, the relationship between anxiety score and CA in the reaction to end of menstruation and the relationship between social impairment and decline of femininity were positive and significant. Factor analysis of the conceptual model obtained from the study results demonstrated a good model fit (CMIN /DF = 0.807, P = .671). CONCLUSION: The results showed a relationship between CA and psychological symptoms in middle-aged women. In other words, the level of hypochondriasis, anxiety, and social impairment symptoms decreased with increasing CA in sexual silence, perfection, and decline in beauty.

Climacteric changes in women are associated with increased psychological symptoms. Identifying the relationship between adjustment to this period and mental health helps to plan for middle-aged women's health improvement. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between climacteric adjustment (CA) and mental health in middle aged women. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 190 women aged 40 to 53 years. Mental health symptoms (including hypochondriasis, anxiety, depression, and social impairment) and CA were assessed using 28-item general health questionnaire and the CA questionnaire, respectively, as a self-report. The results showed that hypochondriasis score and social impairment, anxiety level and CA in the perfection dimension, and social impairment score and CA in perfection, decline in beauty, and sexual silence dimensions had an inverse relationship. Moreover, the relationship between anxiety score and CA in the reaction to end of menstruation and the relationship between social impairment and decline of femininity were positive and significant. The results showed a relationship between CA and psychological symptoms in middle-aged. In other words, the level of hypochondriasis, anxiety, and social impairment symptoms decreased with increasing CA in sexual silence, perfection, and decline in beauty.

The relationship between women's breastfeeding empowerment and conformity to feminine norms.

BACKGROUND: Women empowerment is effective in successful breastfeeding. Hence,identifying the relationship between psychosocial factors, such as acceptance of feminine norms, and empowerment can be beneficial in designing interventions.. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the relationship between breastfeeding empowerment and conformity to feminine norms. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 288 primiparous mothers in the postpartum period using validated questionnaires of conformity to gender norms and breastfeeding empowerment in the following domains: "sufficient knowledge and skills for breastfeeding," "a sense of breastfeeding competence," "conscious belief in the value of breastfeeding," "overcoming breastfeeding problems," "negotiation and obtaining family support" and "self-efficacy in breastfeeding" which were completed through the self-report method. Data were analyzed using the multivariate linear regression test. RESULTS: The mean score of 'conformity to feminine norms' and 'breastfeeding empowerment' were 142.39 and 144.14, respectively. The score of breastfeeding empowerment was positively related to conformity to feminine norms (p = 0.003). Among the dimensions of breastfeeding empowerment, 'mothers' adequate knowledge and skills for breastfeeding' (p = 0.001), 'belief in the value of breastfeeding' (p = 0.008), and 'negotiation and obtaining family support' (p = 0.01) were positively related to conformity to feminine norms. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate a positive relationship between the level of conformity to feminine norms and breastfeeding empowerment. Accordingly, it is recommended that supporting breastfeeding as a valuable role of women be considered in programs designed to improve breastfeeding empowerment.

Environmental factors influencing women's childbirth experiences in labor-delivery-recovery-postpartum unit: a qualitative cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Women's experiences of birth environment influence their mental health and that of their families. Identifying women's childbirth experiences in the labor-delivery-recovery-postpartum unit (LDRP) unit can help design a peaceful environment. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate environmental factors influencing women's childbirth experiences in LDRP unit. METHODS: This qualitative cross-sectional study was conducted on 20 women with a childbirth experience in the LDRP unit. A purposive sampling was performed and continued until data saturation. The data were collected through unstructured interviews and analyzed using inductive content analysis. RESULTS: Data analysis led to the extraction of three categories: physical security, a meaning-oriented environment, and physical comfort. The physical security category was obtained from three sub-categories: privacy, bed ergonomics, and the possibility of medical interventions. The meaning-oriented environment category was extracted from four sub-categories: promising symbols of becoming a mother, a peaceful environment, and a spiritual environment, and the physical comfort category was extracted from three sub-categories: minimizing noise pollution, ambient lighting, and LDRP internal design. CONCLUSIONS: These study results showed that women's experience of giving birth in LDRP was accompanied by perceiving physical security, a meaning-oriented environment, and physical comfort. Moreover, the results indicated that the childbirth experience in the LDRP unit might be influenced by physical and emotional environmental factors. Therefore, in order to design a peaceful environment, it is necessary to take into account these factors.

Body perception in pregnant women: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Dramatic body changes in pregnancy cause severe concerns among pregnant women about their appearance. Therefore, this study aimed to explore body perception in pregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The qualitative study, using the conventional content analysis approach, was conducted on Iranian pregnant women who were in their second or third trimester of pregnancy. Participants were selected through purposeful sampling method. In-depth and semi-structured interviews were held with 18 pregnant women aged 22 to 36 years, using open-ended questions. Sampling was performed until data saturation was reached. RESULTS: Three main categories were extracted from 18 interviews: (1) "symbols," with two subcategories, including 'motherhood' and 'vulnerability,' (2) "feelings toward body changes," with five subcategories, including 'negative feelings toward skin changes,' 'feeling unfit,' 'attention-drawing body shape,' 'the ridiculous body shape' and 'obesity,' and (3) "attraction and beauty," with two subcategories, including 'sexual attraction' and 'facial beauty.' CONCLUSION: The results showed that pregnant women's body perception could be described as maternal feelings and feminine attitudes toward changes during pregnancy compared to mental ideals of facial and body beauty. It is recommended that Iranian women's body perception during pregnancy be evaluated using this study results and that counseling interventions be implemented for women with negative body perceptions.

Effect of a follow-up counseling program on mental health of oocyte donors: A randomized field trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a follow-up counseling program on oocyte donors' mental health. METHODS: A randomized controlled field trial conducted on 72 Iranian women who volunteered for oocyte donation. The intervention was designed based on the qualitative section of the study and review of the literature, as face-to-face counseling, an Instagram page, an educational pamphlet, and a briefing session for service providers. Mental health was assessed using the DASS-21 questionnaire in two stages before ovarian stimulation (T1) and ovum pick-up (T2). RESULTS: The scores of depression, anxiety, and stress after ovum pick-up in the intervention group were significantly lower than in the control group. Besides, after ovum pick-up, the satisfaction of participation in an assisted reproductive technique (P < 0.001) in the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group, respectively. In the intervention group, the mean scores of depression and stress were lower at T2 compared to T1 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study showed that the follow-up counseling program could influence these oocyte donors' mental health during participation in assisted reproductive techniques. Designing these programs in the cultural context of each country is recommended. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20200617047811N1), Date of registration: 07/25/2020, Registry URL: https://www.irct.ir/trial/49196.

The relationship between depression and sexual satisfaction: An equation model analysis.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between depression and sexual satisfaction in middle-aged women has been reported previously. However, there is insufficient evidence that depression is related to sexual satisfaction or that sexual satisfaction is related to depression. This study evaluated the relationship between depression and sexual satisfaction in middle-aged women by evaluating the equation model analysis of the two models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 190 middle-aged women in Isfahan, Iran, in 2021. Sexual satisfaction dimensions were evaluated using self-report women's sexual satisfaction questionnaire. Also, the depression scale of the general health questionnaire was used to measure of the depression level. Research data were analyzed using a multivariate linear regression test. Also, the fit of the model was evaluated using Amos software. RESULTS: The results showed that depression score had an inverse relationship with sexual satisfaction in the relational concern dimension (Beta = -0.27, P = 0.006, CI: -0.11 to - 0.86). Model fit evaluation showed that the sexual satisfaction-depression model had a better fit than the depression-sexual satisfaction model (CMIN/DF = 1.123, P = 0.64). CONCLUSION: The results showed that depression in middle-aged women is related to the relational concern. It is necessary to consider counseling programs to solve sexual relationship concerns in middle-aged women's mental health promotion programs.

Effect of using 5A's model for lifestyle counseling on psychological symptoms in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized field trial.

Lifestyle modification in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) could be associated with increased psychological symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of lifestyle modification counseling using 5A's model on the psychological symptoms of women with PCOS. This double-blind, randomized field trial was performed on 70 women with PCOS in two groups of lifestyle modification counseling based on 5A's model and counseling without using the model. The intervention was performed based on five stages of the 5A's model (Assess, Advise, Agree, Assist, Arrange) during a week, and psychological symptoms were assessed using Symptom Checklist-90-R before the intervention and one and three months after the intervention. The results showed that one and three months after the intervention, the level of psychological symptoms, except obsessive-compulsive level, were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Moreover, the level of these symptoms decreased over time in the intervention group (p < 0.0001). Using the 5A's model in lifestyle modification counseling is associated with the promotion of psychological health in women with PCOS, and this model is recommended for lifestyle counseling in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Development and evaluation of couple-based coping strategies with infertility: a protocol for a mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND: Different coping strategies have been associated with various effects on infertile couples' mental health. Considering the close interaction between couples, the present study aims to develop coping strategies for infertile couples using a couple-based approach. METHODS: The present mixed-methods study will be conducted in three phases. In order to develop coping strategies, a qualitative study will be conducted in the first phase, during which semi-structured interviews will be implemented with infertile couples in order to collect data related to their lived experiences in using coping strategies. These data will be inductively analyzed using qualitative content analysis and interpretative phenomenological analysis. In the second phase, using the Delphi method, an initial draft of coping strategies will be designed using a couple-based approach based on the data obtained from the qualitative study and the related literature review. In the third phase, the designed couple-based strategies will be provided to two groups of infertile couples as a randomized field superiority trial study. The couples' levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and adjustment will be evaluated using validated questionnaires before and 3 months after the intervention. DISCUSSION: Couple-based coping strategies encourage couples to become aware of each other's feelings while interacting and choose a strategy based on such feelings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20191014045102N1 . Registered on 19 October 2021. PROTOCOL VERSION: Current protocol: version 1 (22 May 2022).

Changes of health related quality of life during pregnancy based on pregnancy context: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The significance of planned pregnancy is an accepted principle for improving the health of pregnant women; and quality of life, as one of the important indicators of women's health, is reduced in high-risk pregnancies. The aim of this research was to investigate the changes in the health related quality of life (HRQL) in low risk pregnancies in different groups based on pregnancy context. METHODS: The present study was a prospective study conducted on 250 pregnant women divided into three groups of women with planned pregnancy, unplanned/wanted pregnancy and unwanted pregnancy. Then, using WHOQOL-26 questionnaire, the quality of life of these women was measured in physical, psychological, social and environmental dimensions at the beginning of pregnancy as well as at the end of the first, second and third trimesters. RESULTS: Based on the results, the mean score of environmental-HRQL in women with unwanted pregnancy was significantly lower than the other two groups. All dimensions on HRQL were influenced by time and group. However, changes in the physical, psychological and social dimensions of HRQL varied within the groups. Physical- HRQL changes were different within the groups. The intergroup effect on environmental dimension of quality of life changes was significant. CONCLUSIONS: It was observed in this study that HRQL in the women with unwanted pregnancy was lower than the women with planned pregnancy and those with unplanned /wanted pregnancy. Moreover, increase in gestational age would lower quality of life, but this decline had a similar pattern in different groups.

Psychological health associated with prenatal screening in low-risk pregnancy for chromosomal aneuploidy.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the psychological health associated with prenatal screening in low-risk pregnancy for chromosomal aneuploidy. METHODS: This longitudinal study was performed on 310 low-risk pregnancies for chromosomal aneuploidies. Using the standard DASS-21 questionnaire, levels of stress, anxiety, and depression were assessed-prior to the recommended time for the first-trimester screening test (T1), after the first-trimester tests on the second referral (T2) concurrently with the request for the second-trimester tests (T3)-and compared between women undergoing the prenatal screening and in women refusing it. RESULTS: The results showed that the mean of stress, anxiety, and depression levels were not different between groups at T1; but the level of the stress, depression, and anxiety were higher in the screening group than the non-screening group. The effect of group on changes in the stress, depression, and anxiety levels was significant. CONCLUSION: The results revealed that the prenatal screening program in low-risk pregnancies for chromosomal aneuploidy can be followed by rising psychological symptoms and this psychological burden should be conceded on prenatal screening tests for pregnant women.

Changes in prenatal depression and anxiety levels in low risk pregnancy among Iranian women: A prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Increasing of depression and anxiety in high risk pregnancy is well known but there is limited information on the changes of psychological symptoms in low risk pregnancies and the aim of the study was evaluation depression and anxiety changes in pregnant women with high risk pregnancy. METHODS: This prospective study was performed on 256 pregnant women at the beginning of the first trimester of pregnancy. Inclusion criteria included the absence of pre-pregnancy depression and anxiety and poor pregnancy history. Exclusion criteria were the incidence of pregnancy complications. The level of their depression and anxiety at the time of entering the study were completed by self-report using the DASS questionnaire at 9-10, 11-12, 24-25, and 33-35 weeks of pregnancy. RESULTS: The results of the study indicated that the effect of time on the level of perinatal depression and anxiety was significant (P < .001). These findings showed that the level of depression increased significantly from 9 to 24 weeks of pregnancy and decreased in the 32-34 weeks, but did not reach the level of depression at 9 weeks of pregnancy. Also, the anxiety level increased significantly from the onset of pregnancy to the 24 weeks gestation but did not change during the second and third trimesters. CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that the level of depression and anxiety of women in low risk pregnancies increase during pregnancy and psychological health screenings in the second trimester of pregnancy should be performed in pregnant women.

Self-image and social-image of the donors: Two different views from oocyte donors' eyes.

To identify the perceptions of women oocyte donors this qualitative study was conducted on 30 oocyte donors using in-depth interview. The three main categories of decision-making challenge, the consequences of participation in assisted reproductive treatment, and the contrast between the self-image and social-image of the donor were inferred. Financial and altruistic motivation, social taboo, and the approval of trusted people were the sub-categories of the decision-making challenge. The results of the study showed that the decision for oocyte donation follows the effort of women to balance the financial and spiritual benefits of the donation against its cultural barriers.

Essential Criteria for Designing Healthy Maternity Wear: A Narrative Review.

Background: During pregnancy, because of unique changes in the body, pregnant women need access to clothes that meet their biological needs and inspire a positive attitude toward the body. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to investigate the essential criteria for healthy designing maternity clothing. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted as a narrative review. Searches were performed in MEDLINE, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, EMBASE, ERIC, and ProQuest databases for the documents written between 2000 and 2021 regardless of the research methodology and the employed tools. Results: The results of this study were presented in three areas including women's expectations of maternity dress design, psycho-social effects of maternity wear, and maternal clothing designs. Conclusions: The results of this study expand the knowledge of healthy maternity wear designers and, consequently, show that maternity clothing should hold three characteristics, adaptability, comfort, and stylishness, and meanwhile minimize the protrusion of enlarged areas of the body.

Emotions towards potential genetic offspring among oocyte donors: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The presence of maternal emotions towards the offspring resulting from assisted reproductive techniques (ART) has been previously reported in oocyte donors. However, there is limited information about the presence of these emotions in oocyte donors during the ART process and before pregnancy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the emotions of oocyte donor women towards the potential genetic offspring and to compare them with women treated with ART by using own oocytes. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 women who were divided into two groups of oocyte donors and those treated with ART and using autologous oocyte. At the time of oocyte retrieval. Using a validated questionnaire, the emotions toward potential offspring (EPO) resulting from ART and its three dimensions (including imagination, sense of ownership, and importance of treatment outcome) were measured and compared in two groups. RESULTS: Comparison of the EPO in the two groups showed that the emotions in all three dimensions were lower in oocyte donors than the other group (p < 0.001). Moreover, in oocyte donors, the mean score of the scale of the importance of treatment outcome dimension was higher than the other two scales (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that there is a significant emotion toward the potential offspring in oocyte donors. The presence of these emotions thus should be considered in formulating the ethical charter of ART by using oocyte donation.

There is limited information about the presence of maternal emotions in egg donor women during the assisted reproductive techniques (ART) process and before pregnancy. The aim of this study was to evaluate these emotions of women towards the potential genetic offspring and to compare them with women treated with ART by using own oocytes. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 women who were divided into two groups of egg donor and those treated with ART and using autologous oocyte. At the time of oocyte retrieval and using a validated questionnaire, the emotions toward potential offspring (EPO) resulting from ART and its three dimensions (including imagination, sense of ownership, and importance of treatment outcome) were measured and compared in two groups. Out of 100 women. Comparison of the EPO in the two groups showed that the emotions in all three dimensions were lower in egg donors than the other group. Moreover, in egg donors, the mean score of the scale of the importance of treatment outcome dimension was higher than the other two scales. The results of the study showed that there is a significant emotion toward the potential offspring in oocyte donors. The presence of these emotions thus should be considered in formulating the ethical charter of ART by using oocyte donation.