Assessing the Evolution of Maternal and Paternal-fetus Attachment in Couples Conceiving Through Egg Donation

Recently, many families have been formed through gamete donation, a reproductive treatment where the ensuing children do not share a genetic link with either parents. However, despite such an increase, little is known about the parent-child relationship. Indeed, only two longitudinal studies have provided scientific background about family functioning in gamete donation. These studies showed that in egg donation families, the parent-child relationship was normal for parenting, parent psychological health, and child adjustment.

A more recent study evaluated mother-infant interaction in egg donation families comparing them with those created through IVF with their own gametes. Data collected showed that in egg donation families the mother-infant relationship quality appeared to be less optimal. Mothers were less interactive and stimulating, and infants showed lower involvement and less responsiveness with respect to their mothers Overall, the evidence suggests that women conceiving through egg donation likely require a variable period of adaptation to parenting. Here, the investigators aim to evaluate this interaction at an earlier stage, that is during the gestation. The specific bond that parents develop towards the fetus during pregnancy is called "parental-fetus attachment". Previous studies showed that the quality of the parental-fetus attachment is predictive of the quality of the postnatal parent-infant relationship and the child development The purpose is to evaluate whether the lack of genetic link with their offspring could undermine the parental attachment to the fetus, comparing couples conceiving through egg donation with those who get pregnant through a standard IVF treatment with their own gametes. No studies have been performed so far on this matter.

To assess the mother-father fetus attachment, the investigators will administer standardized and validated questionnaires to couples undergoing IVF with their own gametes, or egg donation cycles. For women, the investigators will use the Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale . For men, the investigators will use the Paternal Antenatal Attachment Scale (PAAS-IT) . Furthermore, to also assess the emotional status of both partners, the investigators will use the Matthey Generic Mood Questionnaire .

Seeing that in the general population the maternal-fetal attachment level increases once women have completed the principal prenatal genetic screenings (like NIPT, CVS or amnio) and once they start perceiving the fetal movements, the investigators will administer the same questionnaire twice: between the 19-23 weeks and between the 28-32 weeks of gestation. This approach will enable monitoring of the evolution of the maternal and paternal fetal attachment at relevant gestational time-points.

As a result of the knowledge gathered from this study, the investigators will be able to develop a specific intervention strategy to promote this fundamental process for egg donation families.