Development and evaluation of the Adaptation Support Program in Early Pregnancy after the use of assisted reproductive technology

Aim To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and outcome of the Adaptation Support Program in Early Pregnancy after the use of assisted reproductive technology (ART). Methods The participants were 57 primiparas who had undergone ART and had received the Adaptation Support Program. The data were gathered by using questionnaires before (Time 1), immediately after (Time 2), and 8 weeks after (Time 3) the intervention between August, 2014 and March, 2015. The data for the 40 women who gave valid answers were analyzed statistically. Results Of the respondents, 75% gave a positive evaluation that the program met their expectations and >80% positively evaluated it for its convenience, problem-solving intentionality, satisfaction, and usefulness. The Anticipatory Anxiety for Loss Scale (AALS) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-J) scores decreased significantly at Times 2 and 3 and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores at Time 3. The Post-traumatic Growth Inventory-Japanese (PTGI-J) scores, showing growth as a result of infertility experience, increased significantly at Time 3. The Care Need Satisfaction Scale (CNSS) scores showed a positive correlation with the PTGI-J scores and negative correlations with the AALS and STAI-J, but did not correlate with the EPDS. Conclusion This program was evaluated positively. The AALS, PTGI-J, EPDS, and STAI showed significant change after the program and the AALS, PTGI-J, and STAI-J showed significant correlations with the CNSS.