Child-rearing following in vitro fertilization.

The present study compares child-rearing among IVF parents (45 couples), other formerly infertile parents (35 couples) and fertile parents (35 couples) with a child between 2 and 4 years of age. Both mothers and fathers answered a questionnaire on parenting behaviour and on their child. The IVF mothers and other previously infertile mothers reported a higher emotional involvement with their child, and a greater parental competence compared to the fertile mothers. The IVF mothers rated their children more often as "social' and less often as "obstinate' than the other mothers. No significant differences were found among the fathers.