Assisted Reproduction: General Concepts and Psychological Aspects Involved

Abstract

According to the International Committee Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies, infertility is defined as the failure to conceive after at least 1 year of unprotected sexual intercourse, while the assisted reproduction (AR) consists of all treatments or procedures that include the in vitro manipulation of oocytes, spermatozoa, or human embryos with the purpose of establishing pregnancy. Assisted reproductive techniques (ART) could be low complexity, when fecundation occurs in the female reproductive system, or high complexity, when fecundation is performed at laboratory and the resulting embryos are transferred into the mother’s womb. The steps involved on IVF comprehend ovarian stimulation, follicular aspiration for oocyte pickup, laboratory fertilization, and embryo transfer. The psychological elements of the entire problematic of the infertile couple, handled by the health professional, should be seen in a holistic way, more direct and broad. The conduct of the health professional, especially of public and mental health, necessarily implies into prevention.