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In vitro fertilization in the Netherlands: Experiences and opinions of Dutch women

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Abstract

We sent written questionnaires to 93 Dutch women [73 current and potential clients of the Rotterdam in vitro fertilization (IVF) program and 20 fertile nonusers] to determine the motivation for participation in IVF, patients' reactions to treatment, and views of concerned laypersons on current ethical/social issues. Seventy-eight (84%) completed the questionnaires. A large majority was strongly positive toward the having of children and toward IVF, but fewer fertile than infertile women (P< 0.05) believed that “a child of one's own” was a right and that government insurance ought to cover IVF. Nearly all the patients (with or without successful pregnancies) were very satisfied with their clinical treatment and would recommend IVF. A large majority of all the women favored gamete donation and surrogate gestation, but fewer fertile than infertile women approved experiments with “spare” embryos or implanting donor embryos.

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Holmes, H.B., Tymstra, T. In vitro fertilization in the Netherlands: Experiences and opinions of Dutch women. J Assist Reprod Genet 4, 116–123 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01555451

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01555451

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