[Reproductive techniques and concepts of psychosomatic medicine].

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the expectations of the patients regarding prenatal examination and assisted reproductive treatment.

Methods: The first sample included patients and their partners at the commencement of assisted reproductive treatment. The couples were asked to predict the success of in vitro fertilization on a scale ranging from 0 to 100%. The second sample included pregnant women and their partners prior to prenatal examination (level III). These couples were asked what expectations they had regarding the prenatal examination.

Results: On average, 57% of the women and 61% of their partners expected a successful pregnancy in the course of the ongoing reproductive treatment. The expectations at the prenatal examination indicated that both the women and their partners wished, in the first instance, a reassuring outcome and a positive diagnosis of pregnancy. Lower down the scale in third and fourth position were safety and assurance.

Discussion: The patients focused their expectations mainly on the technical possibilities of the reproductive techniques. It is therefore necessary in psychosomatic medicine to introduce personal concepts for discussion in order to avoid being subordinated to prevalent facts.