Keyword: Infertility
2 results found.
Review Article
Australian Journal of Biomedical Research, 2(2), 2026, aubm017, https://doi.org/10.63946/aubiomed/18175
ABSTRACT:
Abstract
Background: Postpartum depression (PPD is a prevalent and disabling condition with significant consequences for maternal and infant well-being. Women who conceive through assisted reproductive technologies (ART) may experience distinct psychological vulnerabilities in the postpartum period due to prolonged infertility, treatment-related stress, and prior pregnancy loss. Digital health interventions (DHIs) have emerged as promising tools for addressing perinatal mental health needs; however, their relevance and effectiveness for women following assisted reproduction remain insufficiently synthesized.
Objective: This narrative review aims to critically examine the current evidence on digital health interventions for postpartum depression in the context of assisted reproduction, with a focus on conceptual relevance, methodological strengths and limitations, and implications for clinical practice and future research.
Methods: A structured narrative synthesis was conducted using transparent search procedures across major bibliographic databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science. Peer-reviewed empirical studies, reviews, and key conceptual papers addressing digital mental health interventions for postpartum depression were included, with particular attention to the representation and reporting of ART-conceived populations.
Results: Existing digital interventions—such as mobile health applications, web-based psychotherapy, telepsychology, and emerging AI-supported tools—demonstrate feasibility and acceptability in general postpartum populations. However, ART-specific evidence remains limited, with most studies embedding women who conceive through assisted reproduction within broader perinatal samples and rarely tailoring intervention content to infertility-related psychological experiences. Methodological heterogeneity, small sample sizes, short follow-up periods, and limited subgroup analyses constrain the strength of population-specific conclusions.
Conclusions: Digital health interventions hold considerable promise for addressing postpartum depression following assisted reproduction, but current evidence is largely indirect. Conceptually, DHIs align well with the psychological needs of ART populations; empirically, however, rigorous validation is lacking. Future research should prioritize ART-specific trials, longitudinal designs, participatory co-design approaches, and integration with clinical care pathways to develop effective, personalized, and equitable digital mental health solutions for this high-risk population.
Background: Postpartum depression (PPD is a prevalent and disabling condition with significant consequences for maternal and infant well-being. Women who conceive through assisted reproductive technologies (ART) may experience distinct psychological vulnerabilities in the postpartum period due to prolonged infertility, treatment-related stress, and prior pregnancy loss. Digital health interventions (DHIs) have emerged as promising tools for addressing perinatal mental health needs; however, their relevance and effectiveness for women following assisted reproduction remain insufficiently synthesized.
Objective: This narrative review aims to critically examine the current evidence on digital health interventions for postpartum depression in the context of assisted reproduction, with a focus on conceptual relevance, methodological strengths and limitations, and implications for clinical practice and future research.
Methods: A structured narrative synthesis was conducted using transparent search procedures across major bibliographic databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science. Peer-reviewed empirical studies, reviews, and key conceptual papers addressing digital mental health interventions for postpartum depression were included, with particular attention to the representation and reporting of ART-conceived populations.
Results: Existing digital interventions—such as mobile health applications, web-based psychotherapy, telepsychology, and emerging AI-supported tools—demonstrate feasibility and acceptability in general postpartum populations. However, ART-specific evidence remains limited, with most studies embedding women who conceive through assisted reproduction within broader perinatal samples and rarely tailoring intervention content to infertility-related psychological experiences. Methodological heterogeneity, small sample sizes, short follow-up periods, and limited subgroup analyses constrain the strength of population-specific conclusions.
Conclusions: Digital health interventions hold considerable promise for addressing postpartum depression following assisted reproduction, but current evidence is largely indirect. Conceptually, DHIs align well with the psychological needs of ART populations; empirically, however, rigorous validation is lacking. Future research should prioritize ART-specific trials, longitudinal designs, participatory co-design approaches, and integration with clinical care pathways to develop effective, personalized, and equitable digital mental health solutions for this high-risk population.
Original Article
Australian Journal of Biomedical Research, 2(1), 2026, aubm014, https://doi.org/10.63946/aubiomed/17981
ABSTRACT:
Background: Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and oocyte retrieval are key stages in the in vitro fertilization process. If developing follicles are difficult to access or visualize using the preferred imaging method (transvaginal ultrasound scan), careful monitoring with transabdominal ultrasound and oocyte retrieval may be required to avoid cycle cancellation and enhance in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment success.
This study aimed to assess the feasibility, pregnancy outcomes and presence of risk factors among a cohort of women who had transabdominal oocyte retrieval during their IVF treatment process
Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study carried out at Kingswill Specialist Hospital, Lagos Nigeria from January 2020 to December 2023. Medical records of women who had transabdominal oocyte retrieval (TAOR) were retrieved and variables such as socio-demographic variables, indications and pregnancy outcomes were analysed.
Results: Fifty-seven women had TAOR during the study period. The mean age of the women was 36.2 ± 4.28 SD years. Their mean weight was 86.0kg ± 14.79 SD. Twenty-six (45.6%) had pelvic masses, 50.9% had previous pelvic surgeries.
There were 21 (36.8%) conceptions, 38 (66%) live births and 5.2% miscarriages.
Conclusion: Couples’ desire to conceive continues to pose a significant challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, where wealth and strength are sometimes equated to family size, often accompanied by substantial social, psychological, and economic consequences for affected individuals. When IVF treatment cycles are cancelled due to inaccessible oocytes, these burdens are further intensified, sometimes with severe psychological and financial repercussions. To improve outcomes and enhance patient satisfaction and safety, it is essential to prioritize careful patient selection, thorough evaluation of key clinical factors, and the customization of care. In this context, transabdominal oocyte retrieval has been observed to be a potentially safe and necessary intervention. However, the small sample size of 57 patients limits the ability to draw definitive conclusions about its safety and efficacy, and the absence of a control group restricts the ability to compare outcomes relative to transvaginal oocyte retrieval (TVOR) patients.
This study aimed to assess the feasibility, pregnancy outcomes and presence of risk factors among a cohort of women who had transabdominal oocyte retrieval during their IVF treatment process
Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study carried out at Kingswill Specialist Hospital, Lagos Nigeria from January 2020 to December 2023. Medical records of women who had transabdominal oocyte retrieval (TAOR) were retrieved and variables such as socio-demographic variables, indications and pregnancy outcomes were analysed.
Results: Fifty-seven women had TAOR during the study period. The mean age of the women was 36.2 ± 4.28 SD years. Their mean weight was 86.0kg ± 14.79 SD. Twenty-six (45.6%) had pelvic masses, 50.9% had previous pelvic surgeries.
There were 21 (36.8%) conceptions, 38 (66%) live births and 5.2% miscarriages.
Conclusion: Couples’ desire to conceive continues to pose a significant challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, where wealth and strength are sometimes equated to family size, often accompanied by substantial social, psychological, and economic consequences for affected individuals. When IVF treatment cycles are cancelled due to inaccessible oocytes, these burdens are further intensified, sometimes with severe psychological and financial repercussions. To improve outcomes and enhance patient satisfaction and safety, it is essential to prioritize careful patient selection, thorough evaluation of key clinical factors, and the customization of care. In this context, transabdominal oocyte retrieval has been observed to be a potentially safe and necessary intervention. However, the small sample size of 57 patients limits the ability to draw definitive conclusions about its safety and efficacy, and the absence of a control group restricts the ability to compare outcomes relative to transvaginal oocyte retrieval (TVOR) patients.