Fertility Society of Australia
Media Release, 3 September 2013
Study shows socio-economic divide between
IVF mothers and those who give birth naturally
A major population study in Australia has confirmed significantly different
socio-economic profiles and lifestyle factors between women who give birth
after assisted reproductive technology and other women.
The findings, reported at the annual scientific meeting of the Fertility Society
of Australia in Sydney, raise questions about equitable access to assisted
reproduction services.
Latest available data shows a steady increase in the number of couples
turning to assisted reproductive technology (ART) to have children. An
estimated 10,000 babies are born from IVF in Australia each year and there is
now an average of one IVF child in every classroom in this country.
The study of 397,583 women who gave birth in Australia over a three-year
period was conducted by the University of New South Wales in Sydney.
Professor Elizabeth Sullivan, head of the university’s National Perinatal
Epidemiology and Statistics Unit, said the findings provided vital insights
women giving birth after ART
Key outcomes included:
 on average ART mothers are older at 34 years than those who have
babies from natural conception (29.7 years);
 smoking is less prevalent among ART mothers (2.6 per cent) compared to
non-ART mothers (12.3 per cent);
 ART mothers generally have a lower body mass index;
 they are more likely to be of Australian origin rather than being born
overseas;
 ART mothers are less likely to be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
women:
 greater uptake of antenatal services (>5 visits) among ART mothers (98.1
per cent) compared to non ART mothers (92.0 per cent): and
 they have greater access to private health insurance (72.7 per cent
compared to 32.3 per cent).
Professor Sullivan said the study showed that 60 per cent of ART mothers in
the study group had never previously given birth compared to 40.5 per cent
among non-ART mothers.
…2/
-2They were also more socially privileged (27.8 per cent compared to 17.7 per
cent in non-ART mothers) based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics index
of social disadvantage.
“During the study period, more than 42.2 per cent of fertility clinics were
concentrated in the most socially privileged areas with 71.1 per cent of the
clinics in major cities compared with 26.7 per cent in regional centres and 2.2
per cent in remote areas,” Professor Sullivan said.
“This data is part of a larger study comparing general health and other issues
among ART and non-ART mothers in Australia with an on-going focus on
complications in pregnancy and birth outcomes.
“Further research is needed to determine how access to care and utilisation of
services contributes to successful ART outcomes.
“However, the preliminary findings suggest that the provision of ART services
is biased towards the socially advantaged.
“Demand for assisted reproduction is expected to increase and it will become
a growing priority to ensure equitable access to the technology.”
World leaders in assisted reproduction are attending the Fertility Society of
Australia meeting to report on latest research findings and treatments to help
the one in six couples experiencing infertility.
Infertility is defined as the failure to conceive after a year of unprotected
intercourse, or the inability to carry pregnancies to a live birth. The cause of
infertility are equally shared between men and women, and in some cases the
cause is unknown.
Nurturing From The Beginning is the theme of the meeting at the Sydney
Hilton.
Interview:
Professor Elizabeth Sullivan is available for interview on (02) 9382 1014 or
0439 994 820
Further Information:
Trevor Gill, FSA Media Relations, on 0418 821 948.
www.fsaconference.com