Abstract overview:
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a complex reproductive procedure that can trigger significant emotional fluctuations in women. Emotions such as anxiety, fear, depression, and hope are commonly experienced at different stages of treatment, impacting psychological well-being and influencing overall treatment outcomes.

Aims and objectives:
This study aimed to investigate the emotional fluctuations among Greek women undergoing IVF and to examine the relationships between their emotional responses, the outcome of the pregnancy test, and the number of IVF attempts.

Method:
An online questionnaire was administered to 251 women who had previously undergone or were currently undergoing IVF. The survey gathered detailed information about their IVF experiences, including the emotional states reported during various stages of the treatment process—before, during, and after procedures such as ovarian stimulation, embryo transfer, and the waiting period for pregnancy test results. Correlation analyses were conducted to assess the association between emotional fluctuations, pregnancy outcomes, and the number of IVF attempts.

Results:
Women’s mean age was 38.8±5.8 years. They reported predominantly negative emotions (anxiety, fear, anguish) during ovarian stimulation and while awaiting pregnancy test outcomes. The day of result announcement emerged as the most emotionally charged stage. A strong positive correlation (r = 0.691) was observed between positive pregnancy outcomes and post-test positive emotions (joy, hope), while the number of IVF attempts showed a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.571) with the intensity of negative emotions.

Conclusion:
IVF profoundly affects women’s emotional states regardless of age, with treatment outcomes and repeated attempts further intensifying these responses. These findings underscore the necessity for comprehensive psychological support from family, social networks, and healthcare professionals. Midwives play a key role in reproductive care. Enhancing midwifery education to include specialized training in IVF-related counselling and emotional management can further empower midwives to provide targeted, compassionate care, ultimately improving the overall IVF experience for women.