Colpin et al. (1999), Gibson et al. (2000b) and Glazebrook et al.
(2001) found no differences between ART and SC groups in
mean parenting stress index (PSI) scores (Abidin, 1995). Repokari
et al. (2006) reported fewer adjustment problems among ART than
SC mothers 2 and 12 months post-partum and that ‘unpleasant
birth experiences’, low birthweight and difficulties soothing the
baby increased parenting stress in the SC but not the ART
group. Greenfeld and Klock (2001) reported decreased parenting
stress from 2 to 9 months post-partum among ART, but not
SC primiparae. This is perplexing as almost a third of the ART
mothers were caring for twins or triplets, which is usually more
difficult (Fisher and Stocky, 2003).