The Impact of Assisted Reproduction Technologies on Timing and Quantum of Fertility

Anna Štastná , Charles University, Prague
Jirina Kocourková, Charles University
Boris Burcin, Charles University in Prague

The paper addresses the issue of the demographic consequences of the use of assisted reproduction technologies (ART). The importance of the demographic approach to ART is increasing in the context of reproductive ageing and sub-replacement fertility in developed countries. The aim is to evaluate the importance of the use of ART for recent fertility trends in Czechia (in terms of tempo and quantum). We employ unique datasets of all children born in Czechia between 2013 and 2018 from the National Register of Reproductive Health and the birth register. This dataset allows identifying mothers in Czechia who became pregnant and subsequently gave birth following the application of ART. Using the demographic methodology of fertility analysis, we identify the influence of ART usage on age-specific fertility rates, TFR and mean age of mothers at births. In addition, we will look in more detail at the differences between the two most commonly used ART methods - IVF and cryo-embryo transfer. The results revealed the contribution of the increasing use of ART to the ongoing childbearing postponement process.

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 Presented in Session P1. Postercafe