At Fertility Associates we are thinking about becoming the first IVF unit in the world to only replace 1 embryo at a time no matter how old the patient nor how much treatment they have had previously. We perform over 3000 embryo transfers a year across our four clinics and about 20% of these cycles involve a double embryo transfer. Whilst twin rates have fallen from over 20% a few years ago to now about 8% of all of our pregnancies, we would like to see that rate fall further.
This is an ideal time to make this recommendation as freezing of embryos has become a very robust process, which means that one embryo at a time gives the same overall chance of a baby as having two embryos at once.
Twin pregnancies have a higher rate of stillbirth, cerebral palsy and any degree of handicap in the babies. Twin pregnancies are also associated with increased maternal complications as well as relationship break ups.
Even when two embryos are replaced and a singleton pregnancy results, the outcome from that pregnancy is not as good as when a singleton embryo transfer occurs.
I would like all of our patients to think about the risks to themselves and their children and to choose to replace 1 embryo at a time.
Information on Twin or Multiple pregnancies and the risks associated with it, can be found on our website in the Avoiding Twins PDF under Fertility Facts. http://www.fertilityassociates.co.nz/Resources/Fertility-Facts.aspx
Embryo Transfer based on the quantity, quality and growth of cultured embryos, the embryologist selects the best embryo and an appropriate day for transfer into the uterus of the female partner. After the embryo transfer, fertility specialists may prescribe medicines to enhance the chances of embryo implantation.
ReplyDeleteMost doctors advise against multiple embryo transfer. If the patient insists then it is at their own risk. It is important for doctors to help them understand all the risks to themselves and their babies before the procedure.