Hey friends! Let’s chat about the financial implications of having multiple births. It’s no secret that carrying multiples—like twins or triplets—can lead to various complications, such as preterm labor and low birth weight. This is precisely why we’re big advocates of elective single embryo transfer (eSET), which allows for the transfer of a single, screened embryo.
But have you ever considered the hospital costs that come with multiple births? A study conducted in the Netherlands examined 5,497 babies conceived via in vitro fertilization (IVF) between 2003 and 2005. Parents had either IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) at one of five clinics. The findings revealed that multiples had a significantly higher rate of hospitalizations, outpatient visits, and medical procedures compared to singletons. In fact, during the hospital stay for delivery, the average costs for multiples were about five times greater than for single babies. However, it’s interesting to note that by age 5, the hospital expenses between the two groups evened out.
This research underscores how eSET can potentially lower healthcare costs, especially during the initial hospital stay. It also supports our belief in promoting eSET, which helps reduce pregnancy risks while still achieving high success rates. Thanks to comprehensive chromosome screening (CCS), we can identify and transfer the best-quality embryos.
So, what does this mean for outcomes? Back in 2012, we saw that the pregnancy rate for eSET after CCS was an impressive 74% for women aged 40 and under, and 64% for those over 40. Clearly, eSET combined with CCS is a fantastic strategy to aim for one healthy baby at a time.
For more insights, check out our post on Biogenesis Fertility Lubricant—it’s a great read for anyone on their fertility journey. If you’re looking for expert advice on home insemination, Make A Mom provides excellent resources on this topic. And for more information about pregnancy, Healthline is an excellent go-to source.
In summary, while having multiples can lead to higher hospital costs initially, eSET offers a way to mitigate these expenses while still maintaining high pregnancy success rates.