Hey friends! So, every year, our team dives into the latest at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) conference, which is pretty much the go-to event for all things related to reproductive medicine. This year, they had over 1600 research abstracts submitted! Our very own Dr. Emily Hart and Dr. Jake Smith, along with Lab Director Sarah Johnson, picked out some key findings that might interest you.
Single Embryo Transfer Success Rates
In some countries, like Sweden, they’ve made single embryo transfers (SET) the standard to help cut down on those high rates of multiple births from IVF. A recent study looked at 1,664 IVF cycles before and after this change and found the pregnancy rates stayed pretty much the same—hovering around 33% across the board. But here’s the kicker: the rate of twins dropped significantly from 22.6% down to just 8.8%. So, if you’re looking to avoid multiples but still aiming for that baby bump, this policy seems to be working without sacrificing success!
The Impact of Obesity on Pregnancy
Switching gears, a big study from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center revealed that women with a high BMI face major challenges when it comes to getting pregnant. They found a whopping 60% drop in pregnancy rates for women classified as very obese compared to those with moderate to low BMI. The research looked at over 6,800 IVF cycles and while the number of retrieved eggs and embryos transferred didn’t vary much, the implantation rates and clinical pregnancy rates were notably lower for those with a BMI over 35. So, if you’re considering your weight in relation to fertility, this is something to think about.
Do You Need Progesterone Supplements?
Another interesting find from researchers at Carolinas Medical Center was about progesterone supplements. They studied two groups of IVF patients—one group continued their progesterone into the 12th week of pregnancy, while the other stopped after the pregnancy test. Turns out, both groups had similar rates of conception and delivery. The long progesterone group did see some early support for pregnancy viability, but it didn’t really help in overall survival through the first trimester. Looks like long-term progesterone support might not be as necessary as we thought.
FDA Regulations Coming Up
And lastly, here’s something that could affect you: starting in May 2004, the FDA is stepping up to oversee IVF lab procedures, which are currently managed at the state level. This means you might see more tests and requirements when you’re going through treatment. Keep an eye out for further updates from us on how these changes might impact your journey.
By the way, if you’re looking for some comfy maternity jeans, check out this post on the best options recommended by moms. And if you’re considering at-home insemination, Make A Mom’s Impregnator kit is a great resource. Plus, for more insights on IVF and fertility preservation, don’t miss this podcast from the Cleveland Clinic: IVF and Fertility Preservation.
In summary, the ASRM conference highlighted some critical findings on single embryo transfers, the effects of obesity on pregnancy rates, and the evolving role of progesterone in supporting pregnancies. Plus, be prepared for upcoming FDA regulations that may influence IVF lab procedures.