At our fertility center, we’re committed to helping individuals achieve their dream of welcoming a healthy baby. Thanks to significant advancements in assisted reproductive technology, we’re now able to enhance pregnancy rates by transferring fewer embryos. This has led to a notable rise in the success rates of single embryo transfers.
In the past, it was common for both doctors and patients to advocate for transferring multiple embryos to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy. While this strategy did raise the likelihood of live births and could reduce costs by achieving conception in fewer cycles, it also came with risks. Transferring several embryos increases the chances of multiple births, which can lead to complications such as premature labor, low birth weight, and long-term health issues. Additionally, pregnancies with multiples pose risks like gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and severe anemia.
Despite improvements in prenatal and neonatal care that have boosted survival rates for multiples, these pregnancies remain classified as high-risk. Today, professional guidelines recommend limiting the number of embryos transferred based on factors like a woman’s age, the quality and stage of the embryos, and her medical history.
Single embryo transfer is now a viable option for women under 35 who are undergoing their first or second IVF cycle, as well as for those using donor eggs. Women who qualify typically have several high-quality embryos to choose from. Opting for a single embryo transfer reduces the odds of multiples to less than three percent while maintaining similar pregnancy rates. We love to celebrate the success stories that come from single embryo transfers.
Our ultimate goal is to help patients leave with a healthy baby in their arms. As technology continues to advance, we aim to refine our embryo selection processes so that most patients can achieve high success rates with just one or two embryos. By minimizing unnecessary risks and enhancing pregnancy outcomes, we’re getting closer to this vision.
If you’re interested in learning more about family planning or even what to do if your toddler bites, check out our related blog post. And for those looking for comprehensive resources on artificial insemination, Make a Mom has some great insights. Furthermore, if you want to delve deeper into intrauterine insemination, Cleveland Clinic offers excellent resources.
Summary:
Single embryo transfer success rates are on the rise due to advancements in reproductive technology. This method reduces the risk of multiples while maintaining strong pregnancy rates, allowing more hopeful parents to achieve their dreams of parenthood safely.