IVF has dramatically improved
in many ways. Pharmaceutical agents are
more pure and numerous. Our
understanding of how to improve the number and quality of oocytes has been
revolutionized. Laboratory protocols
have also advanced, as well as ultrasound technology. Single Embryo Transfer (SET) is another new protocol, used to reduce the likelihood of twins or triplets. Although most parents are happy to be pregnant with multiples, medically speaking, a single baby is associated with much fewer complications: in utero, during birth, and developmentally as an infant.
The last decade has been focused
on reduction of high order multiple pregnancies such as triplets. This decade we are focusing on reduction of
twins. It is well established that the
best obstetrical outcome is with a singleton pregnancy. We are now able to offer some patients single
embryo blastocyst transfer. Typically
this will be an individual who is less than 35 years of age with high quality
blastocysts who will have additional
embryos to freeze in case pregnancy does not occur immediately. Those patients are expected to have a
clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transfer of at least 50%. Many of these patients are enrolled in our
money back IVF guarantee program which lets them continue treatment without
financial risk till live birth. These
program participants can do up to 3 fresh and 3 frozen cycles at no extra
program cost. The end point of this
program is live birth or a 70% refund of all fees. Twin rates with single embryo transfer are less
than 1% vs. 25% with a 2 embryo transfer.
We are delighted that single
embryo transfer is a reality! It has
taken decades of our work and your patience.
We expect this effort will continue for another decade as technology
continues to evolve.
