Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
One of the most common questions is "How many embryos should be transferred back to the
uterus at the time of in vitro fertilization?" Once the eggs are retrieved from the ovaries,
the eggs are fertilized, and a few days later there are hopefully a significant number of
embryos that are potentially capable of being transferred back into the uterus. This is
important for every couple to discuss with their physician. What are the chances of pregnancy,
and what are the chances of multiple pregnancy, and to balance those chances.
In general, the more embryos transferred back into the uterus, the greater the chance that
pregnancy will occur. However, there's also a very high rate of multiple pregnancy with
the transfer of multiple embryos. In general, the younger the woman is, the less the number
of embryos that should be transferred. In recent years, there's been a significant attempt
to try to do more elective transfers of single embryos as opposed to multiple embryos. The
chances of pregnancy using single embryos is good if the woman is young, typically under
35, has high-quality embryos, or has embryos available for freezing or cryopreservation.
With better culture media today, better in vitro techniques, and the capability of freezing
embryos effectively, the option of doing single embryo transfers or double embryo transfers
are, in fact, viable options. Be sure to speak with your physician about the number of embryos
to transfer. In that discussion, you should also determine what your feelings are about
multiple pregnancy, and also what your feelings are about reducing the pregnancy. In cases
of which more than two embryos implant in the uterus, many fertility physicians and
high-risk pregnancy physicians recommend the reduction of the pregnancy to either a single
or twin pregnancy. That reduction is not always emotionally easy for a couple to do. So, the
couple should never placed in that position unnecessarily. Therefore, discussion prior
to embryo transfer is imperative.