With the rise in the use of in-vitro fertilization and other fertility treatments comes a rise in the occurrence of multiple births. Fertility experts are alarmed by the rising number of multiple births and as a result are calling on fertility clinics to reduce the number of embryos implanted in a woman during the in-vitro fertilization process.

Results from the most recent studies and evidence from successful fertility treatments indicate that high pregnancy rates are achieved even if fewer embryos are implanted. Both patients and fertility clinics, however, are opting to implant larger numbers of embryos during a cycle in hopes of increasing the odds of successfully achieving pregnancy. These trends put both mother and baby at great risk during pregnancy, delivery, and beyond.

Pregnancies involving multiples, 2 or more fetuses, are at a greater risk of complications. These complications include premature delivery, complications during pregnancy that would force a mother onto bedrest or result in miscarriage, and birth defects and other health problems to one or more of the fetuses, to mention a few. Careful consideration should be given to all the potential complications when a couple and the fertility clinic are deciding on the number of embryos to implant in a given cycle.

There are no enforceable rules regarding the number of embryos that should be implanted during a given cycle, however, fertility experts have made some recommendations that they hope clinics and parents will adhere to. The recommendations are as follows:

  • For women under 35 years old, no more than two embryos should be implanted during a single cycle, and transfer of only one embryo should be considered.
  • For women between the ages of 35-37, no more than two late stage embryos or 3 early stage embryos should be implanted.
  • For women age 38-40, no more than 4 early stage embryos should be implanted.
  • And finally, for women over 40, up to 5 embryos can be considered, but individual circumstances need to be taken into account.

These recommendations are in place to help reduce the occurrence of multiple pregnancies. More than a third of all pregnancies conceived using infertility treatments like in-vitro fertilization result in multiple births. Fertility specialists have found that increasing the number of embryos does not necessarily impact the chances of achieving pregnancy. Pregnancy can just as easily be achieved with the implantation of fewer embryos. If the chances of successful pregnancy are not dramatically increased by implanting a larger number of embryos than why risk the added complications of multiple birth.

Each situation is of course different, and your doctor and the fertility clinic you are working with should be making decisions that are right for you and your circumstances. Talk with your doctor about your wishes and their recommendations, and be sure to educate yourself about the benefits and risks of implanting multiple embryos before making a decision.

(source: MSNBC)

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