Every year thousand of families are created with the assistance of in-vitro fertilization. Many of those newborns are twins. While some may see this as a double blessing, it is important to understand that there are many potential risks associated with multiple gestation. Statistics show that a higher percentage of twins are born prematurely. Premature birth can cause complications resulting in physical impairment, learning disabilities, and even death. In addition to the increased risk to the children born of multiple pregnancy, there is also an increased risk of complications associated with carrying multiples for the pregnant woman.
Pacific Fertility Center has been taking steps to minimize the risk of multiple gestation for several years. "We have worked actively to increase pregnancy rates and decrease the number of multiples," comments Carolyn Givens, M.D. "Balancing high pregnancy rates with low pregnancy risk improves pregnancy outcomes. Thus, achieving this balance and reducing the risk of multiple gestation is our goal."
Pacific Fertility Center recently completed the analysis of their Elective Single Embryo Transfer (eSET) program for 2009 and discovered that not only had the twin rate been lowered significantly, but they successfully eliminated triplets entirely. Of 79 patients undergoing embryo transfer procedures where they elect to transfer one embryo created from their own eggs, there were 38 pregnancies, two of which were identical twin pregnancies (the embryo split from one into two) and NO triplets. This compares to patients choosing to transfer two embryos: 159 patients, with embryos derived from their own eggs transferred two embryos resulting in 80 pregnancies, of which 31% were non-identical twins and there were two triplet pregnancies (again from one of the embryos splitting).
Patients that choose eSET have excellent pregnancy rates with a single embryo. With eSET, embryos are grown for 5 days to the blastocyst stage, which allows for selection of the healthiest embryos for transfer. This provides for the healthiest outcomes with the transfer of fewer embryos. eSET produces high pregnancy rates while minimizing the risk of multiple pregnancy. "For a lot of patients, there is no advantage to transferring more than one embryo. It is all about educating our patients about these numbers and the potential risks of twin pregnancies. Many will, when given this information, choose to transfer only one embryo," says Carolyn Givens, M.D..
At Pacific Fertility Center, careful consideration is taken with the number of embryos to transfer to each patient. With the aim of creating healthy singleton pregnancies, utilizing advanced embryo culture techniques, the highest quality embryos can be selected for transfer. Special environmental conditions, advanced culture media, and delicate handling of gametes and embryos are required; these efforts result in better embryos, with higher implantation and pregnancy rates.
In addition, Pacific Fertility Center has developed an outstanding and robust program for freezing embryos not transferred in the fresh cycle. Using a technology called vitrification, they have been able to achieve pregnancy rates with frozen embryos that are very similar to those using fresh embryos. "The outstanding success of our freezing program has allowed us to be confident in transferring just one embryo at a time, which all but eliminates the risk of triplet or higher pregnancy," says Dr. Joe Conaghan, Pacific Fertility Center Lab Director. He adds, "We have been so successful with embryo freezing over the last 3 years that our embryologists have been in high demand to provide training across the country and around the world. Our goal is to help our patients overcome infertility and build their family; one healthy baby at a time."
If you have any questions regarding high-order multiple pregnancy, treatments utilized at Pacific Fertility Center, and/or to schedule an interview with an infertility specialist, please contact Robb Mayberry at (888)834-3095 or by email at [email protected].
About Pacific Fertility Center
Pacific Fertility Center (PFC) is a fertility medical practice and egg donor agency located in San Francisco, California. PFC physicians are all board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. The physicians at PFC are members of the Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART); Society of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (SREI); and the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). They each have many years of successful clinical, academic, and scientific experience. The onsite innovative laboratory at PFC is operated by one the most experienced embryology teams in the nation. PFC is highly regarded for its ability to offer technologically advanced solutions to the most resistant fertility challenges, while conveying warmth and compassion to their patients. To learn more about PFC please contact Robb Mayberry at (888)834-3095 or by email at [email protected].
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