Ovation Partner Physicians Outline Benefits of Single Embryo Transfer
In the past, multiple births were often associated with IVF because the assisted reproductive technology usually involved transferring more than one embryo during the procedure. Today, many fertility specialists, including Ovation partner physicians, are finding that patients benefit from an elective single embryo transfer, eSET, in which only one healthy embryo is selected and transferred, while any remaining healthy embryos are frozen for later use.
Elective Single Embryo Transfer Helps Avoid Multiple Births, Associated Risks
Multiples pregnancies create increased risks for both mother and fetus. They can include:
- Premature birth and low birth weight
- Increased risk for pregnancy complications
Who Is a Good Candidate for Elective Single Embryo Transfer?
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology offer the following guidelines when choosing elective single embryo transfer:
- Women younger than 35 with a good prognosis
- Women undergoing their first assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycle
- Women who previously experienced a successful pregnancy from an ART cycle
- Women who have other high-quality embryos available to be frozen for later use
How Successful Is eSET?
Ovation and its partner physicians strive to do everything possible to ensure that patients have a successful procedure.
For a patient with a good prognosis, elective single embryo transfer has the same success rate as a transfer with multiple embryos.
In addition, when one embryo is transferred, only 1% to 2% of ART pregnancies result in multiple births, decreasing the risk to mother and fetus. Women who choose an elective single embryo transfer can also freeze remaining high-quality embryos for use in a later cycle.
Ovation partner physicians will provide thoughtful counseling, data and explanations of the procedure to patients considering an elective single embryo transfer. We can also discuss our success rates to help couples and singles arrive at their decision.
We know that an IVF cycle can be a difficult journey. Ovation lab teams and partner physician clinics pledge to provide support every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more.