2008/02/21 - Single embryo IVF encouraged

Targeting a single embryo during IVF treatment could increase the pregnancy rate in women, new research suggests. A study published in the BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology focused on hundreds of IVF patients at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital in London.

Scientists were then able to select the embryos they thought had the best chance of a successful pregnancy.

Stairgates – remember safety first!

"It is a myth that single embryo transfer lowers the success rate of pregnancy," said Dr Yakoub Khalaf, who led the study.

"If the right patients are selected for blastocyst transfer, success rates can be maintained and multiple pregnancy can be significantly reduced."

The research is likely to be welcomed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority which has called for IVF clinics to act to reduce the number of multiple births as a result of IVF treatment.

Around 40 per cent of IVF babies are twins, but this increases their chances of dying prematurely.

More than 100 babies die every year following IVF treatment, causing heartbreak for parents.

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