When looking across all age groups, the odds of having a multiple gestation pregnancy through IVF is roughly 30%, with the vast majority being twin pregnancies. The likelihood of multiples is primarily determined by two key factors: the number of embryos transferred and the patient’s age. The Role of Embryo Transfer in Multiples In years past, reproductive endocrinologists would choose to transfer multiple embryos during an IVF cycle to increase the likelihood that one of them would implant, therefore increasing IVF success rates. Today, this practice is deemed unsafe as it significantly increases the chance of having twins or triplets, which carrier

According to the latest publication by the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), RMANJ once again is leading the way in the number of IVF cycles resulting in live births. Compared to U.S. averages, RMANJ’s success rates are consistently higher than the national average.  More specifically, *72.4% of new patients under the age of 35 that were seen in 2014 were able to conceive a child successfully. While these numbers are remarkable, there are other statistics that should be pointed out in order to understand the significance of this trend held by RMANJ for more than a decade.  First, these exceptional

Single Embryo Transfer and Preimplantation Genetic Testing There are several steps required for in vitro fertilization (IVF): Ovulation induction, egg retrieval, insemination and fertilization, and embryo transfer. In this blog we will take a detailed look at the embryo transfer stage. At this stage of the process a woman’s eggs have already been retrieved, inseminated, and grown to the blastocyst stage of development. Preimplantation Genetic Testing Before the embryo(s) are transferred to a woman’s uterus, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) may be performed to ensure that embryos of the highest quality are being transferred. PGT is comprised of two distinct parts: Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) and Preimplantation

The world’s first birth after in vitro fertilization (IVF) turned 38 years old this past Monday– Louise Brown was born at Oldham General Hospital in England on July, 25 1978. Making it a family affair, her sister Natalie Brown was born four years later and was the world’s fortieth IVF baby. These “medical miracles” were made possible by scientific breakthroughs which would result in a Nobel Prize and over 5 million babies world-wide. The early years of IVF presented to great challenges. Success rates were exceedingly low which caused doctors and patients to try and “beat the odds” by placing back

Even though babies have been born through the process of in vitro fertilization (IVF) for over 35 years there has still been very limited information available to parents about the risk of developmental problems for children conceived through assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Obtaining these data has been a challenge for a number of reasons, the most significant being difficulty in getting long-term information about the children. Another major problem has been agreeing on the proper comparison group. For example, some studies have shown an increase in obstetrical complications when women who conceived through IVF are compared to women who had no difficulty

Over the past 2 years or so, I have managed my patients through roughly 400 IVF cycles, and 2 liters of intravenous (IV) normal saline is the grand sum total of the treatment required for that much-feared complication of IVF: ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). 2 liters: That’s the size of one of those Coke bottles you buy at the supermarket for a party. Just 5 years ago it was a much different story. IVF patients with OHSS frequently received multiple infusions of intravenous fluids, they were given a variety of other medications to try to stave off OHSS, and not infrequently

I often get asked about the risks of fertility treatments such as IVF. In fact, I am obligated to discuss them before my patients start IVF treatment. Common Questions About Fertility Treatments Does ICSI cause birth defects? Does ovarian stimulation cause breast cancer? Does embryo biopsy hurt the embryo? Will these injections make me crazy? Will I gain weight? These are all very important questions that I spend a significant amount of time discussing every day. But while it’s very reasonable to carefully consider the risks of any potential treatment, at least as much consideration should be given to the benefits. For example, while

“Where you stand depends on where you sit.”  These words could not be truer for couples undergoing IVF treatments.  Some of these couples will have the opportunity to transfer one embryo (single embryo transfer, or SET) or two in what becomes one of the most important decisions of their entire treatment.  For many, there will be a significant temptation to have two embryos implanted.  This based on a desire to maximize the chances of at least one child, or to “get two pregnancies over with” at once.  However, there is one person who will be the most interested in a

The last 30 years have seen a dramatic increase in the incidence of twin and triplet pregnancies in the United States. Fertility doctors have been largely responsible. 1 in every 30 infants born in 2009 was a twin; double that of 30 years ago. The serious risks of triplet pregnancies are generally well understood. Most people, however, believe that twins do great. Surprisingly, 25% of twins require neonatal intensive care hospitalization, and the risk of cerebral palsy and even death are higher for twins compared to a single baby. RMA is committed to decreasing the likelihood of twin pregnancies. A simple strategy is

There’s been a lot of press the past few weeks about single embryo transfer. Single embryo transfer is not anything new. Europeans have been advocating single embryo transfer for almost a decade. In The USA, around 10% of IVF cycles utilize single embryo transfer. Single Embryo Transfer Vs. Double Embryo Transfer My OB colleagues who deliver babies would agree that the biggest complication that arises after infertility treatment is a result of twin pregnancy. Twins have become so commonplace that we no longer turn our heads when seeing a stroller with twins in the grocery store or the shopping mall. It is true