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December 2, 2008 10:47:09 AM CST

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And Baby Makes ... Too Many?

Posted Feb 19, 08 12:01 PM CST in Science & Health 

(Newser) – Fertility doctors are beginning to wonder whether they're too successful. With in vitro fertilization prompting a 70% increase in the rate of multiple births since 1980, some are espousing a switch to single-embryo transfer. The procedure lowers the success rate but also lowers the rate of multiple births, with their attendant health risks, the New York Times reports.

“Now is the time for all of us to rethink what is the paradigm of a successful IVF pregnancy,” said a Boston fertility doc. “Is it a pregnancy without regard to the number of gestations or a pregnancy with a singleton live birth?” Reducing the number of embryos transferred has already cut the rate of triplets being born, but the twin birth rate remains high.

Source New York Times

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An IVF Lab Director, checks a canister of frozen embryos in an IVF Embryology Lab as a doctor looks on.   (KRT Photos)
The growth in the rate of multiple births is a side product of the success of IVF treatment. Doctors want to cut the rate of multiple births, even if it means IVF treatments will be somewhat less successful.   (KRT Photos)
Parents of multiple identical siblings hold a gathering in Washington. The rate of twins being born has leaped 70% since 1980, largely due to successul IVF treatments.   (Getty Images)
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pregnancy • twins • babies • fertility • in vitro fertilization • embryo • fertility treatment


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