Discover why doctors typically recommend a single embryo transfer
At our Indianapolis fertility center, we recommend a single embryo transfer (SET) for most IVF patients. In the past, doctors would transfer two or more embryos into the uterus to increase the chance of conception. However, most doctors now recommend SET. Using this technique minimizes a patient’s chance of becoming pregnant with twins or triplets. This is important because a pregnancy with multiples can be risky for the babies and the person carrying the pregnancy.
A single embryo transfer helps patients avoid the risks of a pregnancy with multiples
Our Indianapolis fertility center knows many health issues can arise with a multiple pregnancy. A SET helps patients avoid these health risks.
- Miscarriage
- Premature delivery
- Low birth weight
- Gestational hypertension
- Anemia
- Need for a c-section
- Birth defects like neural tube defects, and gastrointestinal and heart abnormalities
- Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome
- Abnormal amounts of amniotic fluid
- Postpartum hemorrhage
Because of these risk factors, doctors should typically only transfer one embryo. This is especially true when preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) confirms an embryo is chromosomally normal.
A single embryo transfer has a better chance of resulting in a healthy pregnancy than it did when it was common to transfer multiple embryos. This increase in healthy pregnancies from a SET is a result of the fertility field’s enhanced knowledge and improvements in fertility care.
Learn if doctors are ever willing to transfer more than one embryo
Despite the health risks, some patients still prefer transferring more than one embryo. Every patient is different. As such, the doctors at our Indianapolis fertility center work with patients to make a customized plan for their unique needs. This plan includes selecting the ideal number of embryos to transfer. In certain situations, the doctor might determine that a patient or gestational surrogate is a good candidate for the transfer of two embryos.
The goal at our clinic is to help patients develop a healthy pregnancy and build a family. A single embryo transfer is often the best way to make this happen during an IVF cycle. Contact us for more information about our fertility services.
