Single Embryo Transfer

Single Embryo Transfer is an excellent option that achieves high pregnancy rates but avoids higher order multiples, such as triplets or quintuplets.

Our goal at the Houston Fertility Institute is to help couples conceive. In using medications to help with conception, we are stimulating the ovary to produce more eggs than would occur naturally. There is the ability to do ovulation induction, which is stimulating the ovary and having that produce eggs, which is then coupled with intercourse or intrauterine insemination. Using in vitro fertilization, what we then do is extract the eggs, have sperm, and then fertilize those eggs in a laboratory, and then are able to transfer back a select number of embryos to maximize the likelihood of pregnancy, but yet minimize the likelihood of higher order multiples. Higher order multiples are triplet pregnancies or higher, which are at higher risk for complications, not only for mom, but also for the babies. In a selected subgroup, single embryo transfer may be a very viable option, not only for acceptable and very high pregnancy rates, but also to minimize the risk of the higher order multiples.