Our primary indicator of success is a healthy mother and baby. We believe that eSET (elective single embryo transfer) is the most effective way to achieve this goal.
It’s not uncommon for IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) to produce multiple embryos (fertilized eggs). Patients who choose eSET have only one of those embryos transferred to the womb. The embryo is transferred at either the cleavage stage (approximately two-three days after fertilization) or the blastocyst stage (about five-six days post-fertilization.)
Transferring more than one embryo increases the likelihood of a multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets, etc.). A multiple pregnancy is inherently more risky for both mother and babies, it can lead to premature delivery and the problems that frequently accompany early delivery including cerebral palsy, long-term lung and gastrointestinal problems and even neonatal death. Approximately 30% of IVF pregnancies in the United States result in twins, another 3 to 4% result in triplets or a higher order pregnancy.
AT UNC Fertility, we also use Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS). It’s a key component in determining which embryos are most likely to become healthy babies. The procedure enables us to test whether an embryo has the correct number of chromosomes before it is transferred back to a woman’s uterus. By avoiding transferring genetically abnormal embryos, we reduce the chance of miscarriage. Utilizing eSET and PGS enables us to offer our patients an excellent chance of having a healthy baby.