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Controlling the high order multiple birth rate: the European perspective
1Medical Director, Bourn Hall Clinic, Cambridge, UK. brinsdenp@aol.com
Reproductive Biomedicine Online
|May 9, 2003
Summary
High order multiple pregnancies, often resulting from fertility treatments, pose significant risks. Limiting embryo transfers in assisted reproduction is key to reducing these risks and improving outcomes for mothers and babies.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Perinatology
Background:
- The incidence of high-order multiple pregnancies has risen significantly since the mid-1970s.
- Key contributing factors include increasing maternal age, ovulation induction agents, and advanced assisted reproduction techniques.
- High-order multiples face substantially elevated risks of complications for fetuses, neonates, and mothers compared to singleton pregnancies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the experience of European countries in reducing embryo transfers.
- To recommend a responsible approach to embryo transfer in assisted reproduction.
Main Methods:
- Review of European country practices regarding embryo transfer restrictions.
- Analysis of the impact of reduced embryo transfers on pregnancy success rates.
Main Results:
- Many European nations have successfully restricted embryo transfers to two or fewer.
- These restrictions have been implemented without a significant decrease in couples' chances of achieving pregnancy.
- This approach effectively limits high-order multiple pregnancies.
Conclusions:
- High-order multiple pregnancies are avoidable and should be prevented.
- Reducing the number of embryos transferred during in vitro fertilization (IVF) is a crucial strategy.
- Practitioners of assisted reproduction should adopt responsible embryo transfer practices.