Factors affecting patients' attitudes toward single- and multiple-embryo transfer

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
• Patient Decision-Making

Background:

• Patient choices in embryo transfer impact IVF outcomes and risks.
• Understanding motivations behind embryo transfer preferences is crucial for informed consent.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors influencing patient decisions regarding embryo transfer.
• To assess the impact of risk information on embryo transfer preferences.

Main Methods:

• Prospective analysis of 79 women and 53 men undergoing IVF.
• Intervention involved providing risk information on twin pregnancy complications.
• Outcome measures included desirability of transfer options and twin pregnancy, depression, and stress.

Main Results:

• Initial preference for two-embryo transfer (2ET) linked to perceived higher pregnancy rates and likelihood of twins, not a desire for twins.
• Risk information provision increased elective single-embryo transfer desirability and decreased twin pregnancy desirability for both sexes.

Conclusions:

• Patient decision-making on embryo transfer is complex, balancing pregnancy maximization with twin risk acceptance.
• Motivations vary, with some patients influenced by beliefs about age, desire for, and likelihood of twins.
• Tailored information is essential to ensure informed consent due to diverse patient motivations and differential responses to risk data.