[In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. 1. The first 100 pregnancies]

The results of treatment of infertility by in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, are reviewed for 143 patients in whom treatment was completed during the period 1.9.1985-21.2.1988 and for 100 pregnancies during the period 1.9.1985-15.11.1988. Among the 143 patients in whom treatment was completed, 48 became pregnant on one or more occasions as pregnancy occurred in 53 cycles. A total of 44 women delivered 55 infants. There were 35 singleton deliveries, seven twin deliveries and two triplet deliveries. One woman became biochemically pregnant, four aborted before the 12th week of pregnancy an one woman aborted on two occasions in the second trimester. Three women were treated operatively for extrauterine pregnancies. A total of 33.6% of the patients became pregnant, the baby-take-home rate per patient was 30.8%, the pregnancy rate per ET was 23.5% and the delivery rate per transplantation was 19.6%. Non-completed pregnancies per pregnant woman were 20.8%. Only preliminary account of the 100 pregnancies can be given as treatment has not been completed in all of these patients. Among the 100 pregnancies, there were 59 singleton pregnancies, ten twin pregnancies and three triplet pregnancies and 29 pregnancies which were not completed. The age distribution of the pregnant and non-pregnant women (23% over 34 years became pregnant and 53% under 29 years became pregnant) emphasizes the importance of commencing treatment as early as possible.