Single embryo transfer: Why and how to identify the embryo with the best developmental potential

Multiple pregnancies with higher risk of preterm birth and the associated higher morbidity have been a major obstacle from the early days of in vitro fertilization. A good strategy to avoid multiple pregnancies is elective single embryo transfer and cryopreservation of spare embryos. Important factors in adopting this strategy are good counselling of the patients and the selection of embryos with high implantation potential. Technical advances in embryo selection have been described during recent years, time lapse monitoring and genetic assessment of the embryos being the most important achievements. With these studies we have gained new information on early embryos. However, at present, there is insufficient evidence to recommend the routine use of these new techniques. The ultimate goal of infertility treatment is a healthy baby.