What are some new advances in the field of infertility treatment?
Within the last several years, a few infertility centers have started to culture embryos in the laboratory for five days until they reach the blastocyst stage of development before transferring the embryo to the uterus. An embryo at this stage is much more likely to implant (attach) to the uterus and result in conception. Although his technique is more demanding of the embryology laboratory, it is helpful in the selection of quality embryos resulting in a higher conception rate. A secondary benefit is that fewer embryos can be transferred, helping to reduce the incidence of multiples. Here at the Rocky Mountain Center for Reproductive Medicine, we began doing blastocyst transfers in April of 1998 with very good success. It has been vital in achieving our goal of a maximum pregnancy rate with a minimal risk of multiple pregnancies.
