How many eggs do they implant with IVF?
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is one of the most common assisted reproductive technologies chosen by women who want to get pregnant following at least a year of trying to conceive. Following ovulation, a woman's eggs are retrieved through a minimally invasive procedure and then placed in a laboratory dish to be fertilized. When it is time to transfer the embryo to the uterus, the doctor inserts a catheter-like device into the uterus through which the embryo is then gently transported into the uterus. Two weeks after the IVF procedure, the patient is given a pregnancy test.
How Many Eggs are Implanted Using IVF?
Although transferring embryos from lab dishes to the uterus is a fairly straightforward process, deciding how many embryos you want to transfer is a bit more complicated. The goal of determining the right amount of embryos to be transferred is to increase the chance of pregnancy without increasing the risk of multiple pregnancies.
An embryologist will give you a professional assessment of the embryos on the day the transfer is scheduled and recommend the number of embryos for transferral. Recommendations take into account the general quality of the embryos and age of the embryos. Some embryos are transferred on day three while others are transferred between day five and seven (blastocyst stage embryos). In some cases, the woman's age and previous history with assisted reproductive technologies are also taken into consideration. However, the decision to transfer one or multiple embryos is ultimately left up to the patient.
Who are Good Candidates for a Single Embryo Transfer (eSET)?
Women with excellent quality blastocysts who are younger than 35, have never undergone an IVF procedure or have undergone a successful IVF procedure in the past are good candidates for a single embryo transfer. In addition, while choosing eSET does not reduce the chance for women to get pregnant, it does significantly reduce the chance of multiple pregnancies. However, it is always possible for a single embryo transfer to result in a twin pregnancy since one embryo can divide spontaneously once transferred to the uterus.
What Happens After Eggs are Implanted?
Your fertility doctor may prescribe hormones or other medications to support uterine lining health and the pregnancy in general. Always take prescriptions as directed by your doctor. A 24-hour "couch rest" is also recommended following the embryo transfer, with an additional three days of just taking it easy. Strenuous exercise, intercourse, and some demanding household chores should be put off until after completion of the implantation process.
Call New York Reproductive Wellness today to learn more about IVF, intrauterine insemination (IUI) and other assisted reproductive technologies we offer to help women get pregnant.
