Implanting two embryos during IVF can REDUCE a woman’s chances of getting pregnant by nearly a third
If one embryo is of low quality the womb will reject both, say experts
IMPLANTING two embryos during IVF can reduce a woman’s chances of getting pregnant, experts claim.
If one of the embryos is of poor quality it causes the womb to reject both, they say.
Twin implants are used in cases where women have some poorer embryos, usually in older patients.
But a study found that, compared with transferring a single good embryo, adding another resulted in a 27 per cent lower chance of pregnancy if one is of lower quality.
It is being presented today at the British Fertility Society annual conference in Edinburgh.
It’s like Andy Murray playing doubles with an amateur. He has a better chance of winning alone
The study looked at 1,500 IVF transfers at the Nurture Fertility clinic in Nottingham.
The clinic’s medical director Nick Raine-Fenning said the study highlighted “the importance of quality over quantity”.
He added: “Most patients understandably expect adding a second embryo will increase or even double their chances but this has never been the case.
“Our research suggests that if you put a poorer quality embryo with a good one, it’s more likely to compromise your chances.
“It’s like Andy Murray playing doubles with an amateur. He has a better chance of winning going it alone.”
IVF success rates are around 70 per cent in women under 35.
Watchdog the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority urges women to opt for single embryo transfer.
Having two also raises the chances of twins, which are more likely to be born premature.
The findings come as NHS IVF provision is the lowest since 2004.
Women under 40 are entitled to three full IVF cycles.
But only two per cent of cash-strapped local NHS providers offer this amount, charity Fertility Fairness claims.