Wessex Fertility - Consultation Booklet

Embryo Transfer Policy

Why do we need an embryo transfer policy? The aim of fertility treatment at Wessex Fertility is a safe pregnancy and the delivery of a single healthy full-term baby. This is the best outcome for everyone. The chance of a multiple pregnancy happening naturally is about 1 in 80 pregnancies. However, with fertility treatment, around 1 in every 4 pregnancies results in a multiple birth. A multiple pregnancy is the single biggest risk for a woman or baby when having fertility treat- ment. We therefore try to reduce this risk by having an embryo transfer policy. What are the associated risks of a multiple pregnancy? For babies - The biggest risk is being born early. 44% of twin pregnancies result in a premature delivery. Premature babies often need neonatal intensive care for many weeks. Some of these babies do not survive and others have long term health prob- lems. Twin pregnancy risks include: • Neonatal death - 7 times higher in a twin pregnancy than a single pregnancy where the rate is 3 per 1000 births; • Cerebral palsy - 5 times higher in a twin pregnancy than a single pregnancy where the rate is 2.3 per 1000 births; • Still birth - 3 times higher in twin pregnancy than in a single pregnancy where the rate is 5 per 1000 births; • Other disabilities - twice as high in a twin pregnancy than a single pregnancy. For mothers - A twin pregnancy places a much greater strain on women. They have higher rates of complication than with a single pregnancy. Up to a third of multiple pregnancies will have a miscarriage. Hospital admissions during a multiple pregnancy are more likely than with a single pregnancy. A multiple pregnancy can also cause long term serious health complications for women. For families - In the early years the demands of looking after two or more babies are high. They are likely to be more prone to illness, need more check-ups or visits to the hospital/GP and may have learning difficulties and long-term health problems. The ad - ditional strain of the pregnancy and the delivery of more than one baby can affect the following: • Relationship problems – irritability, tiredness and time pressures when caring for more than one baby can result in tensions and anxieties. • Financial problems - costs can be considerable for more than one baby. How can these risks be reduced? The chances of a successful embryo implantation and pregnancy are linked to many fac- tors; not just to the number of embryos transferred. We assess each patient individually and offer you our best advice on how to achieve a good outcome.

WF01-INF-CLN-0028

Rev 10

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