Obstetric Outcomes After Double Embryo Transfer

Assisted reproductive technology with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and IVF is becoming an international direction for couples struggling with infertility. The increasing popularity and frequency of these techniques and the data generated from it has given us a better overview of the efficacy, consequences and costs of these techniques.

The aim of assisted reproductive technology (ART) is to achieve pregnancy while decreasing the risk of multiple gestations. When compared with elective single embryo transfer (SET), double embryo transfer (DET) demonstrates a superior pregnancy and live birth rate with a significantly higher risk of multiple gestations. The high frequency of multiple births is the main factor which leads to adverse outcome in IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment. Transfer of two embryos does not diminish the chance of a birth when compared with three embryo transfer. How would be the obstetric outcome in pregnancies resulting from DET in IVF/ICSI cycles.

Despite achieving a higher pregnancy rates, DET in ART leads to an increase in multiple gestation pregnancies, which are associated with increased both maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Twin pregnancies have a higher incidence of preterm cesarean sections , admissions to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and other maternal complications, when compared with singleton pregnancies. Twin pregnancies have a higher incidence of preterm cesarean sections , admissions to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and other maternal complications, when compared with singleton pregnancies.

Most patients prefer to have two embryos transferred, due to financial considerations being the main reason.

Studies demonstrate that patients are more likely prefer to choose SET when educated about the risks of multiple gestation pregnancy, but select two embryos for transfer if they have a lower pregnancy rate when compared with transferring one embryo .

Cost effectiveness research comparing single versus DET after in vitro fertilization (IVF) has previously been performed, with most studies taking place in areas with mandated IVF insurance coverage, and few incorporating hospital costs linked to obstetrical and neonatal outcomes.

Inclusion criteria

• all patients subjected with ICSI pregnancy

Exclusion criteria

• incomplete data