QuestionHi Dr Ramirez, I am 42 y/o, fsh 7. I just had 5 embryos (3 8-c, 1 6-c, 1 5-c) transferred on day 3.
Most of the embryos were high quality. Does transferring more embryos give you a higher rate of
pregnancy? Or does it matter at all? Is this number of embryos transferred appropriate for my age?
Thank you, Lisa from Anaheim.
AnswerHello Lisa from Anaheim,
Anaheim is one of my favorite places since I lived there for a while AND worked at Disneyland for three years while at UCI.
I'm going to go backwards in answering your questions: Transferring 5 D#3 embryos is an appropriate number at your age. In fact, SART, the agency that most IVF clinics belong to, do not have a maximum number of embryos recommendation after the age of 37. I will sometimes transfer up to 7 embryos to try to maximize the chance for pregnancy.
The big hurdle that you are going up against is the "age factor." This is a situation whereby most of the eggs left in your ovaries will be debilitated, and therefore, lead to bad embryos. We know from genetic testing that at age 37, only 20% of embryos will be normal. It worsens after that. The embryos may look good from the outside, but they may not be on the inside. There tends to be an increase in chromosomal defects. For this reason, the only method that we have for overcoming the "age factor" is to increase the number of embryos available in the hope that there will be one that is still good. That is why we transfer a lot of embryos. It is definitely a numbers/statistical game. Increasing the number of embryos transferred will increase the pregnancy rate in your age group. This also means that if this cycle fails, you have to keep trying until you are finally successful to give yourself the best chance. Remember, at your age, the chances for pregnancy are about 20% per cycle (1 out of 5).
Sincerely,
Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com and twitter with me at @montereybayivf.
