Single Embryo Transfer As Likely To Result In A Live Birth In Older Women As In Younger Women - Response From Infertility Network UK

Main Category: Fertility
Article Date: 31 May 2006 - 23:00 PDT

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Clare Brown, Chief Executive of I N UK said today "We agree that single embryo transfer (SET) is a safer option for women as it avoids the risks and potential complications of multiple births. However, it is understandable that the vast majority of couples are deeply unhappy about any move to SET whilst there is still a severe lack of NHS funding for fertility treatment.

Patients who receive no NHS funding and can only afford to pay for one private cycle are often willing to risk twins or even triplets to allow them to have the family they so desperately want.

We know from the feedback I N UK receives from patients that most would be very concerned about the effect on the success rates of IVF/ICSI of reducing the number of embryos that could be transferred to one. The odds of a couple being successful are already stacked against them, and anything which makes those odds lower will worry patients and we fully expect this issue to be debated at National Infertility Day on 10th June

If the savings on the cost of neonatal care to the NHS were reallocated to enable more cycles of IVF to be provided on the NHS, couples would be able to access the number of cycles which gives them a fair chance of success. In countries such as Belgium and Denmark where SET is the norm, couples are able to have six and five attempts respectively."

Infertility Network UK
Charter House
43 St. Leonards Road
Bexhill on Sea
East Sussex. TN40 1JA
Uhttp://www.infertilitynetworkuk.com

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