by Alison O'Donoghue

Created on: July 01, 2008

Increasing the odds of a successful IVF

Preconception counselling can be particularly effective

If an infertile couple are using assisted reproductive treatment (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) to conceive a child, this presents a unique opportunity for preconception counselling the moment of conception is easily identifiable. The health habits of both the male and female partner should be examined and, if necessary, adjusted. The female partner should abstain from smoking since this suppresses ovarian function and leads to lower egg production and pregnancy rates. The male partner should also abstain to help improve semen quality. If necessary, advice can also be given about intake of alcohol and illicit drugs, weight reduction, exercise and stress-reduction measures. The male partner is generally advised to avoid hot baths, steam rooms and to wear loose-fitting underwear.

Type of infertility diagnosis affects outcome

Certain infertility diagnoses are more difficult to overcome than others and are associated with lower success rates. For instance, women with endometriosis (the presence of womb lining tissue outside the womb) are more likely to successfully deliver a baby after IVF than women with a fibroid (a swelling which distorts the womb) or a hydrosalpinx (an obstructed and dilated fallopian tube). If the male partner has a very low sperm count or a lot of misshapen sperm, the technique of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is likely to be required to achieve a successful IVF outcome.

Age and embryo transfer considerations

In general, women most likely to give birth to a healthy baby after IVF are younger than 35 years, use freshly fertilized embryos from their own eggs and have good quality embryos. For this group of women, transferring more embryos provides little improvement in live birth rates with an increasing risk of multiple birth rates. For women who are older and who are receiving embryos of lower quality, a successful outcome is less likely. Therefore, the transfer of additional embryos is considered - this may improve live birth rates, although there may be an increased risk of multiple pregnancy. Interestingly, many infertile couples prefer a multiple birth as their treatment outcome, even when made aware of the fact that there may be more complications in multiple pregnancies, a higher risk of preterm birth, more health problems for the infants and more stress for the family.

Progesterone supplementation helps to achieve successful

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>