Traditionally, the embryos that will be transferred have been selected based on cell division of the develping embryo, on equal size of the cells and on the rate of fragmentation. According to the past experience of our doctors and biologists, other evaluation criteria can also be used when selecting the embryos. These new bases for evaluation have given promising results when trying to select the one embryo which stands the greatest chance to develop and implant itself into the uterine cavity. Co-culture, which means embryo cultivation at least until day five, the blastocyst stage, also increases the probability for a better embryo selection for implantation. This technique is available at our clinic. Pre-implantational genetic diagnosis also improves embryo selection, especially for couples with a history of repetitive implantation failure

New techniques available at Fertia

Nowadays, there is much debate about the male factor and its implication in relation to bad quality embryos, IVF failure, and repetitive miscarriages. This is why we have started to study the chromosomes of the sperm (FISH, fluorescent in situ hybridization) and DNA fragmentation of the sperm.

Success rates

The chances of falling pregnant through ovulation induction are approximately between 10-15% per attempt. With insemination it is approximately 20%. Because the likelihood of pregnancy is fairly low, these treatment methods should usually be attempted several times, which will increase one’s chances of success. When donor sperm is used, the success rate is slightly higher, approximately 25% per treatment, the average age of this group was 41 years .
With the IVF treatment, one treatment results in a 30-50% pregnancy success rate. This rate is the same regardless of whether "traditional" IVF or micro-insemination techniques are used. The success rate strongly correlates with the woman's age and the general medical diagnosis of the couple in question. In our clinic, during 2007, the pregnancy rate for women 38 years old or younger was 58%, but for women over 38 it was 25% and the average age for those patients in this group was 41. With egg donation treatment, the success rate is similar, or better. During 2007, we had a 55% pregnancy rate for these treatments. With the transfer of frozen embryos, the likelihood is slightly lower: 45% per transfer, during 2007.
Should the first treatment procedure not result in pregnancy, it is normally not due to some fault, but rather a result of a coincidence. Not all fertilized eggs develop to be embryos, which could attach themselves onto the uterus and develop naturally. Therefore, one should enter IVF treatment with the thought that more than one treatment might have to be carried out. For example, several studies suggest that the success rate for falling pregnant at the fourth attempt is almost equal to that of the first attempt.

Our results during 2008

Our pregnancy rates, in terms of ongoing pregnancies, which means pregnancies for which we have already seen an embryo with a visible heart beat, are as follows: for women 38 years or younger it is 54%, for women over 38 it is 33%, and for egg donation cycles it is 53%

Pregnancy

A urine or a blood test confirms pregnancy two weeks after the insemination or the embryo transfer. The first ultrasound scan can be done three weeks after a positive pregnancy test. After this, the follow-up antenatal care is normally planned according to individual needs. Pregnancies which have been induced by assisted reproduction methods continue, on average, similarly to any other pregnancies. About 20% of all pregnancies are miscarried and there is a small (about 1%) risk of ectopic pregnancy. Commonly the increased risks in IVF are related to multiple pregnancies, as described in the section "Risks and side-effects".