Single Embryo Transfer (SET) vs. Multiple Embryo Transfer: Risks and Benefits

 

IVF (Invitro fertilization) is not new to people now, especially for couples who are struggling with their pregnancy or conceiving. ART (Assisted reproductive technology) has brought a revolutionary change in the lives of couples experiencing infertility as it enhances the chances and makes the dream of starting a family a reality.

During the IVF process, multiple eggs are harvested and fertilized, leading to the development of viable embryos, which are transferred to the uterus. In your IVF process, you need the mots critical decision for yourself whether you need to opt for single embryo transfer (SET) or multiple embryo transfer (MET). This article will provide you with information about the distinction between each approach, as both are associated with different risks and benefits. Your choice will directly impact the outcome of the IVF cycle and the long-term health of both the child and mother.

Let’s explore some of the risks and benefits of SET and MET to gain a comprehensive understanding and knowledge to make wise decisions.

 

Single Embryo transfer

Single embryo transfer leads to the placement of the embryo in the uterus. Here, one embryo has a high pregnancy success rate while reducing the risks of having multiple babies. Thus, SET has prominence over other methods as it manages the frequency of risks associated with numerous childbirths.

 

Benefits of SET

Reduced multiplicity of births

The major benefit that has been witnessed by the couple with SET is minimizing the risks of multiple pregnancies. Multiple births such as twins, triplets, or higher order of multiples lead to undesired complications like low birth weight, preterm birth, and higher risks of mortality of neonatal mortality. It affects the survival rate of the newborn child, and it also poses higher risks to mothers with preeclampsia and gestational diabetes and requires cesarean requires a high time for its recovery.

 

Improved Neonatal Outcomes:

Multiple births require neonatal intensive care. Thus, SET is preferred by individuals as these children have healthier birth weights and are born after full term. It ensures that there are fewer complications and minimal neonatal care compared to a multiplicity of births.

 

Long-term Health Benefits:

Children with single embryo transfer tend to be healthy and in better health conditions as compared to childbirth with multiple embryo transfer. The child’s development is like a normal child as the risks with their developmental issues are low, and they are likely to be less prone to any chronic health diseases.

 

Psychosocial Benefits

The issues of stress and anxiety are low among parents of singletons compared to multiple children. They are highly involved in the development of their child both physically and mentally. Thus, SET is proven to be effective for couples in improving their psychological health and social well-being.

 

Risks of SET

• The risk associated with SET is a lower chance of immediate pregnancy compared to MET. This is a problematic situation for people who are bound by time or financial constraints.
• Another risk posed by SET is that due to the low rate of immediate pregnancy, couples need to go for multiple IVF cycles to have a successful pregnancy. It increases the emotional instability among couples and can even lead to stressful situations. More IVF cycles lead to higher costs, having a financial burden on patients.

 

Multiple embryo transfer

Multiple embryo transfer is preferred by couples who want to have their pregnancy quickly while having few IVF treatments. Under this procedure, two or more embryos are placed in the uterus to increase the probability of pregnancy. Although the MET increases the chances of pregnancy in women, it doesn’t mean that all women need to have multiple embryos to be transferred.

MET is generally beneficial for women above 35 as the quality of eggs decreases with age, and MET helps improve the chances of conceiving.

 

Benefits of MET

Higher chances of pregnancy

The likelihood of increasing the frequency of pregnancy is higher in pregnancy per cycle. This is beneficial for people who have already endured a number of unsuccessful IVF attempts. It is also fruitful for people who have a low chance of conceiving or getting pregnant due to their age or other relevant factors.

 

Low consumption of time

Less time is required tp get pregnancy with MET as the probability of getting pregnant is high with multiple embryo transfers. It acts as an important factor for those who have minimal time for or have high-pressure of time due to their age or personal situations.

 

 

Risks of MET

• The foremost risk with MET is the high risk of the multiplicity of children. This leads to the engagement of the mother with several complications in their pregnancy. The complications could be preterm birth, low birth weight, and increased perinatal morbidity and mortality. It could also be risky for mothers as they need to deal with different health-related problems.
• Another risk with MET is that it is an expensive treatment for couples as it requires intensive prenatal care, which can be costly for people. Moreover, it also needs frequent hospital visits, medication, and hospital stays.
• Adding to it, taking care of multiple infants leads to physical, mental, and emotional turmoil for the parents. It facilitates more effort as compared to a singleton child, which could even lead to physical distress and require medical intervention.
• Children born from multiple pregnancies are at higher risk for developmental delays and long-term health issues. This can include cognitive impairments, physical disabilities, and chronic conditions that require ongoing medical and educational support.

 

The success rate of SET and MET

The success rates of Single Embryo Transfer (SET) and Multiple Embryo Transfer (MET) are:

1. Live Birth Rates: The live birth rate was significantly lower with SET compared to DET (27% vs 42%)
2. Multiple Birth Rates: The multiple live birth rate was significantly lower with SET compared to DET (2% vs 29%)
3. Implantation Rates: The implantation rate is a key factor. It can be up to 70-80% for frozen embryo transfers or gestational carrier cycles, compared to 10-15% for a 40-year-old woman.

End Note

Compared to MET, SET has a lower live birth rate due to several factors, but if the cumulative live birth rate is taken into account, the rate is similar for subsequent frozen SET cycles. The core advantage of SET is that it minimizes the risks of multiple births. The choice is yours as it is related to numerous factors. Still, the decision should be made by considering individual patient factors, embryo quality, and the goal of achieving a healthy singleton pregnancy.

If you are concerned about choosing the best fertility treatment, we at Aveya IVF Centre specialize in it. We go through every aspect of your treatment required for having successful IVF treatment.

Please contact us today for a free consultation