REDONDO BEACH, Calif., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Reproductive Partners Medical Group, Inc. announces their Elective Single Embryo Transfer (eSET) Encouragement Program to provide a financial incentive for patients with good embryo quality and a good prognosis for success to consider reducing the chance of twins by transferring a single embryo.

The biggest issue in advanced reproductive technology today is reducing the number of multiple pregnancies, even twin pregnancies. In the early days of in vitro fertilization, it was common to transfer a large number of embryos to try to achieve a healthy pregnancy. Today, fewer embryos are required to attain a reasonable chance of success.

"Couples with fertility problems often assume that they can double their chances for a healthy baby by transferring two embryos instead of just one," explains Dr. Wisot. "But data recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that what they're really doing is increasing their odds of having twins, which is riskier for the mother and babies alike."

Pregnancies involving multiples, including twins, come with a greater risk of gestational diabetes, bleeding and preeclampsia for the mother, and cerebral palsy, birth defects, developmental delays and death for the babies. Twins usually survive, but incur higher medical expenses in the first five years of life.

Despite the risks involved in transferring multiple embryos, couples must weigh this decision against both the chance of a failed cycle and the costs incurred by starting another fresh or frozen embryo cycle.

For patients who qualify, the eSET Encouragement Program reduces the economic rationale for transferring more than one embryo. If an elective single embryo transfer is recommended and accepted by the couple and they do not achieve a 12-week pregnancy, the fees for embryo freezing and six months of storage will be waived.

"This innovative program incentivizes IVF patients to avoid the dangers of a twin pregnancy," says Dr. Wisot. "If Octo-Mom represents the dark side of reproductive medicine, the eSET Encouragement Program is the light."

For more information on the Reproductive Partners - Medical Group, Inc. Elective Single Embryo Transfer (eSET) Encouragement Program, please contact Dr. Arthur Wisot or visit http://www.reproductivepartners.com.

SOURCE Reproductive Partners Medical Group

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