CCRM’s highest priority is to help our patients have the greatest chance of success of pregnancy with the fewest risks. Women over the age of 35 are now turning to single embryo transfer with comprehensive chromosomal screening (CCS) and having great outcomes.
Kaylyn and Paul Krummen struggled to get pregnant on their own, so they turned to CCRM for help. The Krummens opted to do single embryo transfer both times with their two viable healthy embryos. “It’s a lot safer for the mom and the babies just to have one baby during pregnancy,” said Kaylyn.
Risks of Twins (or “Multiples”)
Premature birth: About 60 percent of twins are born prematurely at an average of 35 weeks.
Low birth weight: More than half of twins are born at less than 5 ½ pounds. Low birth weight babies, especially those born before 32 weeks and/or weighing less than 3 1/3 pounds, are at increased risk of health problems during the newborn period, as well as lasting disabilities such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and vision and hearing loss.
Cesarean section: Women who carry multiples may be more likely to need Caesarean sections, which may require a longer period of recovery and at times can increase the risk of hemorrhage during and after delivery.
Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS): About 10 percent of identical twins who share a placenta develop TTTS, which occurs when a connection between the two babies’ blood vessels in the placenta causes one baby to get too much blood flow and the other too little.
Pre-eclampsia: Women expecting twins are more than twice as likely to develop pre-eclampsia, which is a combination of high blood pressure, protein in the urine and generalized swelling that can be dangerous for mother and baby.
Gestational diabetes: This pregnancy-related form of diabetes can cause the baby to grow especially large, increasing the risk of injuries to mother and baby during vaginal birth. Babies may also have breathing and other problems during the newborn period.
Single embryo transfer greatly reduces the risks associated with multiples and is a great option for many of our patients. “This is a very exciting advancement to enhance not only the success rates of what we do, but most importantly, the safety of what we do,” said CCRM physician Dr. Eric Surrey.
