U.K. fertility experts issued recommendations on Wednesday to reduce the rising number of twin births in cases of in-vitro fertilization, including the transfer of only one embryo into the womb. In a report presented to the nation’s fertility watchdog, the panel of experts said research has shown that limiting the number of embryos transferred can reduce the number of twins born through in-vitro fertilization without changing the overall success rate.
Some patients and clinics opt for transferring two embryos to increase the odds of success, but Braude said the rate of twins can be reduced by limiting the number to one without damaging a woman’s chance of conceiving. “The overall pregnancy rate is the same,” he said.
The experts presented their findings to a meeting of the Human fertilization and Embryology Authority watchdog on Wednesday.
Professor Chris Barratt, of the University of Birmingham Medical School, said the United Kingdom should be aiming for a twin birth rate of about 5%. “One quarter of live births are currently twins. Even though this is perceived as a success, the truth is that it’s much better for all concerned to have one child at a time,” he said in a statement in reaction to the report.