Many people struggle with infertility and need assistance to start their families. Others may put off having children for personal reasons and choose an alternative means of conceiving. In either situation, embryo transfers might be the best way to have a baby. While many might consider traditional in vitro fertilization, the former could be better for various reasons.
What Is Embryo Transfer?
Embryo transfer involves taking eggs fertilized with sperm and implanting them in a woman’s uterus. Traditionally, this is done in a laboratory for in vitro fertilization (IVF), but it’s possible to rely on the procedure alone to conceive. After embryos are created, they can be used immediately or frozen for later use.
Who Should Use Embryo Transfer?
Certain people are considered good candidates for embryo transfer. Usually, it’s appropriate for those with fertility issues that make it difficult or impossible to get pregnant naturally. Embryo transfer is best for couples or individuals dealing with the following:
- Ovulation disorders: Women with ovulation disorders or who ovulate irregularly can benefit from embryo transfer.
- Endometriosis: Endometriosis is a disorder that causes endometrial tissue to grow outside the uterus. It can also make it harder to conceive.
- Fibroids: Uterine fibroids can impair the ability of a fertilized egg to implant in a woman’s uterus and cause miscarriage when implantation does occur.
- Fallopian tube problems: Women with blocked or damaged fallopian tubes have trouble conceiving because the egg can’t travel to the uterus. Embryo transfer is a solution for having children.
- Low sperm count or poor motility: Men with low sperm count or poor sperm motility and their partners are good candidates for the procedure so they can have children.
- Perimenopause or menopause: Women in perimenopause have slim odds of conceiving naturally, and those who have already reached menopause can no longer get pregnant at all. If they have frozen embryos, they have much better odds of having children through embryo transfer.
What Is the Process of Embryo Transferring?
Before the process of embryo transfer, you’re given estradiol hormones to prepare you. You undergo vaginal ultrasounds and blood tests to determine how you respond to this treatment. Progesterone is also given through pill, muscular injection or vaginal gel once your endometrium reaches the appropriate thickness.
During embryo transfer, the doctor uses a speculum to open your cervix and then inserts a catheter. The embryos are placed inside the uterus through this device. An ultrasound is performed to view the process, which takes around 15 minutes. If successful, the embryo implants in the uterus within a few days.
Why Embryo Transfer Is Better Than IVF
For many people, embryo transfer is a better option than IVF. The following are some examples of why:
- Cheaper: IVF is known to be $20,000 per cycle, and most women or couples require multiple cycles. Embryo transfer ranges from $3,000 to $5,000 with frozen embryos.
- Fewer medications: Women undergoing embryo transfer take fewer medications than those relying on IVF. This makes the process easier on the body as it has fewer side effects.
- Better chances of success: IVF often fails, leaving women and couples feeling discouraged and even heartbroken. Embryo transfer has a greater chance of successful conception.
Embryo transfer might be the best option for some people. If you have fertility problems or disorders, it might be the answer you’ve been seeking for having a family.
