Miracle Blog

More Fertility Clinics Try Blastocyst Transfers

Recent reports show that more fertility clinics in the country implement the procedure of blastocyst transfers to decrease the risk of multiple births from IVF. The blastocyst transfer or “Day5 Transfer” allows fertilized eggs to grow for an additional 2 days past the standard three-day incubation to the point where it is ready to implant. Once the embryo reaches the blastocyst stage, the embryologist can better evaluate the quality of the embryo and to increase the chance of implanting successfully resulting in higher success rates.

Unlike other fertility clinics, the San Diego Fertility Center has been using the blastocyst transfer as one of the standard IVF techniques for years. Since its first case in 1998 in San Diego County, Drs. Hummel and Kettel have done close to 1,000 IVF cycles using this procedure. In order to use this technique, the lab has to have its separate air handling system and the latest model incubators to guarantee the best conditions for the embryos to develop. The reasons why other fertility clinics update their lab facilities to give the procedure a try are the rising concerns over the health risks and high medical costs associated with multiple births.

Learn more about blastocyst transfers.