New screening technique boosts IVF success rate
The IVF success rate could double for TTC-ers thanks to a new screening technique. Up to half the eggs of younger women and up to 75% in women over 39 carry abnormal chromosomes, which is a major cause of miscarriage. Screening the eggs for these chromosomal abnormalities could make a huge difference. In 2009 a forty-one-year-old British woman, who’d had 13 failed attempts at IVF and two miscarriages, was the first in the world to become pregnant using this new technique.
Embryo screening doubles chances of pregnancy
Screening embryos for genetic defects could dramatically improve the chances of an embryo successfully implanting through IVF, maximizing the chances of would-be mums falling pregnant. When using the technique twice as many embryos ended in pregnancy and experts achieved birth in four out of five attempts in women whose treatment had previously failed.
New technique could help mature TTC-ers
Japanese researchers have successfully split the eggs of an older and younger woman – a process that could double the chances of older would-be mums becoming pregnant. Researchers took the nucleus from an older woman’s egg and swapped it into the younger woman’s egg, which essentially means the baby has two mums. At the moment fertility laws in the UK don’t allow babies to be born with three parents but some people believe it’s only be a matter of time before this new technique is adopted.
Affordable alternative to IVF
The Fertility Plan, written by two leading fertility specialists, is a three-month scheme that helps would-be mums overcome common blocks to pregnancy. Dr David, who was involved with the first successful IVF procedure decades ago and co-wrote the book, believes that couples are encouraged to seek IVF treatment too quickly. This book could give renewed hope to couples trying to conceive before they resort to fertility treatment.
IVF advice book launches this year
Look out for fertility guru Zita West’s new book launching this March. Zita West’s Guide to Fertility and Assisted Conception offers advice on preparing your body for IVF and other fertility treatments to help improve your chances of becoming pregnant.
