embryo transfer strategies in IVF

Last reviewed 01/2018

Embryo transfer strategies in IVF

When considering the number of fresh or frozen embryos to transfer in IVF treatment:

• for women aged under 37 years:
  • in the first full IVF cycle use single embryo transfer
  • in the second full IVF cycle use single embryo transfer if 1 or more top-quality embryos are available. Consider using 2 embryos if no top-quality embryos are available
  • in the third full IVF cycle transfer no more than 2 embryos
    
    
• for women aged 37-39 years:
  • in the first and second full IVF cycles use single embryo transfer if there are 1 or more top-quality embryos. Consider double embryo transfer if there are no top-quality embryos
  • in the third full IVF cycle transfer no more than 2 embryos
    
    
• for women aged 40-42 years consider double embryo transfer

Where a top-quality blastocyst is available, use single embryo transfer.

Reference:

• NICE (September 2017).Fertility - Assessment and treatment for people with fertility problems