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Should a patient's own IVF physician perform the embryo transfer?

  • Assisted Reproduction
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose: To compare pregnancy rates of embryo transfers performed by a patient's own IVF physician to pregnancy rates of embryo transfers performed by other physicians on the IVF team.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study; University hospital.

Results: A total of 3029 embryo transfers were included. 434 patients (14%) had an embryo transfer by their own IVF physician. There was no difference in pregnancy rates comparing patients who had embryos transferred by a different physician than their own IVF physician when all cycle attempts were analyzed [Odds ratio (OR) 1.1; Confidence interval (CI) 0.9–1.4]. There was no significant difference between the groups' population characteristics. A subset analysis of 1st cycle only embryo transfers (n=1416) also revealed no difference in pregnancy rates [OR 1.1; CI 0.8–1.5].

Conclusions: Patients can be reassured that their chances of pregnancy are the same whether their embryo transfer is performed by their own physician or another physician in the practice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Stephanie J. Estes, Stacey A. Missmer & Elizabeth S. Ginsburg

Authors
  1. Stephanie J. Estes
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  2. Stacey A. Missmer
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  3. Elizabeth S. Ginsburg
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Correspondence to Elizabeth S. Ginsburg.

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Estes, S.J., Missmer, S.A. & Ginsburg, E.S. Should a patient's own IVF physician perform the embryo transfer?. J Assist Reprod Genet 23, 235–239 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-006-9045-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-006-9045-1

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