Bay IVF Specialists to Restrict Number of Embryos Transferred

Practice joins national effort to reduce health risks of multiples in wake of
'Octomom'

SAN RAMON, Calif., Nov. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of a nationwide effort to
reduce unnecessary multiple births resulting from fertility treatment, the
Reproductive Science Center of the San Francisco Bay Area (RSC) has embraced
revised guidelines issued this October by the American Society for
Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) intended to limit the number of embryos that
should be transferred during in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures.

"In the past 30 years that IVF has been available, the public gradually
accepted the idea that multiple births are a normal part of fertility
medicine. But today, thanks to improvements in medical technology, a single
healthy baby is not only the ideal outcome, it is achievable," said Dr. Mary
Hinckley of RSC.

The topic of multiple embryo implantation gained national attention when Nadya
Suleman gave birth to eight babies last winter. The ASRM recently expelled her
doctor, calling his decorum "detrimental to our field."

"While the course of treatment ultimately depends on an individual's age and
health, we adhere to ASRM guidelines. We strongly advise patients to consider
the higher chance of complications associated with twins and to aim for one
healthy child at a time," said Hinckley.

"Many patients have endured long and difficult struggles with infertility and
become enamored with the idea of twins. But they haven't seen the preemies
born with lifelong medical ailments due to multiple gestation," she added. The
new guidelines regarding number of embryos transferred are for:

-- Women under 35: no more than two embryos
-- Women 35 to 37 who have a favorable prognosis: no more than two
-- Women 38 to 40 who have a favorable prognosis, no more than three; all
others no more than four
-- Women 41 to 42: five maximum

-- Women 43 and older: data were insufficient to recommend limits.

About RSC
Established in 1983, RSC was among the first in the nation to report a
successful pregnancy from donated egg, and was also responsible for the
nation's second successful frozen embryo transfer. A member of IntegraMed,
RSC's six infertility specialists maintain offices in San Ramon, Orinda, San
Jose, and Modesto, www.rscbayarea.com.

SOURCE Reproductive Science Center of the San Francisco Bay Area

JoAnne Brian, +1-925-973-5008, for Reproductive Science Center of the San
Francisco Bay Area