Worldwide, approximately 500,000 in vitro fertilization cycles are performed every year. Although the best possible result is a healthy child, the technology carries a number of varying risks and complications leading to a trade-off between the efficacy of these treatments and their quality and safety. Drawing on contributions from international experts with academic and clinical backgrounds, Assisted Reproductive Technologies: Quality and Safety presents an analysis of the medical risks and complications involved in reproductive medicine. Putting the intricacies of reproductive health in the spotlight, the book describes side-effects, risks, and complications related to ART treatments. It discusses ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, demonstrates the impact of judicious elective single embryo transfer, and focuses heavily on multiple pregnancy as the major risk factor of ART. The editors highlight the relatively less likely, but important risks of oncogenic complications, bleeding at the time of ovum retrieval, and the even smaller but still existing risk for maternal mortality. They include discussions of non-medical factors that can have a major impact on people's lives such as psychological, sexual, financial, moral, ethical, and philosophical dilemmas. In today's litigious climate, modern management of any clinic is all about minimizing risks and complications. Thoroughly addressing quality and safety issues in ART, this book provides succinct, up-to-date information on quality care in reproductive medicine.

This book was first published in 2008. Multiple pregnancies are the most frequent and serious complication of assisted reproduction. Both high-order multiple and twin pregnancies entail a number of medical and economic outcomes that affect the children, the mother, the parents, the families, and society as a whole. Limiting the number of embryos to transfer is the only method available to decrease the incidence of multiple pregnancies. Single Embryo Transfer reviews the advantages and limitations of this approach to assisted reproduction. The crucial issue of selecting the best embryo will be reviewed in detail. All clinical issues involved in setting up and running an SET programme will be covered, including important topics such as cryopreservation of embryos, embryo donation, and patient counselling. The final chapters on future SET trends in Europe and North America are written by leading figures in the IVF world. The book is of interest to physicians, embryologists, nurses, insurers, politicians, ethicists and patients.

Multiple pregnancies are the most frequent and serious complication of assisted reproduction. Both high-order multiple and twin pregnancies entail a number of medical and economic outcomes that affect the children, the mother, the parents, the families, and society as a whole. Limiting the number of embryos to transfer is the only method available to decrease the incidence of multiple pregnancies. Single Embryo Transfer reviews the advantages and limitations of this approach to assisted reproduction. The crucial issue of selecting the best embryo will be reviewed in detail. All clinical issues involved in setting up and running an SET programme will be covered, including important topics such as cryopreservation of embryos, embryo donation, and patient counselling. The final chapters on future SET trends in Europe and North America are written by leading figures in the IVF world. The book is of interest to physicians, embryologists, nurses, insurers, politicians, ethicists and patients.