The size of a woman’s uterus may be the deciding factor when contemplating how many embryos should be transferred during IVF. A study presented recently, has shown that women with the smallest uteri (63 millimeters or less) had a greater chance having babies born severely premature with increased number of fetal deaths, in pregnancies with multiple births. During the study the women with the smallest uteri resulted in six fetal deaths linked to prematurity, while only no fetal deaths linked to prematurely in the group with medium size (64 to 70 millimeters high) and among those with uterus height greater than 70 millimeters.

The size of the uterus can be measured by a transvaginal ultrasound before IVF. This ultrasound can help assess the risks of transferring more than one embryo (one embryo is the best way of avoiding multiple births, but also carries the risk of being least likely to result in pregnancy). Researchers intend to make use of this technology further by studying whether a short uterine cavity affects single pregnancies to find whether it can identify which women may need intensive neonatal care.

Should we depend on this kind of study for IVF procedures? Should all IVFs consist of only one embryo transfer to be on the safe side? Do you think this will become a standard procedure for women? When a woman is naturally impregnated, should an ultrasound be done to determine whether she could safely carry multiple babies? What safeguards should we have for the fetuses when there is a small uterus involved? What are your thoughts? www.ericksonlaw.net

http://www.wafb.com/global/story.asp?s=8656753

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