Public funding for single embryo transfer cuts multifetal pregnancy rates in IVF
A study by ICES and Queen’s University found that since the implementation of Ontario’s publicly funded IVF program with elective single embryo transfer (eSET) in 2015, the rate of multifetal pregnancies in IVF treatments decreased significantly. However, the decrease was less pronounced for ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination (OI/IUI) treatments. Between 2006 and 2021, the multifetal pregnancy rate declined from 29% to 7% with IVF and from 13% to 9% with OI/IUI. The study highlights the need for improved protocols and standardization in OI/IUI to further reduce multifetal pregnancies.