Our New Jersey fertility specialist explains implantation failure
Jane Miller MD utilizes her experience and the latest techniques in reproductive medicine to help patients achieve successful pregnancies, but sometimes implantation failure can occur. The key to overcoming this hurtle to pregnancy is to understand more about how and why embryos implant in the uterus – and what can interfere with this process.
The difference between embryo transfer and implantation
During in vitro fertilization (IVF), our New Jersey fertility specialist does not implant embryos in the patient’s uterus – she transfers them. By performing embryo biopsy and preimplantation genetic screening (PGS), we can select genetically normal embryos to transfer to a designated location in a woman’s uterine cavity. Implantation, which is a process that occurs between the embryo and the endometrium (uterine lining), occurs after transfer.
The causes of implantation failure
Many patients want to know why all euploid (genetically normal) embryos don’t implant and grow into a successful pregnancy? The national average for successful implantation and pregnancy after the transfer of a genetically normal embryo, as determined by PGS, is 66%. Why is it not 100%?
Our New Jersey fertility specialist explains that implantation failure can occur because of problems with the embryo and/or the uterine environment.
When it comes to the embryo, there are two ways to tell if it has the potential to implant and grow into a baby, including PGS and the embryo grade.
As for the uterine environment, our New Jersey fertility specialist explains that mechanical problems within the uterine cavity can cause implantation failure.
Not only can an endometrial biopsy identify inflammatory problems and infections in the uterus, it can also determine the best time to transfer an embryo. The endometrial biopsy, when combined with the ERA test, can identify a woman’s individual implantation window to determine the optimal day for embryo transfer.
Individualized fertility care to combat implantation failure
Our New Jersey fertility doctor believes that taking a careful, detailed patient history can help diagnose problems with embryo genetics, embryo grade and uterine receptivity. She can then offer appropriate testing to patients and, once diagnosed, provide treatment for these problems before an IVF cycle to improve a woman’s chances of achieving pregnancy success.
Contact our New Jersey fertility specialist to schedule an appointment and learn more about the causes of implantation failure.