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Renewed hope exists for couples experiencing difficulties falling pregnant thanks to the recent launch of the embryoscope; an advanced incubator that allows for minute-by-minute observation of an embryo from the moment it is fertilised, to the point when it is transferred to a hopeful mom’s uterus. Internationally, this technique has been proven to increase chances of having a baby by more than 20%.
Now South African men and women with dreams of becoming parents have access to the embryoscope, because the first machine of its kind in the country has been launched by leading fertility clinic, Vitalab.
“Our commitment has always been to combine the latest techniques with the highest level of patient care. The embryoscope allows us to achieve this and more,” says Vitalab’s Dr Merwyn Jacobson.
How it works
“The embryoscope allows us to gather very specific information about embryos without having to remove them daily from the incubator to observe their progress. Continuous images of the embryos are captured as a video, which means we can monitor the embryos constantly and capture any new information about their growth. Based on this data, we can select embryos which are more likely to implant successfully in a hopeful mother-to-be’s womb,” explains Dr Jacobson.
The benefits
According to Dr Jacobson, the following benefits have been linked to the embryoscope and its success rate:
1.It improves embryo selection: Experts have learned that when embryos feature optimal levels of cell division, they have more than a 20% increased chance of implanting. Embryologists can now make decisions based on the actual condition of the embryo and where it is in the process of development, thanks to the embryoscope.
2. It improves embryo culture and incubator conditions: Incubators feature the very best gas and temperature conditions for embryos to develop. Before the embryoscope, the embryos would have to be removed daily for a few minutes from this perfect environment to assess their progress. This would cause stress to the embryo by reducing its temperature and changing the acidity of the environment. Now that the embryos can be assessed from inside the incubator, the embryos remains in an undisturbed condition resulting in higher pregnancy rates
3.It gives fertility specialists, embryologists and parents-to-be more information about the embryos: The duration of each cell division can now be measured and critical observations about the embryos can be confirmed
4.It provides a record on film of the beginning of the future baby's life: The embryoscope provides a record in pictures and videos of the very beginning of a future baby's life. This pioneering technique allows embryo cell division to be viewed on a monitor in real time, capturing moments from the beginning of life.
The start of a life
The pioneering technology that is the embryoscope has meant that many moms and dads across the globe have realised their long-held dreams of starting a family.
If you are hopeful parents-to-be consider the embryoscope and contact Vitalab on 0861 VITALAB or +27 (0)11 911-4700.
