News of rising fertility success rates is being featured in papers around the world, becoming the buzz on the internet and even being featured on nightly news programs and talk shows. Recently, Katie Couric devoted a portion of her show to “Snowflake Babies,” a fascinating program in which couples donate their frozen embryos to infertile couples who wish to adopt them. Also making news is the Embryoscope, a remarkable advancement in technology that is not only helping to increase fertility success rates, but also allowing couples to see their baby develop and grow from the moment of conception. Couples considering in vitro fertilization (IVF) are now seeking facilities that have an Embryoscope and an Embryology lab.
THE LATEST IN IVF TECHNOLOGY
Fertility Institute of Hawaii is one of the first fertility clinics in the world to acquire an Embryoscope and one of only 10 centers in the United States to have this type of incubator.
Top fertility specialist Dr. John Frattarelli with the clinic’s state-of-the-art Embryoscope
So, what is an Embryoscope exactly and how does it aid in the IVF process? The Fertility Institute of Hawaii’s website has detailed information about this new, high tech piece of equipment:
“The EmbryoScope is a state-of-the-art incubator that allows continuous documentation of embryo development and collects images of the embryo as it develops without removing the embryo from the incubator. Since embryos are very sensitive to changes in temperature, oxygen, air changes, ph changes etc., the EmbryoScope will allow us to monitor an embryo’s development and collect images of the embryo as it develops without removing the embryo from the incubator. This will allow us to more accurately choose the best embryos for our patients.”
Approved by the FDA in 2011, the Embryoscope has the ability to hold 12 embryos at a time, from six different patients. It has a higher success rate than normal IVF. Embryos monitored and maintained in this specialized incubator have an 80% chance of resulting in a healthy pregnancy. The Embryoscope takes photographs of the embryo every 20 minutes, in the climate-controlled chambers. This allows physicians to then screen for genetic abnormalities. Typically, doctors are only able to check on an embryo once a day to see whether if it will be viable. Top fertility specialist Dr. John Frattarelli says he’s thrilled by the success he’s seen with the Embryoscope at Fertility Institute of Hawaii:
“We have been very impressed with the EmbryoScope, it has
allowed us to evaluate embryo development more thoroughly than ever. We
have found that certain patients do benefit with improved pregnancy success
if their embryos are placed in the EmbryoScope. Patients not only love the
improved pregnancy rates realized when using the EmbryoScope but also love
the video that they receive of their embryo’s development from fertilization
to the day of embryo transfer.”
~ Dr. John Frattarelli
EMBRYOSCOPE AND TOP DOCS ATTRACT INTERNATIONAL PATIENTS TO HAWAII
Success rates are so high, international patients looking to decrease risk factors and increase the likelihood of a healthy baby, are now coming to the United States from Canada, Asia and Australia for treatment at Fertility Institute of Hawaii. Later this month, Dr. Frattarelli says the laboratory will undergo an expansion to accommodate patients visiting the facility daily. This is fantastic news, as it will allow for more state-of-the-art equipment not utilized by any other facility in Hawaii. It will also continue to boost the lab’s success rates, which are already in the top 10% of the nation.
About the author
Juli Auclair Lipof is a journalist, producer and social media consultant who specializes in parenting and media.
Authors Note: As an advocate for women’s health, I wrote this blog to provide information and bring attention to the matters of infertility on a global level. I was compensated for my expertise.