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CDC report cites successes of reproductive services centerby Maureen McGuire - February 27, 2006 |
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The latest report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on national success rates for in vitro fertilization (IVF) again holds encouraging news for couples who are considering fertility treatments at the UConn Health Center. Success rates are based on the number of babies born through IVF. The Center for Advanced Reproductive Services at the Health Center achieved success rates above the national average in many categories and age groups, according to the report, including notable success rates for women under age 35. The data are available online . Click on ‘2003 ART Report’. The report, 2003 Assisted Reproductive Technology Success Rates, reflects pregnancy data for 2003 provided by 399 reporting fertility clinics throughout the United States. The report is intended to help consumers make informed decisions, and includes state-by-state data and findings from fertility programs. “It’s important to review credible data from sources such as the CDC when choosing a fertility center,” says Dr. John Nulsen, the Center’s medical director. “The decision to use IVF or any other form of advanced reproductive technology is a very important matter for couples. We advise people to gather as much information as possible.” The CDC report also shows that the UConn Center continues to achieve lower rates of higher-order multiples (triplets or more) than the national average. “In order to reduce risks for mothers and babies alike, we are committed to keeping the rate of multiple births as low as possible,” says Dr. Claudio Benadiva, director of the Center’s IVF lab. “We are proud of our success in keeping the percentage of pregnancies with triplets low, and will continue our efforts to ensure healthy mothers and babies.”
When to Seek Help If the woman is over 35, medical help is recommended after six months of trying, since fertility declines with age. Nulsen says it is important to make sure the fertility practice is certified by national organizations such as the College of American Pathologists, and that the physicians are all board-certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility or are candidates for board certification. The Center meets all of these important requirements. While an ob/gyn can start some of the basic tests for an individual or couple, Nulsen says it is recommended that couples work with a reproductive endocrinologist as soon as possible. “A board-certified reproductive endocrinologist brings a broader perspective to each couple’s unique situation,” he says, adding that the combined UConn team, including the nursing and lab staff, has decades of experience in fertility treatment. “Reproductive endocrinologists have additional training, advanced knowledge, and skills to diagnose and manage the underlying medical problems that can cause fertility problems,” he says. “Plus, at a university hospital like the UConn Health Center, physicians are engaged in clinical research on new treatments and approaches to care. This means patients benefit from the latest technologies and innovations in fertility treatments.” The Center for Advanced Reproductive Services offers many advanced techniques to help patients achieve successful pregnancies. UConn was one of the first IVF centers in Connecticut and is currently the largest such center in the state, with offices in Farmington and Hamden. For more information, call 860-679-4580 or visit www.uconnfertility.com. For more information about the success rates, the CDC report, or national accreditations, call 860-679-4324. |
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