Publication:

Obstetric and perinatal outcomes in pregnancies occurring as a result of Fresh and Thawed frozen embryo transfer

Background In vitro fertilization is a known independent risk factor for adverse perinatal outcomes. To explore obstetric and perinatal outcomes in pregnancies occurring as a result of fresh and thawed frozen embryo transfer.

Methods Retrospective observational study with 208 patients. A period of 2 years from October 2015 to October 2017. Tertiary care Fertility, Laparoscopy and research centre. All pregnancies conceived by IVF (n= 208) between the study period were included. The patients were grouped by fresh (n= 108) versus frozen (n= 100) embryo transfer. Patients conceived with donor embryo transfer were excluded. Primary outcomes were missed abortions, ectopic pregnancy, live births. Incidence singleton pregnancies and multiple gestations, preterm delivery, birth weight, an obstetric complication includes gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, gestational DM, placenta previa.

Results A total 208 patient analyzed who conceived with IVF treatments, among them 108 patients were in Fresh ET group and 100 were in Frozen ET group. The incidence of Ectopic Pregnancy was more in fresh ET as compared to Frozen ET (14.8%, 02% respectively, p value <0.05) whereas that of missed abortions were more in Frozen ET (22% versus 11.1%, p value 0.03). There were no significant differences in obstetric and perinatal outcomes in both groups.

Conclusions In this study of IVF pregnancies, adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes did not differ between fresh and frozen embryo transfers. Literature tells that there may be an increased risk of preeclampsia and large for gestational age babies in pregnancies conceiving after frozen embryo transfer. So freeze all policy should be applied to only indicated cases and not to all because both the groups having similar outcomes.