Loading ...Doctors refuse to repeat “Jon&Kate” mistake
A fertility physician in Long Island is taking a stand against the debatable medical practice of implanting multiple embryos in IVF (in-vitro fertilization) procedures. The problem facing many doctors and patients who are seeking this form of treatment has always been the financial burden that multiple cycle transfers can be on the couple. The cost can be so prohibitive that patients will pressure the doctor to implant multiple embryos in a guarantee that at least one will take. Of course, if most or all take, then the parents are left with the medical issues and financial strain of having to take care of these multiple births.
Dr. David Kreiner of East Coast Fertility is implementing the Single EmbryoIncentive Program at his clinic in an effort to convince patients to not consider multiple embryo implants. With the new program, all viable embryos will be frozen and only one embryo at a time will be transferred. If multiple transfers are needed the procedure will be performed at no extra cost to the patient.
“We’ve reduced the sticker shock of IVF so dramatically by absorbing the fees associated with cryopreservation and subsequent transfers, that we’re providing a financial incentive for patients to do the right thing – for themselves, their marriages, their financial futures and, most important, any babies they may have,” Kreiner said. “Our goal is to help people already under the stress of infertility, choose the possibility of one healthy child with each pregnancy.”
Kreiner hopes that patients will use this program, even though it means less profit for his clinic. But he thinks it worth it.
Kreiner, a pioneer in the fiel
d who trained under legendary IVF innovators Drs. Howard and Georgianna Jones, vowed to bring an end to the heartache and ruin that comes with high order multiples.
