Comparison of pregnancy, implantation, and multiple gestation rates for day 3 versus day 5 embryo transfers.

PurposeTo compare pregnancy, implantation, and multiple gestation rates resulting from day 3 and day 5 embryo transfers after in vitro fertilization emphasizing a subset of patients who met criteria for day 5 transfer but elected to undergo day 3 transfer.MethodA retrospective analysis of day 3 and day 5 embryo transfers from January 2001 to June 2002 were evaluated in a community teaching hospital setting. A total of 331 patients < or = 40 years old were included. Using Student's t test, chi2 test, and Fisher's exact test, we compared the pregnancy, implantation, and multiple gestation rates.ResultsPregnancy, implantation, and multiple gestation rates were not significantly different between the subgroup who met criteria for day 5 embryo transfer but elected day 3 transfer. There was no significant difference between similar parameters in the overall comparison of day 3 versus day 5 embryo transfers.ConclusionsBlastocyst transfers have similar multiple gestation rates, pregnancy rates, and implantation rates when compared to day 3 embryo transfers.