According to the latest figures from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) on live birth rates following IVF treatment, the fertility unit is the 9th highest performing unit in the UK, based on the number of successful births per embryo transferred.
For women of all ages receiving treatment at Gateshead, 29% of embryos transferred resulted in live births, which makes it the most successful in the North East of England, and the third best in the north of the UK.
The national average stands at 23%. For woman aged under 35, the figures are even better with 35% of embryos resulting in a live birth compared with a national average of 29%.
These excellent results have been achieved alongside a reduction in multiple pregnancies to 5%. The Unit uses a pioneering method of IVF treatment that maximises the pregnancy rate, reduces the rates of multiple pregnancies and provides a better pregnancy outcome for mother and baby.
Mr Ian Aird, consultant gynaecologist and clinical lead for fertility services at QE Gateshead, said: “We are very proud of the quality of the care offered at our unit. These fantastic results are a tribute to the vision and innovation of all our staff that have led to us bringing in new technologies to our treatments in the last few years.
“The introduction of prolonged embryo culture with time lapse embryology has allowed our team to identify the embryos with the highest implantation potential resulting in higher pregnancy rates and without increasing the risk of dangerous multiple pregnancies. These results would not have been possible without the investment and support provided by the Trust in 2015 when we introduced prolonged embryo culture and time-lapse incubators into our practice.”
The Fertility Unit at the QE Gateshead has traditionally had some of the highest pregnancy rates within the region. The purpose built, self-contained unit offers a personal approach and friendly staff with all treatments tailored to patients’ needs, with an emphasis on supporting patients throughout the whole process.