Published on May 8, 2012 at 10:54 AM
Looking at evidence from other European countries, Rachel led a project to develop national guidelines recommending the use of only one embryo at a time, publishing a paper in the leading journal Human Fertility in 2009, which has changed the way in which embryologists practice across the across the country.
Rachel also ensured that the Sheffield Assisted Conception Unit pioneered single embryo transfer, improving the safety of patients in the city. The unit now carries out around 700 procedures every year, with 60% requiring just one embryo transfer.
Single embryo transfer at the unit now has a very similar success rate to double embryo transfer, but with a much lower chance of multiple pregnancy.
Rachel continued: “It is often a concern of patients that having just one embryo transfer will reduce their chances of pregnancy. However, by improving the way we carry out single embryo transfers, we’ve been able to drive up success rates at the same time as improving safety for our patients. I am very glad that this is becoming standard practice across the country.”
Aside from her role at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Rachel is Chair of the Association of Clinical Embryologists.
Source: http://www.sth.nhs.uk