Having overcome infertility issues for her first pregnancy, Christina Michaud, 33, knew that getting pregnant again would be challenging.
After five in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles resulting in five miscarriages, she was beginning to give up hope. With just two IVF embryos remaining, the couple decided try one more time. This time their fertility doctor, Dr. Kaylen Silverberg of Texas Fertility Center suggested the couple try a test called endometrial receptivity analysis or ERA, which evaluates a patient’s cells to determine when a woman’s body is most receptive to implantation with an embryo.
The test made all the difference. Christina is now 30 weeks pregnant with a son.
How it works endometrial receptivity analysis, ERA
The tool is aimed for patients like Christina who suffer multiple unexplained miscarriages via IVF. It essentially determines the best time to implant an embryo by looking at the DNA in a women’s endometrial lining.
IVF is the fertilization of a woman’s eggs outside of the body. This process creates embryos, which are then transferred into the woman’s uterus. Up until now, the general practice was to transfer the egg to the endometrium, or lining of the uterus, between days 19 and 21 of a woman’s menstrual cycle. However, new research published about the ERA test says this process is too early or too late for some women.
How many might benefit? A recent study suggests up to 25% of women undergoing IVF have an issue with implantation. This test may help women reduce the number of IVF cycles they undergo (conceive quicker) and, thus, reduce their overall fertility costs.
Watch the news report on Austin’s KXAN
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