An analysis of ectopic pregnancies following in vitro fertilisation treatment in a 10-year period.

Of clinical pregnancies in our in vitro fertilisation (IVF) programme, 5.4% were ectopic and 0.85% of clinical pregnancies (15% of ectopic pregnancies) were heterotopic. Ectopic pregnancies were more common after IVF/embryotransfer (ET) than frozen embryotransfer (FET). Although there was a suggestion that tubal factors were more common in those with ectopic pregnancies, the difference did not reach statistical significance. No relationship existed with regard to the ovarian stimulation regimen, the dosage/ duration of human menopausal gonadotrophin used, the details of embryo transfer and number of embryos transferred. Patients who develop ectopic pregnancies after IVF can be counselled that they have a good chance of achieving a normal pregnancy with subsequent attempts.