(MENAFN- Newswire.com LLC) TORONTO, April 30, 2019 (Newswire.com) - ​​​​While it is often the case that parents celebrate the news of a multiple pregnancy, babies who are twins or triplets have increased health risks and mortality rates. This is why Canadian Fertility Consulting has a Single Embryo Transfer (SET) Policy that has been in place since 2016. Overall, the health of CFC's surrogates, the babies being carried and the mental wellbeing of Intended Parents are the company's top priority. CFC aims to protect all three parties from any risks that are associated with multiples, which is why they continue to stand by their SET Policy.

Many intended parents who are pursuing IVF and surrogacy are excited about the possibility of having a multiple pregnancy because of the associated costs. However, Canadian Fertility Consulting adheres to a strict SET Policy, which has now become the industry standard when it comes to embryo transfers. This is because of how dangerous it is for both the babies and the surrogate to be carrying and giving birth to multiples and also how successful single embryo transfer has become. Babies born in multiples have a greater chance of being born prematurely and suffering greater health implications. By maintaining their SET Policy, Canadian Fertility Consulting aims to protect the health of its surrogates, the babies born through this process and the mental well-being of Intended Parents.

The overall risk of a single baby being born prematurely is only 14%, compared to babies of multiples who face a 65% chance of being born well before their due date. Babies of multiples also face a 57% chance of having a low birth weight, compared to only 9% of single babies who suffer from low birth weight. Of those multiple babies who are being born prematurely, they are also at risk for other issues, such as prolonged hospitalization, intellectual disability, respiratory distress, cerebral palsy, blindness, hearing loss, digestive problems, jaundice, bleeding of the brain, infection and neonatal death.

In addition to the increased health risks infants of multiples face, the surrogate is also placed in a high-risk pregnancy category and may have increased complications during birth. In terms of the Intended Parents, there is added emotional stress when the baby comes early, in terms of logistics, especially if they are traveling internationally. Many Intended Parents of multiples miss the birth and then must spend a prolonged period of time abroad and away from family while the hospital looks after the newborn in the NCU.

Canadian Fertility Consulting's greatest concern is the health and safety of everyone who is involved in this surrogacy journey. Since CFC's SET Policy was put in place in 2016, their surrogate's multiple pregnancy rate sits just under 2%, well below the national average of 9%. Of this 2%, these rare multiple pregnancies occur when the single embryo splits and results in identical twins. In cases where the surrogate is carrying twins, she continues her journey and her health is closely monitored by both us and her medical team to ensure she is well. For Intended Parents who are having twins, CFC provides ongoing support, such as connecting them to a multiple birth association near them and ensuring they have access to a high-risk obstetrician.

Recently, CFC's founder and CEO, Leia Swanberg, made a statement about why the company enforces their SET Policy, and the success they continue to see since it's been put in place. Click here to view her full statement .

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