Speculum retention during embryo transfer does not improve pregnancy rates following embryo transfer - a randomized study

Purpose: To corroborate or refute two previous studies that suggested that a technique using prolonged speculum retention may improve pregnancy rates per embryo transfer. Methods: Women undergoing day 3 embryo transfer were randomly assigned to the conventional transfer technique vs the speculum retention technique. The speculum retention technique involves following the embryo transfer not to withdraw the speculum but to loosen the screw in order to exert gentle pressure on the portiovaginalis of the cervix and leave it in for seven minutes. Results: Clinical and viable pregnancy rates following the standard technique were 48.9% and 44.4%, respectively, vs 43.8% and 37.5% with the speculum retention technique. The implantation rates were also similar -37.6% vs 37.5%. Conclusions: This study was unable to corroborate the benefit of speculum retention in order to improve pregnancy rates per transfer.