More not always better with fertility treatments

LOS ANGELES — More tries aren't necessarily better when it comes to fertility treatments.

A new study finds that about 1 in 3 women had a baby the first time they tried in vitro fertilization. That improved to nearly 1 in 2 with a second try. However, a third attempt boosted success rates very little and leveled off with subsequent tries.

In vitro fertilization involves mixing egg and sperm in a laboratory dish. The resulting embryo is then transferred into the womb to grow into a baby. Doctors say the new study gives a good national snapshot. But individuals should consider their own circumstances when deciding on more treatments.

Results were presented Wednesday at a reproductive medicine meeting in Denver.