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New Technology Used First In Mass. Helps Couples Get Pregnant

BOSTON (CBS) -- Technology first used here in Massachusetts is helping couples have a greater chance of getting pregnant.

It's called the Embryoscope and it is now starting to be used across the country.

Toni and Ryan Carlson were losing hope they would have a child. But now, Toni is pregnant and expecting to deliver in January.

Ryan said this is a combination of amazement and relief, while Toni welled up with tears of joy.

They've been dreaming of having a baby since they were married three years ago. Although they are both in their early 30's with no medical problems, they still couldn't get pregnant.

The fertility clinic they went to tried the Embryoscope.

This is a new age incubator that dramatically increases the success rate of fertility treatment.

The first seven successful pregnancies using the Embryoscope were achieved at the Fertility Centers of New England according to Dr. Joseph Hill, the President and CEO.

Dr. Hill believes this machine is a game changer for infertile couples. It allows for continual monitoring of the growing embryo without removing it from a perfectly controlled environment.

Time lapsed cameras allow for embryologists to watch every step as the cells divide.

This means only the strongest embryo, instead of multiple embryos, can be implanted.

"For patients, it allows for the opportunity for them to hopefully have more successful pregnancies, and to also lower the multiple gestation rate which is a big problem," said Dr. Hill.

The Fertility Centers of New England have achieved 144 successful pregnancies using the Embryoscope since the beginning of last year.

They attribute those babies to the better success rate they can now achieve.

"It would probably be 35% versus over 50%, plus our multiple birth rates would be a lot higher without using the Embryoscope," added Dr. Hill.

Fertility treatment is required coverage for larger Massachusetts based companies.

Not all IVF facilities have the Embryoscope, so you have to ask.

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