“PSI Foundation’s support has been pivotal in advancing my research and shaping my career as a clinician-scientist in reproductive medicine.” -Dr. Isabelle Létourneau
About Dr. Isabelle Létourneau
Dr. Isabelle Létourneau is a Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Fellow at the University of Ottawa. Her research focuses on IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) outcomes, recurrent pregnancy loss, and population-based studies using large health registries.
About the Funded Study
As a PSI Resident Research grantee, Dr. Létourneau, alongside research project supervisors Dr. Jenna Gale and Dr. Mark Walker, set out to answer an important question: does a prior cesarean delivery affect fertility outcomes for patients undergoing IVF? Previous research had shown mixed results, and patients and clinicians were in need of clearer evidence.
Using data from more than 7,000 patients in Ontario, the research team compared fertility outcomes between individuals who had previously delivered by cesarean section and those who had a vaginal delivery. Their analysis revealed a consistent pattern: patients with a cesarean history were less likely to achieve successful outcomes across nearly every measure–including pregnancy test results, implantation, ongoing pregnancy, and live birth rates. These trends were most pronounced in patients under the age of 40, and were observed across both frozen-thawed and fresh embryo transfers. The study suggests cesarean delivery may play a role in reducing IVF success, reinforcing findings from earlier studies while also pointing to the need for further research to uncover the biological mechanisms involved.
Impact of the Funded Study
For patients and fertility specialists, these findings can assist in more informed reproductive care decisions. The study emphasizes the importance of considering delivery history when predicting IVF success rates and tailoring treatment plans. It also supports more open, evidence-based discussions with patients who have had or are considering a cesarean delivery, helping them understand the potential long-term implications for fertility.
“Each patient’s story is unique,” says Dr. Létourneau. “The key to improving reproductive health lies in recognizing and understanding the factors that shape their journey—because every decision made today influences the possibilities of tomorrow.”
At the same time, the results highlight the need for more research. Large, multicenter trials could help confirm these associations and identify whether they stem from factors such as cesarean scar defects, changes in uterine blood flow, or pre-existing conditions like endometriosis. The study also demonstrates the value of large-scale data registries such as BORN Ontario and CARTR Plus in producing research that directly informs patient care.
Moving forward, Dr. Létourneau continues to translate these findings into practice by educating clinicians, counseling patients, and collaborating with fertility clinics to integrate delivery history into reproductive care. She also shares her research widely through conferences, publications, and collaborations with advocacy groups to raise public awareness about the link between cesarean delivery and fertility outcomes.
“PSI Foundation’s support has been instrumental in my development as a clinician-scientist, enabling me to pursue research on how prior cesarean delivery can affect IVF outcomes,” says Dr. Létourneau. “This funding provided the opportunity to generate evidence that guides patient counseling and reproductive planning, while also fostering the growth of my academic career and future contributions to reproductive medicine.”
Her ultimate goal is to ensure that research findings lead to meaningful improvements in patient care, helping individuals and families make more informed decisions about reproductive health.
