Number of embryos transferred - Fertility Network UK

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Number of embryos transferred

Kepn17 profile image
18 Replies

Hi,

I'm starting my first nhs icsi in January and wanted to know what experiences others have had when transferring embryos. We have been told we are likely to have good grade eggs so they are strongly suggesting to put 1 back in but we can discuss further at the time the possibility of 2. I am not sure who has the ultimate decision around number of embryos, is it us or the consultant?

Look forward to hearing other experiences and outcomes.

Thanks x

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Kepn17 profile image
Kepn17
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18 Replies
Kattalex profile image
Kattalex

Ultimately- you! Go with what you feel is best! 🍀🍀🍀🍀

The decision is yours but the professionals will advice and guide you. I had two put back on our 5th try and had to sign a few forms to say I was aware of the risks etc xx

Amanda86 profile image
Amanda86

My clinic would only transfer 1 unless you were over a certain age which I think might have been 36+.

When going through my treatments they never allowed us a choice, if we had had poor quality embryos I’m not sure if this might have changed but I do remember at our initial meeting discussing that they usually advice 1 when under 36?

Good luck xxx

I was advised one because of my age and that they were hopeful of a positive result which I did get a miscarried.

On my second go they did say I could go for two but we decided to stick to one as it worked before.

Good luck xx

sanchia46 profile image
sanchia46 in reply to

How did it go for you the second time?

in reply to sanchia46

BFP and now 32 weeks pregnant

sanchia46 profile image
sanchia46 in reply to

Ahh as I had a miscarriage the first time so going for a single transfer next month. Did you do anything differently second time around??

Kepn17 profile image
Kepn17

Thank you for all your advice xx

klh386 profile image
klh386

We were advised one, and boy am I glad that's what we did. Our embryo split into twins! But of course everyone's case is different. Your doctor will advise you xx

Cinderella5 profile image
Cinderella5

We got strongly advised 1. By that I mean we got a massive lecture about the risk of multiple pregnancy, risk of miscarriage with multiple pregnancy, premature birth etc. I asked "so we aren't allowed 2" and the embryologist said "ultimately it was our decision". Felt a bit pushy actually! We had already decided we would transfer 2 if we had that many which we did. Good luck!xx

E_05 profile image
E_05

My first cycle I had 1 transferred, for my 2 FET’s I had 2 transferred and both cycles unsuccessful. This cycle they would only transfer one due to the quality of the blastocyst and their worry around twins. Ultimately I would say it’s their decision but they will work with you xx

emmab178 profile image
emmab178

We were strongly advised on one as i have a history of twins on the maternal line. also a twin pregnancy is more high risk. So we had one put in and one frozen.

It's going to be a decision done on the day of transfer depending on how the embryos have done. For example if you only have one embryo then it's a mute point. If you have two lower quality embryos not suitable for freezing then the embryologist will advise x

Coracle profile image
Coracle

This is a very individual decision weighing up risks etc. For me personally, I would go with the consultant/embryologist advice. Reason being, I would not like a high risk of multiple birth as worried about risks to the babies.. Personally, I think I love the idea of twins, but am very concerned about the risk of complications or being premature, things that the baby might have to live with all their life; being handicapped in some way, eg cerebral palsy or learning difficulty, or even not make it. The risks of these things are small, but I would find that hard to live with, when it is much safer to have babies one at a time. I am going again for donor eggs this year, and would plan for one at a time.. although it is very tempting to ask for two.

Interestingly there is recent research suggesting there is more chance overall of getting pregnant if you do it one embryo at a time.. the reason is thought to be that if you have two put back, and one embryo has a problem.. it sends out signals that means the 'good one' is less likely to implant...

the 'one at a time' website is not working, but there is facts on multiple births from hfea here. I would read up on the facts then make your decision. Best wishes x

hfea.gov.uk/about-us/our-ca...

Dunla profile image
Dunla

I think most clinics will go for single embryo transfer, think it’s preferable to avoid multiples pregnancy. Having said that, for my 2nd ICSI cycle which happened to be my NHS go, I had two put back. I was 35 at the time. Wishing you the very best of luck in the New Year as you start your treatment x

It depends on your age as to whether you get the choice to put two back. You can decide on the day or the day before when you know the grades.

I always thought I’d only have one out back but having been told my other embryo wasn’t a high enough grade to freeze, I opted to put two back rather than have the other one die in the lab. I think it’s very hard to make a final decision without knowing about the grades and numbers of embryos you have.

sanchia46 profile image
sanchia46

As you’ve read it depends on a lot of different factors. I went abroad and most clinics abroad push you to have two. You’ll find in the uk they prefer one. I did one as I’m not keen on twins but it’s a personal choice.

Saya85 profile image
Saya85

It also depends if it’s nhs funded? Some CCGs demand only one be transferred for women of certain age.

We were told one because of nhs funding but also because of age and quality embryo. Unfortunately it didn’t work but I think you have to decide for yourself on your individual circumstances

Laura_Jane1983 profile image
Laura_Jane1983

Hi I had icsi done on nhs. They recommended only having 1 transferred back in for us too. We had a 5 day transfer and only 3 made it, on the morning of transfer we had 2x B grades then just before transfer one changed to grade C. I'm happy to say our 1 good egg gave us a Beautiful, healthy baby boy. ❤ he was 2 last month 🎉 good luck I hope you'e as lucky as us.

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