How do you decide whether you transfer 1 or 2 embies?

[destiny121]

Just after a bit of advice, we have 4 embies frozen... 2 5a grades and 2 4bb. Ive consented to having 2 transferred but slightly back tracking. Ive read so much on the risks and feeling a bit scared. What factors did uou base you decisions on? Xx

[Gillyc1]

I asked this question so if you look at my old posts you will see all the replies. My daughter decided on 2 embies transferred. Only one took and she is now 10 weeks pregnant. Thank goodness she did have 2 transferred because we will never know which one succeeded xx

[destiny121 in reply to Gillyc1]

Hi gilly, just read your post and ive decided with 2. Also, did your daughter have a medicated or natural frozen transfer?? X

[Gillyc1 in reply to destiny121]

Hers was actually a fresh cycle. She knew by day 5 that there would at the most only be 2 left so they just went for it. 100% the right decision for them xx

[destiny121 in reply to Gillyc1]

Ahh ok....Xx

[cryst4l]

Hi Destiny. I think its usually a personal decision along with advice from the fertility dr with how many you transfer. I transferred 2 embryos in my fet earlier this week due to my endometriosis condition, my age (now 38) and the dr suggesting that if we put 2 back in, chances of 1 implantimg out of the 2 will be better for me. I think everyones circumstances are different. I have a friend who has a baby via ivf and is looking to do fet this xmas with her embies in the freezer. She has opted to put back in only 1 embryo because she doesnt think she could cope with a 1 year old and the possibility of having twins. I hope that helps. Good luck with what you decide xx

[destiny121 in reply to cryst4l]

Its such a hard decision... but i think as this is my 2nd go on the nhs ive got to give it a try xx

[Hidden]

We had a failed fresh transfer in February. I had a FET in April. I am now almost 8 weeks pregnant. I opted for one embryo transfer. For me, the risks of a twin pregnancy were just not worth it at this stage. I think if this transfer had failed I would go for two next time as we had enough in the freezer. I am 37. My husband was a bit keener on 2 but left it up to me. When you look at the stats, the success rate for pregnancy (not live births) are only a tiny bit higher - although does depend a bit on your age. It’s a very personal choice. One of my friends had twins recently and it has been a lot to take on. If you go for two, you have to be prepared for a twin pregnancy. Good luck.

[abcgirl]

I echo the advice above. What does your clinic advise?

Mine encouraged a single transfer because of my age (34) and since it was only my first frozen transfer (as in I didn’t have a number of repeated failures only one previous failed fresh). We had 5 frozen embryos so for me, I was prepared to keep trying a few times and didn’t want the risk of twins. If you transfer two, would it make sense to transfer a 5aa and 4bb? But their quality has no bearing on their success so you never know. I guess it’s more if you transfer both 5aa and it doesn’t work, then emotionally it might be harder. I felt really sad after my failed fresh just what the thought that my top grade embryo didn’t make it and it felt like it was lost unnecessarily.

[destiny121]

Yes i know what you mean... i had my fresh with a 5a embryo but that failed, they put this down to have fluid in my tubes so i had an operation to remove that tube.... so i guess this will be the first time having a transfer without having an actual problem.... my clinic didnt really advise me and just said yes to 2.... dh wants us to go with 2 as well so wil have to wait and see xx

[Sarah_S]

I had 2 fresh transferred but I only had 2 and one was lower quality and probably wouldn't have made it to freeze. Now 11 weeks with a single pregnancy. I think if I had some frozen I would choose just 1 to transfer though. You've got the backup of the others, for future cycles or siblings, and no reason to take the risk it seems other than money maybe? Fet will be cheaper than a fresh cycle though. It's such a tough decision xx

[destiny121 in reply to Sarah_S]

Thanks for your response.... ive asked the clinic to thaw all 4 and select the best 2 for transfer.... do you think is silly!

I chose to do this because it will be my 2nd go on nhs and if it fails i would only have the lower quality embryos left for a final transfer and would have to use them for my final go. I was thinking if this fails, then at least i could do a fresh cycle again and have some to freeze for consequent cycles which i could afford to do... what are your thoughts?

[Sarah_S in reply to destiny121]

Ah ok, I didn't realise you had another nhs cycle left as well after this, that does change things. I guess I'm coming from the point of view of having low ovarian reserve, so frozen embies to me are a luxury I never had and I'd want to keep them and have one thawed at a time! But if you respond well to fresh cycles then that's not so important either. Sounds like what you have chosen to do gives you the best chance for this cycle. Very best of luck! xx

[Hidden]

Have a chat with your embryologist about thawing all 4. I would have thought that they can thaw them one at a time to see and then adjust transfer if needed. Seems a shame that you have such good quality embryos to defrost them all. That way you have some on ice if this cycle works and you want future children! Xx

[Lizzielizzielizzie]

I was rather heavily influenced by the oneatatime website so decided I wouldn’t want to risk a twin pregnancy. In the end I didn’t have the choice anyway. I think your age is a factor also cost of transfers.

[Kari55]

Very hard decision but I would probably listen to the embryologist and your doctor’s advice. He would take into consideration your age, previous cycles history and the quality of the embryo. Last time I decided to have 1 transferred even though I was advised to put 2 back due to average quality. I should have transferred 2 then although I don’t think it would make any difference anyway. If we do IVF again I will make a decision based on the embryo quality but I must admit, I don’t feel comfortable about making the decision to transfer two. A single transfer is the safest for the woman and baby whereas double transfer can potentially have serious consequences. Sometimes you just have to take the risk and hope for the best. Good luck xx