Thoughts on transferring 2 different grade embryos

[Solly-44]

Hi all,

We recently had a cycle fail using 1 x 4AB embryo. We’re lucky enough to have a few in the freezer but this was our best grade.

For our next round we’ve decided to go for double trouble! I’ve heard mention that some clinics don’t like to transfer 2 embryos of different grades but can’t find much about this online.

I’ll speak to my dr when our next appointment finally rolls around, but in the meantime was wondering if anyone had any experience or thoughts on this?

Thanks x

[Hidden]

Hi there, I don’t have any advice but I’m really interested in some replies.

We had a BFN with our 4AB Frozen Blastocyst in February. We have two poorer quality blastocysts left and I’m planning on transferring them both (if my lining manages to thicken). My clinic isn’t keen on me transferring both as they are different grades but they’ve said it’s ultimately up to me. Good luck to you 💕 xxx

[Solly-44 in reply to Hidden]

Sorry about your bfn 😔.

Sounds just like us, I had huge lining issues with my clomid cycles too but wasn’t as bad for the ivf. It’s so frustrating so I hope you get there soon!

As they’ve said it’s up to you, what do you think you’ll go for or are you still deciding? Xx

[Hidden in reply to Solly-44]

We are still deciding but I am leaning more towards transferring them both - if they survive the thaw xxx

[Solly-44 in reply to Hidden]

Ah good luck with it, will be sending you positive thoughts! 🙏

[Hidden in reply to Solly-44]

Same to you! I’ll be sending positivity to you too 🤗😘 xxx

[whitneyarmand]

My doctor doesnt, under any circumstances transfer 2 different grade embryo. it has something to do with our body directing all the blood flow to the weaker embryo and ignore the stronger embryo therefore leading to both embryos failing. Theres a few studies about this online if you look... good luck with everything

[Solly-44 in reply to whitneyarmand]

Thank you, that’s good to know. I’d only heard vague mention of it before so it’s helpful to find some firm beliefs on it!

Good luck with everything too x

[Hidden in reply to whitneyarmand]

I’ve heard of this too and read some articles on it. Our consultant said that this is really new and evidence is limited. We don’t know what to do as we’ve had three transfers in total with only one BFP that resulted in ectopic xxx

[MissSaoPaulo]

We transferred a 4ab and 4bc together - suggestion of Dr and of embryologist. I have seen talk about not transferring different grades of embryos, as mentioned above, but I wonder if it applies more to when there is a big difference between quality? I don't really understand embryo grading but I don't think there was a great deal of difference between my two, so maybe that's why they were happy to go ahead? Also, I'm 39 and in good health, which are other factors in deciding to transfer 2. Anyway, one of them stuck, no way to know which, so it worked out well for us Best of luck with your next transfer xxx

[Solly-44 in reply to MissSaoPaulo]

🥰 Ah that’s brilliant news, congratulations!

It’s good to have a few different perspectives. I always find I’m thinking of questions I should have asked after my appointment so am trying to go in prepared this time!

We’re lucky enough to some the same grade, but it’s a toss up between using those 2, or our better one with a lower grade if that makes sense. Xx

[MissSaoPaulo in reply to Solly-44]

Good luck with your double trouble!! We thought for a while both of ours had stuck - the hCG level on test day was over 4,000!! Financially, it would have been a struggle to have twins and we don't have a great deal of support around us, family are all far away, so it was a bit of a relief to be honest when the scan showed only one. Good luck with whatever you decide, hope you've got all your questions noted down for your next appt!! xxx

[jenny34]

Hi all, interesting to hear all your thoughts. My understanding is that this is not advised- theguardian.com/science/201...

That said, with our first fet, we were told that the embryo they had thawed was "unlikely to result in a pregnancy" (it had not thawed well). So we asked if we could put it back with the next one , which thawed fine. We had not planned to put two back but.... anyway our daughter from that cycle is now a happy healthy 4 year old.

I Hope all these replies help; such a difficult decision!!

Good luck xxxxx

[Hidden in reply to jenny34]

Wow that’s amazing news! I think I’ll wait until they thaw one and see what they advise from there. Our two blastocysts are both lower quality. 2BB and 3BC xxx

[jenny34 in reply to Hidden]

Absolutely. My treatment was nearly 5 years ago and new studies are being done all the time. That article is 2 years old itself. I would hope that consultants are the most updated of us all with the most recent evidence. Wishing everyone lots of luck and sending love xxx

[Solly-44 in reply to jenny34]

Thanks for posting this - it’s an interesting read. Lots of food for thought!

I’m becoming more inclined to go for my 2 slightly lower but same grade embryos than the better one.

Congrats to you too, it’s always reassuring and encouraging to hear success stories 😊 xx

[Running79]

I was told it is dependent on your age - over 35 they don’t like doing double egg transfer, although when I was getting ready for my FET I was asked if I wanted both my blastocysts used and I’m 39. I said no I’ll stick with one.

Someone I know who now has a 3 yr old son , on her third go did a double egg transfer and it took (don’t know what grade her eggs were) and that was after two previous goes with 1 egg each time

[Solly-44 in reply to Running79]

Yeah, they recommended 1 for our first try (I’m 37) which we went with. Dr said he’d also recommend 1 for our 2nd try but said if we panicked we can go for 2. I’m panicking so that’s looking likely! X

[Hidden]

I had three embryos put back all different grades and got a BFP! I’ve never heard that before.

Sadly things weren’t meant to be but that’s nothing to do with the embryo grading

Masses of luck xx

[Solly-44 in reply to Hidden]

Wow 3! Ah I’m so sorry it didn’t work out for you that time. Best of luck with your next steps xx