Multiple cycles - are all collections performed prior to transfers?

[Orangeflowers]

Hi all,

If my current NHS funded cycle doesn't work, then I am considering a multiple cycle private package (2 cycles are offered for over 40s at my clinic - Leeds Fertility which would be preferable, but I think I might be able to get a 3 cycle package elsewhere). My question is whether all collections are taken at the start, followed by subsequent transfers once these are 'banked'. This would be preferable due to time sensitivity and collecting the best quality eggs as soon as possible. Also, I'm thinking that the cycles & transfers will take quite a long time to work through (as I think a 1 bleed 'recovery' period is required between each transfer); also worried that things might close down again due to covid.

Thanks

[Cinderella5]

Clinics will have their own protocols and whether they allow banking etc. It may be worth dropping the places that you are looking at to ask the question.xx

[Italy300618]

If you do a multi package you have to have a fresh cycle then use all frozen embryos before starting another fresh cycle. I believe that some of the mild and natural ivf clinics do a process where you can "bank" your embryos after several collections xx

[Tigr]

I would see after the first cycle. If you have great quality and a few frozen ones, you might want to go for FETs (in case the fresh one fails). My fresh cycle embryo did not stick and the frozen ones are rather average. Because of age, ideally aiming for 2 children at some point and Covid delays, we decided to go for another fresh cycle now and bank more embryos (hopefully) instead of the planned FET. Clinic left me the choice but were more pro FET before Covid-related delays kicked in.

[Orangeflowers]

Thanks all, so far I've made some enquiries and the 2 cycle packages I've found don't allow batching at 41

Thinking of looking into freezing as COVID is making things seem risky

[Ivfgotadream]

I did a 3 cycle package of natural modified modified IVF which enabled me to cycle back to back - ie no break in between - egg collection in January and Then again in February and would have gone straight into 3rd and final on in March If it hadn’t been for Covid so ended up doing it in June

It was intense at times but glad I did it as this took us to 5 cycles in total in 18 months and I wanted it over with as no more IVF after this and couldn’t stand thought Of dragging 3 cycles over the space of a year .

I banked embryos from cycles 1 and 2 and then they were all reviewed together by the embryologist who reviewed time lapse footage and chose the best 2 to put back

To be honest I think it made all the difference rather than rushing and having no choice but to transfer whatever was available after each egg collection - Better to look at them as a collection to see which was strongest and best quality

(I’m 9 weeks with twins plus 2 further top quality blastocysts in the freezer)

[Orangeflowers in reply to Ivfgotadream]

Congratulations!! 🎉 I hope all goes well for you. What you describe is the option I would like (minus the covid delay of course!) Please can I ask which clinic offers this type of collection and whether it might apply to me at 41? Thanks!

[Ivfgotadream in reply to Orangeflowers]

I’ll PM you as not supposed to mention clinic names x