Embryo transfer - two embryos or one?

[Hannakallas]

Hi all,

I've started thinking and I cannot recall my clinic ever offering to transfer more than one embryo (we do have 3 good quality embryos that reached blastocyst).

Does anyone know if I should've asked to have 2 embryos transferred or is there a reason why they did not offer me a double transfer?

[XOXO13]

Hey,

With my first and second transfer, my consultant advised against a double embryo transfer, mainly due to my age (I’m 30). However, I had my follow up the other day following my second failed transfer and she said we could try a double transfer next time (in March) which surprised me. It’s totally mine and my husbands choice this time and we are undecided as to whether to go for it with four frozen embryos left or stick with a single transfer.

My consultant advised that there is a five percent increase in the chance of implantation with two vs one so we are tempted but also scared to lose two embryos if it doesn’t work.

You could always ask your clinic for their guidance? Xx

[Hannakallas in reply to XOXO13]

Thank you for your response. I've already had the embryo transferred, but I was just wondering.. Will check with them when I speak to them next.

Best of luck for your next transfer xx

[XOXO13 in reply to Hannakallas]

Ah sorry, I misread! Best of luck to you 🤍💫 xx

[Bernie150781]

Hi I can see you have already had your embryo transferred but I was offered two due to my age as I'm 39, I chose to have two but you must also be prepared to actually have two children, only 1 of mine has continued and there is no way of knowing which embryo. I hope this one works out for you and not have to go through all this again but if not you can always ask about two next time and see what they say.

Wishing you all the luck X x

[Ivfgotadream]

Clinics don’t tend to offer up double transfers as an option unless there are specific circumstances ie age (over 40) or if you only have 2 blastocysts and one doesn’t look like it will be good enough to freeze

Clinics have to meet specific targets set by the HFEA to keep multiple pregnancies below the naturally occurring national average....it’s very much if you don’t ask you don’t get. Although covid is being cited as a reason to refuse double transfers at the moment due to impact on NHS and higher risk pregnancies

I specifically requested a double transfer and it was approved on the following basis

- age - I was 37

- not my first transfer - I had 3 failed transfers previously

- financials - we had 4 embryos from embryo banking. By this point we had spent £35k over 5 cycles. We could afford 2 double transfers but not 4 single ones. We were also “done” - I wanted to transfer what we had left and move on with our lives. Financially we could also afford to raise twins

- fit and healthy with no medical concerns

- agreed not to transfer two “aa” grade blastocysts together

- low likelihood of either sticking due to multiple failed transfers, and poor PGS results previously

It’s a very personal decision. As it happens my 4th transfer resulted in my twins (born 3 weeks ago!). Having gone through a twin pregnancy I can see why it is discouraged - the pregnancy was brutal and I ended up giving birth in an emergency at 34 weeks which all 3 of us very nearly didn’t make it. I was in and out of hospital from 28 weeks and on bed rest from 18 weeks. (I’d do it all again in a heartbeat though 🤣!)

[Hannakallas in reply to Ivfgotadream]

Thank you for such a detailed response. Glad to hear you and Twinnies are all good now!!! You’re one very lucky momma xx!!