NHS Double embryo transfer - in what ... - Fertility Network UK

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NHS Double embryo transfer - in what circumstances?

MakingbabyN profile image
39 Replies

Hi all

I’m eagerly awaiting my FET and have 3 blasts in the freezer- a 2BB a 3BB and a 4CC.

I know the first two are considered “good” quality but not excellent and the third is poor quality.

I wouldn’t want to have just the 4CC transferred alone, would prefer it with another.

In what circumstances do the NHS allow double transfers? I know they are generally reluctant. This will be my first transfer after a freeze all.

Thanks in advance! X

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MakingbabyN
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39 Replies
Ivfgotadream profile image
Ivfgotadream

Virtually impossible to get a double transfer on the NHS especially if the clinic is per of any NHS hospital. And also zero chance of this is your first transfer.

You might be able to get one if you are an NHS patient being treated at a private clinic though under certain circumstances .....although I know a few are restricting them at the mo due to covid and almost none will agree if it’s yours first transfer unless you are in your 40s

Also I wouldn’t transfer a CC with a BB - there is some evidence that suggests that the transfer is more likely to fail if you transfer 2 embryos of very different quality as the body puts all its effort into the weaker one and ignores the better one.

I transferred a BA with a BB and both stuck and I have twins but We also paid for time lapse footage and the embryologist reviewed the hours of footage and said these 2 bear complemented each other so a lot of science/expertise went into choosing which 2 to transfer together

MakingbabyN profile image
MakingbabyN in reply toIvfgotadream

Thank you, that’s what I thought. X

Littlepeax profile image
Littlepeax in reply toMakingbabyN

I had a double transfer through my NHS hospital after my first failed transfer! It ended in chemical but the NHS did it when I was 32 x

ray_of_sunshine_ profile image
ray_of_sunshine_

We were offered a double transfer.

Our treatment was NHS funded at a clinic part of a NHS hospital. My acupuncturist who sees a lot of local patients going through IVF said that was very unusual. I don’t know if it was due to my age (I’m 39) or maybe the fact that my husband has previously had a serious illness and the strong medication he was given can affect fertility.

MakingbabyN profile image
MakingbabyN in reply toray_of_sunshine_

Thank you, I’m definitely working on the basis that it will be one out back. Xx

KHC39 profile image
KHC39

I had double transfer under NHS on my first attempt. They take into consideration age, egg quality etc. Unfortunately it didn’t work so I’m due FET with my remaining frozen embryo this month.

MakingbabyN profile image
MakingbabyN in reply toKHC39

That’s interesting, thanks. Good luck with your transfer xxx

Solly-44 profile image
Solly-44

Hi,

We were allowed a double transfer on the NHS for our 3rd go. They said they based it on my age and embryo quality (they were pretty good grades but also not excellent, and when we started I was 36 - I’m a few years older now 😂).

I have a friend treated under the same CCG & the same clinic - she’s younger than me but their embryos were less good quality and they were offered a double transfer straight away. They are definitely happy to transfer 2 on the NHS but are also under a lot of pressure to bring down multiple birth rates (so my consultant told me) so it’s a balancing act for everyone involved. I’d say you’re less likely to be offered a double transfer with those grades on your first go xx

MakingbabyN profile image
MakingbabyN in reply toSolly-44

Thank you! Xxx

Orla9298 profile image
Orla9298

I got my first ever nhs transfer was a double transfer ages 32 or 33, (can’t remember!) so it’s definitely possible. But I think those embryos must have been so rubbish that they were willing! My private clinic were also happy to transfer my last 3 embryos age 34 or 35 but again they weren’t great. (Only the 3rd one was pretty poor).

BUT, our successful transfer was a 3BB single transfer and it was a success - after a 5BB fail. So I really wouldn’t think too hard about the 4CC alone - hopefully one of your BBs will be successful first!x

MakingbabyN profile image
MakingbabyN in reply toOrla9298

Thanks so much. I have heard lots of success stories from 3BBs so I’m keeping the faith 🙏🏻🙏🏻 Xxxx

Orla9298 profile image
Orla9298 in reply toMakingbabyN

3BBs seem to have great success rates! honestly! It’s like a random little pocket of grade that seems to be successful for so many when their higher grades fail. X

sunset212 profile image
sunset212 in reply toOrla9298

This gives me lots of hope, i have three embryos at grade 3BB i was 35 when they were created so hopefully one sticks! Did you have a boy or girl? x

Orla9298 profile image
Orla9298 in reply tosunset212

We have a baby girl on the way, 15 weeks and 4 days via gestational surrogate 💝

MakingbabyN profile image
MakingbabyN in reply toOrla9298

Congratulations ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Xxx

sunset212 profile image
sunset212 in reply toOrla9298

Aw congrats, i read a lot that the slower embryos i.e '3' development wise are girls, did you? xx

Orla9298 profile image
Orla9298 in reply tosunset212

No I never heard that! Oooh we have another 3BB left 😂

Savs profile image
Savs

Most don’t let you unless it your third attempt or you’re 40+ Good luck x

Nat246 profile image
Nat246

I had a double transfer on my first NHS attempt due to poor quality at age 31. It seems it’s more common than some think as many people have posted here they had double transfer with nhs. Good luck when you reach transfer!

sunset212 profile image
sunset212 in reply toNat246

Hi Nat246 do you remember the grades of your double transfer? x

sunset212 profile image
sunset212

There is evidence to suggest transferring any poorer grade with a good grade embryo lowers your chance significantly!! It is always better to transfer a good quality embryo alone or together with another good quality embryo i.e 3bb and 3bb together. Given these two are good quality and more expanded one of these at a time will likely be the protocol. Double embryo transfers are usually only considered to patients over 38 where several cycles or transfers have failed or there is a higher chance of the embryos not hatching due to older age ( 37+) otherwise i would just transfer a 3bb at a time. I have 3bb embryos in the freezer too ( i have three of these) they were created when i was 35 years old and i certainly won't be considering a double transfer. Twin pregnancies come with much higher risks for both mother and baby. Best wishes x

MakingbabyN profile image
MakingbabyN in reply tosunset212

Thank you. When are you hoping to have your transfer? X

sunset212 profile image
sunset212 in reply toMakingbabyN

Hi MakingbabyN... I will be transferring first week in March on a natural FET fingers crossed as i am due to start my menstrual cycle next week xx

MakingbabyN profile image
MakingbabyN in reply tosunset212

Amazing, we should keep in touch because I’ll be a couple of weeks behind you. I think towards the end of March for my natural FET xxx

sunset212 profile image
sunset212 in reply toMakingbabyN

We should we can be cycle buddies :)

sunset212 profile image
sunset212 in reply toMakingbabyN

I rang my clinic yesterday as it was my first day of bleeding have to wait couple of days to a week to hear when I need to come in for scan to check growth of lining in middle of cycle how do your clinic work it when you ring do you have to wait for a call off them too for a book in scan date? ... hate this waiting bit Lol x

AMFB profile image
AMFB

Hello,

I'm just in my 2WW and it's my 2nd attempt (both on NHS). First time I was offered double transfer due to poor quality of embryos, however second time they were excellent and I was still offered a choice of 1 or 2. I'm 35 if that helps. I think if you don't ask you don't get 😉

MakingbabyN profile image
MakingbabyN in reply toAMFB

Good luck for your 2WW! Xx

sunset212 profile image
sunset212 in reply toAMFB

Best wishes for your 2ww too! My embies were created when I was 35 too :) Im a bit older than that now due to covid happening. Ooh imagine twins 😃Xx

AMFB profile image
AMFB

Thank you 😊 xx

JustAGirl21 profile image
JustAGirl21

Hi, I’ve had double put back twice on the nhs. I requested double both times and they agreed (egg quality is okay and I’m 36). I think they only agreed due to multiple failures before. I’m hopefully going to have 2 put back this time too x

sunset212 profile image
sunset212 in reply toJustAGirl21

When do you transfer? Are you on a natural or medicated ?x

JustAGirl21 profile image
JustAGirl21 in reply tosunset212

Medicated, my transfer was yesterday x

sunset212 profile image
sunset212 in reply toJustAGirl21

Aww best of luck Justagirl21! Keeping toes fingers crossed for you xx I transfer around 4th March, a 3bb

JustAGirl21 profile image
JustAGirl21 in reply tosunset212

Thank you. Good luck with your transfer x

Peanutchips profile image
Peanutchips

I was offered a double transfer on the NHS after my first transfer had failed at age 34. It might have been because we had done 6 rounds of clomid as well with them which hadn’t worked either. We did a private FET for our second go (due to Covid) and they recommended just one embryo. After this ended in a mc, for our 3rd FET our private clinic suggested we try two embryos. It’s still early days but they both stuck (which was a complete surprise because I really didn’t expect that to happen to us!) Good luck! Xx

Btw one of mine was a 3BB 😊

MakingbabyN profile image
MakingbabyN in reply toPeanutchips

Amazing, congratulations! Another trusty 3BB 🤞🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 Xxx

sunset212 profile image
sunset212 in reply toPeanutchips

Aw that’s amazing! I’m excited too because my transfer end of the month/early March is also a 3BB. I see quite a lot of successes on this embryo grade. It seems a lucky charm. Wishing you a happy 7-8 months pregnancy left xx

sunset212 profile image
sunset212

When do you transfer? Med or natural FET? X

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