Should I transfer after first cycle

[Holliebx]

Hi Lovelies

I just wanted some advice . Iv literally just finished my first ever ivf cycle and managed to retrieve 21 eggs which we were so over the moon with 🥰 15 fertilised via icis , and we ended up with 9 embryos ready to be frozen . We also had 4 of these tested for PGT so awaiting these results.

My question is , I have currently paid for a 3 cycle egg retrieval in the hope to bank enough eggs .

But with this number of eggs , would I just opt to transfer ?? And would you usually get re-imbursed the money back we’ve paid so far ?

I’m so new to all do this and it’s so overwhelming , not knowing what to do for the best .

Any advice much appreciated ❤️✨

[p226]

Hi Holliebx, going for a transfer is a personal choice based on how much yourbody can take and your financial situation. In my opinion if you have 9 good embryos why would you want to go through the hell of simulations and retrievals if you have a slightest chance to get pregnant by using even 1 of the 9 good embryos in different FET cycles. Financials works differently with different clinics but do ask them if your two remaining pick up can be done after your ET in case that fails using the money you have already paid. If you do end up getting pregnant before then you will not care for the reimbursement anyway

[Holliebx in reply to p226]

Thank you so much for your reply ❤️ and yes your totally right, having to put my body through all the stims again is what I’m trying to avoid especially if there is a chance with these 9 embryos 🤞 xxx

[p226 in reply to Holliebx]

On a positive note - A good friend of mine did a few cycles and collected 10 genetically tested blastocyst before her transfers and she ended up getting pregnant with the first two and is donating the rest 8... I really hope it works out for you - all the best !!

[Jumpppy]

Do you have a diagnosis? Was there a reason you didn't test all of the embryos (i.e. were some not high enough quality to test)? Were your previous M/Cs tested (was it embryo or uterus)? Is there a reason why you decided to bank initially (was it a slick sales job by the clinic or are there concerns-9 embryos seems like a lot and the clinic would have likely had a close estimate of your probable production vs probable pregnancy rates when discussing banking)? In an ideal world would you want siblings? Would you feel some kind of way about having embryos you don't use?These questions may help you make a decision.

Keep in mind that the reason why people go down the banking route typically is because they want to do all the work on the front end at age "X" and then be done. There are benefits to this. My advice is consider worst case scenario if you don't bank and judge your level of comfort (or if you'd have regrets). I planned to bank when I first started at 36 and got talked out of it (and it took first time) - I regretted it later at 39 when I was on the IVF train anew for a sibling. I've known many to start early enough but end up quite old with many rounds because they exhausted their transfers each round rather than banking.

Some timings to consider. For example, if God forbid you have a M/C it could take 6-9mos from that transfer before you are ready to transfer again. If you have a medicated SET (single embryo transfer), typically it is 2-3mos between transfers (assuming they don't implant), so it may take 2-3 yrs to go through 9 embryos. So if the 9 don't work or you want siblings and say 1/9 work you'll be much older.

Having personally banked I can say you get into a groove with it and looks like they got your protocol right, so there won't be any guessing/adjusting if you continue now.

Hard decision...in a good way. Good luck!

[Holliebx in reply to Jumpppy]

Oh wow thank you so much for all this advice , honestly I think you’ve given me more support with that message then most of the doctors I have seen 🤦🏻‍♀️❤️

Everything you have said has given me so much to think about .

Iv had all my pre-tests with recurrent misscarriage clinic and a few private test eg NK cells, and all came back unknown infertility , after my 9th failed pregnancy I was advised to maybe look into genetic testing as all pregnancies end within first couple of weeks .

They originally said with my high miscarriage rate , banking embryos would be a good option .

We only tested 4 this round as they were the only ones strong enough to biopsy , so i suppose the results from them 4 might be able to identify if there was a genetic issue . I know we will never probably get the real answer to our recurrent miscarriages but trying everything possible 🤞

I think your totally right about maybe doing all the pre work now whilst I’m still this end of 30s , so you’ve given me lots to think about .

Thank you again for all the information and wishing you so much luck on your journey too 🤞 xxxxx

[minnesota_girl]

Hi Hollie, I think 9 embryos is a fantastic result and you have some great chances for FET without having to do more stims!

Often banking is done if there's less likelihood to get a high number of eggs (btw 21 is high and 9 blastocysts from that is amazing!!) Or if the woman is older (eg over 40). I'm 42 and I have to admit if I had 9 i would think about doing FETs and getting my money back, unless there's another medical reason that hasn't been outlined here.

Congratulations!!! For reference, I've only ever had 6 of my own eggs and 3 failed cycles and the 4th was a donor cycle with my sister's eggs and she had 21 but we only ended up with 3 blastocysts frozen so you've had such a fantastic result and I wish you all the best with your transfers whatever you decide 💕