IVF cycle round 2, how many embryos?

[Holiday36]

Hello. I am new to this website.

I have had one failed round of frozen embryo transfer and about to have my 2nd transfer this week. They only transfer 1 embryo. We questioned if we could have two as financially we are unable to afford to go again. The clinic are saying its not recommended due to the risk of multiples. I've read other stories that people have said it is fine. Does anyone have any advice? Has anyone been in this position? Thank you.

[waspbeetle]

Hi sorry to hear to hear your first round failed, this isn't uncommon sadly.. 🤞 for your second round......with regards to the number of embryos my understanding is clinics prefer to transfer 1 as there is less risk compared to a multiple pregnancy and also I think this is following the recommendation of the HFEA. However I believe if 40+ they will allow 2 embryos due to the decline in egg quality hence I've had 2 embryos transfered on both my first and now second cycle currently in the tormenting 2ww 🤯 best of luck to you xx

[Holiday36 in reply to waspbeetle]

Thank you we went with one transfer in the end. Oh I have everything crossed for you. The wait is hard. Good luck and I wish you all the best xx

[IVFmumma]

So sorry to hear about your failed transfer. All my fingers crossed for your next one this week 🙏🏻 we were told transferring 2 doesn't double your chances (still don't quite get that logic but it's what we have been told by the specialists) so the clinic defaults to transfer one only. Unless you are over 40 then I think you get to increase that. I have just had my 4th failed single transfer though and I have discussed with them transferring 2 next round and they would allow it. Maybe depends on history of transfer etc and also if they are PGS tested I think they just allow one. Mine aren't tested. Good luck and I hope your next one is "the one" 🙏🏻🙏🏻✨✨

[Fudge1980]

My feeling after our cycle when I got 2 blasts was to transfer both. Our clinic said they don’t recommend it but they are our embryos and our choice! Glad we only transferred one as it ended in a chemical and the next one was our BFP. I was in a much better place mentally and physically for our second transfer. Good luck in what you decide 🤞🏼💗

[Lana2009]

Hi there,

I’m so sorry to hear about your failed round. It’s such a tough journey! The chances of single fet working are annoyingly small, which is why it always takes a few rounds. Even in a perfect cycle chances are only 40%

Re the number of embryos - my clinic wouldn’t recommend 2 transferred but we were ready to give up on our 4th attempt and requested a double embryo transfer (I’m 37, i think you do have to be over 35 or so for them to do it, but if check). It took our chances with donor eggs and good quality embryos from 40-58% chance of achieving pregnancy. Definitely better, but not double. We had to sign a lot of documents saying we understood the risks and that we were going against the clinic recommendations.

And low and behold, they both stuck! I’m currently 13 weeks pregnant with fraternal twins. I don’t regret our decision but it is much riskier a pregnancy. I have a short cervix so am at risk of loss and very early pre term labour and a the toll on the body is much harder. This is my first pregnancy, I’m 13 weeks and already my hips and back hurt all night. It’s definitely going to be hard.

But, like I said, I don’t regret at all - if I can get them here safely, then I have my family. But it’s not going to be easy. Not to mention having two infants!!

It is a big decision. I would definitely say think about how you would feel if you ended up with two or more! I mean they could both split too!

But whatever you decide, I’m wishing you all the sticky luck with your next fet!

Xxx

[Holiday36 in reply to Lana2009]

Thank you. We went with one in the end. Congratulations to you all the best. x

[MofM]

As Lana2009 above, we had a lot of single transfers (I did not want to risk twins due to the high risk for their and my health) until three doctors at three different clinics told us that in our case finding one that worked was already a miracle, leave alone two (I am 38yo and my partner has very high DNA fragmentation). So we did 3 DET transfers, 2 failed and the last one is my current (and hopefully progressing) twin pregnancy.

I am happy and I will have done the same 1000 times, absolutely no regrets, but it is very stressful, also because a problem in one of the twins may mean an early delivery also for the other -- plus a lot of other things that I am not willing to contemplate yet, including the strength of my cervix 😱, having two infants 😱😱 and their costs 😱😱😱

[Holiday36 in reply to MofM]

Thank you. We went with one in the end. Congratulations and all the best for you and your babies xx

[JA-fnuk Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Holiday36Twins may seem like a good idea however multiple pregnancy and birth may present added risks to both mum & babies - for more info on single egg transfer go to fertilitynetworkuk.org - access menu -learn about fertility- scroll to fertility factsheets then pick Single Embryo Transfer for Patients

Thinking of you

Janet

[Holiday36 in reply to JA-fnuk]

Thank you. We went with one in the end. x