4 unsuccessful FETs in a row would you do a double transfer next time if you had the option?

[DancingQu33n]

any double transfer experiences? Any pros or cons to consider? Embryos are very similar grading. Have 2 frozen so this would be both chances in one go. Is that a bad thing? We’d be aiming for one to work but accept the possibility of twins. Don’t have to decide immediately but going back and forth on what to do. Me and my partner slightly veering to different options but both open to discussion. Not sure there is a totally right answer but would love opinions. Thanks!

[Endofitall]

I was put off double transfers by Professor Brosens who explained that the endometrium could end up blocking implantation of both embryos based on fact the lower graded or aneuploid will be rejected, this then impacting implantation of the better graded/ euploid embryo.

have you had further investigations for RIF?

[DancingQu33n in reply to Endofitall]

Thank you. Are there any investigations you’d recommend? I’ve not been diagnosed with RIF, I’ve had several miscarriages now which is more likely genetic but untested embryos. The consultant said about issues if there was a disparity between the embryos but that these are pretty much the same. They’ve been very against double transfers in the past but now they’ve suggested it as an option I’m wondering if I should seriously consider it. As if they know our chances aren’t great so we might as well roll the dice?

[Lana89]

Hi lovely I have only ever had double transfers my successful transfer they both implanted but I lost one at 9 weeks but I think if I only put one back that could of been the one I lost so I’m glad I transferred two as I now have a 18 month old

If there both similar grades ones not going to effect the other ones implantation

If you have never done a double transfer I think it would be worth a try

Send you loads of luck with your treatment lovely

X

[DancingQu33n in reply to Lana89]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Sorry you had a loss. Did you find that affected your ongoing pregnancy emotionally or physically? Were yours similar grades?

Congrats on your little one 🤍

[Lana89 in reply to DancingQu33n]

Hi lovely thank you

It did not effect me physically but emotionally I was scared all the way through my pregnancy but most women who have done ivf are because it’s took that much to get pregnant in the first place the last time I was pregnant naturally I was 21 which I lost at 9 weeks the same so fast forward I was now pregnant at 40 and when I lost one of them it was like here we go again I knew it was to good to be true

But thank god the other one was ok

I couldn’t have a d&c so I had to wait for my body to re absorb it so it was still there at my 12 week scan where they called someone else in to check me and was still there again on my gender scan so takes a bit of time to disappear

They where both 4AA

My clinic is in Cyprus they normally put 3 back at once but my coordinator said there as been a lot of triplets so only going to put 2 back

I just thought your a nice girl but I’d be lucky if one stuck don’t think there’s any chance of 3 sticking around so when I found out it was twins it was a shock even tho it didn’t last long

I had a 4AA and a early blastocyst frozen which I have just put back in November and that didn’t work so feel like I have wasted the 4AA putting it back with a lower grade one and wish I would of had 3 put back the first time

My next treatment will start in a couple of months and I have told them if I’m lucky enough to get 3 good blastocyst I want them all back at once this time it’s my last roll of the dice trying for a sibling

I know I’m really lucky for it to have worked last time but I have been on this journey since I was 27 took 3 years for a gp to take me seriously because I already had a child at 16 so got a lot of you have got a child you can have children then when I finally got checked I was 29 both tubes blocked one filled with fluid pcos so started ivf after op on tube at 30 so just feel like fertility as took over my life for a long time so that’s why I have opted for 3 to be transferred again I feel like I will be lucky if one works let alone 3

Sorry for the long reply but if I was you I would try the double your not guaranteed to have twins but one just might stick fingers crossed and if not at least it was worth a try and you can go back to single transfer

I wish you all the luck in the world lovely with your treatment and what ever you decide to do

🤍xx

[JA-fnuk Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hard decision to make and great idea to ask for advice on this forum as it is an excellent source of information & support Meantime take a look at our website fertilitynetworkuk.org "Single Embryo Transfer "

Thinking of you both

Janet-Partner

[DancingQu33n in reply to JA-fnuk]

Thank you. It is a tough one.

I’ve read the resource and it’s very against a double transfer which I know seems to be the norm. Good to read it though so I can try to see all sides. My consultant was very against it too initially but has now said something different. They did discuss risk factors but weighing all those up it align with the emotional, financial aspects I’m just not sure. 🫤

[LovetoZumba]

would question why you’re miscarrying. Did they not test your MC tissue? I wouldn’t do any more transfers until somebody gives you some answers. Have you had bloods done to check for cytokines, killer cells? Have you have uterine cells checked for any infections or dysbiosis? Do you have endo? These are all Q’s I would ask. Everyone blames the embryos…but that’s usually not always the case. Good luck ❤️

[DancingQu33n in reply to LovetoZumba]

Thanks. No they didn’t test it which I’m still annoyed about as I asked. No known endo, I’m having Emma and Alice testing. I had immune tests (can’t remember exact name of everything) but were clear. It’s annoying as they should do all these investigations as standard but feel like you have to push for everything.

[Twiglet2]

I was very for double transfers but kept miscarrying and my consultant mentioned some research that a non viable embryo can affect the implantation and progression of a viable one so I moved back to single transfers. Both my sons were the result of single fully medicated down reg FETs. I do think though of it’s an itch you need to scratch there is defo no right or wrong answer with double transfers for some people it works as it does slightly increase chances of that transfer being positive or even saves time to move on to the next step if it doesn’t and it’s certainly why I did so many double transfers. No matter what you decide will be the right decision there is defo no one size fits all and sometimes it’s just a case of trying something different xx

[DancingQu33n in reply to Twiglet2]

There’s definitely a bit of that to it - isn’t it a sign of madness doing the exact same thing over and over expecting a different result?! It just seems like something different we could try and I don’t know the way they’ve suggested it now when before they were adamant not to makes me feel a bit like we’re a hopeless case who they think needs every bit of chance we can get.

The time saving is a factor too. That’s definitely coming from a place of hurt and fear as have been through the wringer and would rather do that once more not twice if it might not work. Just trying to figure out what’s best but I think you’re right there’s no right answers. Some people are just so against doubles it’s given me pause. X

[Twiglet2 in reply to DancingQu33n]

They were the same with me about doubles (I did a few against their advise) then when I hit 40 and had 3 unsuccessful ones in a row they were totally fine with doubles. The consultants said after 40 there is not really an increased risk of twins statistically and if you’ve had a few negatives in a row as well they are more comfortable with a double. They made it very clear though it doesn’t ’double’ your chances only increases them slightly for that transfer alone and 2 separate transfers may work better for some etc. defo no right or wrong! Even the consultants at my clinic had differing views on what they would choose (always left me to decide though!) xx

[Doodlebug23]

My doctor was very against double transfers, so I had four single transfers before he would agree to do double transfers. I then had two double transfers which failed and then from my seventh transfer which was a double transfer I now have my daughter.

My Clinic were happy that my “environment was optimal” and that they just needed to find the right embryo to implant. This is why I was so wanting to do double transfers as I felt that Kong continuing with single transfers just meant more failed transfers whereas doing double transfers doubled my chances of One actually getting snuggled in.

[DancingQu33n in reply to Doodlebug23]

This is kind of how I’m feeling. I feel like the single transfers are prolonging things and it’s sort of a numbers game at this point. I’m having Emma and Alice to investigate further before anything else but no one seems to think this is actually the issue.

How many collections have you had? A bit scared at the thought of this not working and having to do another one. But then if I do two single transfers and they don’t work then I’ll be in the same position but with more months gone in between.

[Doodlebug23 in reply to DancingQu33n]

My clinic were of the opinion it was a numbers game. I found that hard as it’s difficult to just keep going with nothing to fix. My clinic also didn’t advocate the ERA EMMA ALICE tests and their reasoning made sense to me so I never went down that route.

I went down the DE route due to my age and was on a refund guarantee programme. It included 3 egg collections. Though only needed to use 2. Running out of embryos quicker also worried me with double transfers. But I also didn’t want to prolong with more transfers .

[Tinkertinkerbell]

Have you done the EMA, Alice and ERA test or anything similar?? I had 4 unsuccessful transfers and did the biopsy which found that my lining was pre receptive on day 6 and needed an extra 30 hours to be ready. Basically all my other transfers were too early. My 5th transfer worked and I now have a 3 month old. If I hadn’t done that test I think the embryo would have been transferred too early again and wouldn’t have worked. That was the thing that finally worked for me. Just a suggestion because if it’s a timing issue putting 2 back won’t help. One of my transfers that failed was a double transfer. Good luck x

[DancingQu33n in reply to Tinkertinkerbell]

Thanks I’m going to have Emma and Alice before doing anything else. That’s interesting about your results and great you’ve had success. My consultant is dubious about ERA for me. Apparently the window can vary and I’ve had pregnancies so the timing doesn’t seem to be the issue.

[Angelikid88]

i am in the exactly same boat! after 2 failed FETs doctor is pushing me for a double transfer but i am very much afraid of a twin pregnancy and labour also because of my age (almost 37 yo) but more importantly because I've lost faith to my own body... If you make up your mind, please tell me what you did best of luck to you!!!!

[DancingQu33n in reply to Angelikid88]

Glad it’s not just me! I would definitely be open to a twin pregnancy. I know it would be incredibly tough even if the pregnancy but was smooth but I’m willing to roll the dice to be in with a shot. I’ve just got mixed feelings. I think because it hasn’t worked so many times I’m wondering if having two singles is dragging it all out. I of course hope this could be the lucky go but it’s hard to totally believe it. The trusting your body thing is so true 😔 And then the idea of one double affecting the other but my consultant didn’t seem to worried about that. Decisions decisions! Maybe we should make a pact to copy each other 🤪

[Angelikid88 in reply to DancingQu33n]

if i were you I would go ahead with double transfer! you sound like you want it and you are ready for this scenario! if the reason you didn't make it with the previous 4 is the embryos and their adnormalities, then you save time with the double transfer. but I would recommend that you add 2 embryos of the same grading as many excepts say this is the right way to go. may i ask you how old you are?

good luck and keep me posted

[Megrumpy]

So I had 3 single transfers and 2 double transfers. All failed and from my last double transfer I have 2-year-old non-identical twins. I was told by consultant that if you are meant to have twins you will. So just be prepared for that. Also be prepared that if you do have twins, the pregnancy will be a rollercoaster. Actually, forget eveything I said, nothing will prepare you for having twins.

But when they wake up an ask for the other one or share the last sweet, you will forget all the pain this world puts you through as most places and people are not prepared for twins.

Also, as a side note, these were the best embryos by far and we believe that both the consultant and the embryologist had a good idea we might end up with twins, so perhaps discuss it with them as well.

[DancingQu33n in reply to Megrumpy]

That sounds like a wild ride but incredibly lovely too! Yes I thought a chat with the embryologist might be a good idea. I’m really torn. Thanks for sharing your experience.