To transfer 1 embryo or 2??

MelenaZ

I am stuck with yet another decision. Should we transfer 1 embryo or 2?
I am 36yo on my 1st round of IVF, my fertility issue is in my tube (1 removed). I have 10 great looking embryos and I am having a 5dt. My RE strongly suggest 1 ET for the less riskier route but we have been through so many (about 6-8) etopics that dh n I have been considering 2 to increase chances. We wouldn't mind twins if that happened. Im just worried about the pregnancy and risks. Any advise? Anyone with twinsies having pregnancy problems?

KidShrink

We haven't been faced with that decision yet, but if it were the case, I'd transfer 2. I'd be perfectly happy with twins, but that's different for everyone. Would it increase the risk of another ectopic?

beckihall

We did two, I was also okay with having twins. I'm 29 and only 5ft tall so now I'm pretty nervous. But I think if we can get through IVF we can handle twins!

MrsBwIVF

We did a transfer last fall and were suggested only to do 1 because of its high rating but were told they would transfer 2 as long as we understood the risks. We did transfer 2, only 1 took and it split, unfortunately it didn't split correctly and we m/c a couple of weeks unto it.

Fast forward to this spring, we transferred 2 embryos with lower ratings, were not warned against it as we were with the first transfer. Both embryos took and we couldn't have been happier. We had already discussed that with my age and health, multiples wouldn't be too big of an issue. We also went through our finances as well before deciding on 2 being transferred and knew we could afford 2 babies at once as well as me being a SAHM over daycare costs.

I completely understand your thoughts that two is better than one or none at this point after all of your long struggles and losses. No one can tell you what you and your husband should do. I know it's a difficult decision. For us, I knew we'd regret not transferring 2 if we did a transfer and the 1 embryo didn't take. But with our higher rated ones, only one took and the lower rated ones both took. You just never know what will happen.

Good luck on your journey!

MelenaZ

Thank you . I don't think my chances of ectopic increase with a 2et. RE said they would implant lower in uterus to decrease risk. I do agree that if we can overcome infertility and IVF then we can twins. I think I'm heading more toward 2. :x 8->

MelenaZ

Silly question. If I do 2 embryo transfer and only 1 takes does the other dissolve or do they have to remove it?

riveridgional

I'm pretty sure it dissolves or you pass it just as you would anytime fertilization happened but not implantation.

girloffaith

oh, I know the agonizing decision this is!!!  i'm pretty sure I went back and forth a gazillion times with whether to transfer 1 or 2 on our first cycle with great quality embryos.  my RE basically said "it's really up to how much you're concerned about money and time b/c eventually we could transfer all of them to keep trying for the BFP."  I prayed a lot about it, and I finally feel like I felt better about transferring 2.  I got my BFP last week and will find out if it is one or two in 10 days!  seriously, it really is such a stressful decision--I know a lot of people who transferred one and got pregnant that cycle (one also had tubes removed).  I think labs have come a long way in each passing year!  congrats on 10 great embryos--that's fantastic and makes decision much less stressful

MelenaZ

@beckihall I think everything will go great. I just read an old forum with plenty of 5ft woman that had very normal twinsie pregnancies.
@MrsBwIVF that is awesome. Congratulations!! I am a strong believer that everything happens for a reason and works itself out.
@girloffaith Congratulations!! hope your journey goes as smooth as can be.

jnissa

We absolutely only transfer one at a time if it's a five day transfer (we are more liberal with three days). I know twins sound amazing when you're struggling trying for your first. What I can tell you is that before I did my first IVF cycle I talked to six or seven friends who had had IVF. Two had twins. They were emphatic that they loved their children very much but if they had it to do over again they would never have transferred two. Having had a baby now, I understand why and we will definitely never be transferring more than one in our quest for a sibling. One is so hard, I can't imagine two and I'm a sahm with a nanny. My friends who advised against two actually sent me all kinds of studies and stats about how many marriages ultimately break up because of multiples. For us, we're doing everything we can to avoid multiples if possible (again, on a day 3 transfer I'd be more okay with transferring more). 

I think it's pretty easy to get wrapped up in the baby quest and want one so badly that you go for the big numbers. I know it was  a hard decision. But ultimately the difference between transferring them individually one at a time is just money and time. For us, no multiples was a big priority. 

But that's just our take. You should obviously do whatever you're comfortable with!

MelenaZ

@jnissa thank you so much for your input. It is nice to read reasons y I should be afraid of twins.
I guess I didn't mention that I have a 10yo son and twin nephews that I spent a lot of time with when they were babies so I am comfortable with having the 2 Babies at one time. My dh is very supportive, helpful and is very good with babies. We also come from large families so we will probably have help pouring out at us.
My main concern is the pregnancy. And the risks associated with it. I don't run marathons everyday but I am pretty healthy, have no health conditions and normally rarely take any medication.

mc123mc

Melena- 

After suffering a miscarriage myself after transferring 1 perfect embryo, DH and I opted to transfer 2 this last time. We wanted to increase our chances and since I am also 36, we thought this might be our only chance at having 2 kids. I revered engineered the pregnancies and my age so 1 at 36 and another at 38/39. Maybe at 39 I won't want to be pregnant, which was my thinking. 

We transferred 2 and 1 stuck. For a moment I was a bit disappointed that there was 1 one but now I feel much better about having one baby. I am more confident my body can handle this and once the baby is born, I can devote all my attention to just him/her. 

We have been on this road of infertility for a long time and we are ecstatic with the one we have right now. I still have 4 embryo's left, so there could be a sibling in the future if this first one is all we expected!

peregrinefalconx

I'll be transferring one, unless my doc HIGHLY recommends 2. I posted this exact question on another board. The idea of a rough twin pregnancy, and what could happen to them, is much worse than the idea of a round or two of IVF. Or even having another miscarriage (for me). I'm a worrier and once I was given all the info about the increased rates of so many issues with twins, it opened up a world of things I hadn't thought of (and I thought I had figured out most things to worry about :P)

Not to mention that I would like to dote on one and give him/her all the attention!! Good luck in your decision!

Binnie505

We did single blastocyst transfer today. It was a big confusion for us too. We want to get pregnant but we don't really want to have pregnancy risks with multiples so we had decided we'd do whatever the doc recommend. They recommended 1 and that's what we did. And now I am just going to keep my fingers crossed that it will stick

MelenaZ

@mc123mc this IVF road is very difficult. Congratulations of ur bfp. I am a true believer that there is a reason for everything that happens. I am very excited for you and pray all goes perfect. After all we have gone through al of this, it better go perfect.
@peregrinefalconx I am a worry wort also and always analylizing everything. I will just pray that everything happens the way it should, And everything goes great with your et also.
@Binnie505 my fingers are crossed for you also. Doctors always want you to take the safest route. I might just be a rebel. )

Kate13012

We transferred 2 and got a BFN.  We transferred 2 again and I'm 7 weeks w/ twins.  It is all so humbling how little control we have.  Whatever your decide will be the right decision.

FatPony

My doc refused to put back 2, due to my age (29). I was mad at the time, but the little embie stuck. Now, at 33 weeks I'm very happy we only did the one transfer. My coworker just had her twins at 30 weeks, which scared the crap out of me (both made it though!). Not that my story should influence your decision, good luck!

JaysensMom

Personally I'd transfer too but that's because of my luck. Lol when I had my fresh cycle I only transfered 1 and IMMEDIATELY regretted it. I was so upset with myself because I had a feeling I should've transfered 2. Obviously I got a BFN.

This cycle is a FET and we transfered 2 embys and I'm so excited! We get our results Friday! FETs can have better success rates than fresh sometimes. I read somewhere that they say that having 2 babies transfered also helps with implantation. They said having another baby in there helps them or at least 1 implant. I think 2 just gives you a better shot.

oxinfree

Totally just commented on this subject for you in another post, but again, only you know what is best for your body. I know personally I always want to stack the odds in my favour no matter what! That being said, I'm 6' and could probably carry twins better than most (always secretly wished for twins). Just be prepared that if you transfer 2 its likely if 1 sticks the other will as well! 

Since this is your first round and its a tube factor, I personally would suggest transferring 1. Ectopic pregnancies aren't a risk so much with IVF since they transfer it to your uterus to implant there. Since you have been pregnant before, I feel optimistic that 1 would take for you but that is just my opinion though, which really counts for very little compared to the doctors and yours personally obviously  

That being said, I get the pressure of wanting to put 2 in and make sure you don't have to go through the ordeal again. How many will you have left over to freeze if you transfer 1?

MelenaZ

@Kate13012 you are so right with that comment. We have no control. That is y I figure I can transfer 2 and if only 1 is meant to take then it will. If 2 awesome, and if none then so be it, I will be on this road again. Congratulations on ur bfp, hope everything goes great!!
@FatPony Congratulations. 33wks wow ur almost there!! I'm glad everything went ok with ur friends twins. I know it is very common to have twins early but 30 weeks, wow. Thank god our medical technology has so many advancements now a days. Best luck to the both of you.
@JaysensMom I am also afraid I would regret it if I do one n it doesn't take.
My fingers are crossed for ur BFP!!
@oxinfree My re is pretty confident that my 1 will stay but of course there are those chances that it won't.
I have waited so long for a baby and to be financial stable to afford IVF (I'm out of pocket pay) that I just want to increase all my chances. I have 10 great looking embryos so if it doesn't take I have a little collection to try again.

meganfauer

This is NO brainer for me. I would absolutely put 2 in. I have had two failed Ivf's (see signature)  and each time we put back Two "PERFECT" blaysts and both time BFN and we spent over $35,000. Just b/c they give you great odds, which they gave us a 75% chance b/c I was "perfect" and we only had male factor,  I still went with two and I was 30 years old at the time and it was  BFN. So again for me I would absolutely put back 2 b/c it doesn't mean any guarantee. 

Knottie36622473

@meganfauer I'm not on to IVF yet, but I know if/when I do I will transfer 2 embryos too and I agree for me this would be a no brainer. My situation is similar to yours. They say I'm an ideal candidate for IVF too and that the odds are in my favor but I'm skeptical and worry that won't be the case. Hubby thinks I should do a money back guarantee program here in Ohio that's $18,900 for 3 fresh and 3 frozen transfers including ICSI. If I don't get a live birth I get 70% back.

meganfauer

@knottie36622473 If I could do this process all over again from day one, I would absolutely do a money back guarantee program. My clinic almost talked me out of it b.c I was so "perfect" but obviously not. So it would of helped me immensely and lowered the stress level. I paid $18,000 including meds for each ONE of my IVF's

SharonB222

Of my five IVF-twin friends, most had minor complications due to IVF and/or twins, twice there were fetal fatalities and 1 child has long-term health issues. I accepted a decreased chance of pg for one transfer (same for two transfers) in order to optimize the chance of healthy children by transferring one (PGS-normal) at a time. I saved up money accordingly (for two FETs to start). It was the right choice for me. Good luck with your choice!

peregrinefalconx

I would just second the money-back guarantee programs. With mine, $30.5k for 6 tries. No baby or you want out at any time for any reason, you get a full refund.

Colleen0516

@MelenaZ after reading your post and responses, It looks like your comfortable with twins, so GO FOR IT!
You have better chances of at least 1 that way.
It's a hard decision and I understand that you're thinking it through (I think it's def smart!) but I feel like you want to go for 2 and just want some moral support... You can do this!
Either decision is a good decision! Go with your heart!

beckihall

@MelenaZ what did you end up doing? I can't wait to hear the results. We transfered 2 on Aug 4th and just found out today we're pregnant with triplets, one of the embryos split! I'm still in shock. Keeping my fx for you!

MelenaZ

Omg @beckihall congratulations. Wow!! triplets. I don't blame u for being in shock. I did transfer 2. I got my BFP today. Hcg was at 437. And I also have OHSS so I had excess fluid drained today. Everything went good. I fell much better. If u don't mind me asking what is ur age? Did u do fet? I hear splitting is more common as we get older. I am 36yo n had fresh 5d transfer.

beckihall

@MelenaZ I'm 29 and it was a fresh transfer. Twins do run in my family though, so there was a chance of this happening. One of the babies that split didn't have a heartbeat and was slightly smaller so we won't know for sure until next week if it fully develops or not. I'm 6w1d today. Congrats on your bfp! I had ohss too, it sucks but I'm so glad you feel better!

KidShrink

OMG @beckihall that's amazing!! When it rains it pours I guess! We can see it so clearly on your picture too! Hope your have a happy and healthy pregnancy! Keep us posted on #3!

HBamama2B

@MelenaZ Congratulations on your BFP! I'm so excited for you and your DH! You'll have to let us know how it goes, singleton or multiple! Wishing you a H&H pregnancy and birth!!

Colleen0516

Question: when you all transferred (whether it was 1 or 2) and got your BFP, was it fresh or frozen?
There was a news feed on that and majority said frozen worked better for them.

I'm doing a fresh cycle this month-- need some hope!

beckihall

@Colleen0516 my transfer was fresh

HBamama2B

@Colleen0516 DH was reading an article just this morning on frozen/fresh live birth rates (as opposed to PR): NPR "Freezing Eggs May Reduce a Woman's Odds of Success With IVF" ... I think the title might be misleading. Haven't read it yet.

Colleen0516

It's strange to me that any of it makes a difference. I don't understand how it could? When the embryo is transfer, it's "thawed out" right? lol
So it's the same as a fresh.
So confusing /:)

Colleen0516

@beckihall and you're pregnant with twins right?
My dream! [-O<
I'm following your lead! Lol

riveridgional

I honestly think it depends on the clinc. My clinic actually has a higher success rate with fresh, but I have heard over and over how recent research has revealed a higher success rate for frozen.

krbjoy

@Colleen0516 I did a fresh. Luckily I got the BFP because non of the other 5 were good enough to freeze. That's what I don't understand. But I read some where that frozen has a higher success rate because a woman (and her body) going through IVF is stressed from all of the injections and appointments etc. So with frozen, the embryos are going in a much more stable and less stressed environment.

beckihall

@Colleen0516 triplets, one of my two embryos split. Fx for you!

stacysmb

We transferred one our first try and it didn't stick. Our second try we transferred two, one split and we were pregnant with triplets. Unfortunately the embryo that split stopped developing around 8 weeks but we still have one healthy little boy kicking away in there right now.

Whatever you decide (or decided if this is old!) be prepared for the small chance that an embryo could split or both could split! The odds are pretty small that it could happen.

Good luck to you all. It's a hard choice and going back I don't know what I would do over again. If we try for a second some day we have already said one at a time though!

khochanadel

For the no-brainer was the other way. We just did a single embryo FET (I'm 33 and we have 15 frozen embryos left) and I will continue to do just one until it sticks. I really really don't want multiples and I'm just not willing to sign myself up for a riskier pregnancy just because the chances of implantation might be higher.

For us it was a pretty simple decision. We looked at each other and I said "Do you want twins?" He said no and asked if I wanted twins. I said no. We'll be on the single cellfie train until one finally leaves the station!