2 vs. 3 transfer

schlud01 · May 2012

Ladies, I have been struggling with this decision since the day we found out we would have to do IVF. I need your advice, input, comments, anything...

We have been trying for a child for 6 years, through many failed cycles, tons of money, and 2 heartbreaking miscarriages, we want this ivf cycle to work so badly it hurts.

Which leads me to making the decision to put back 2 or 3 so hard. I want a healthy baby or babies, either way I would be forever grateful and happy, however, putting back 3 ( and 3 taking) has so many risks of no carrying to term which would be heartbreaking. None taking for us would be devastating as well. I am just so torn, and so scared to make the wrong decision. I would rather have 3 babies than none, and do anything I can to keep them safe inside, but I just know its not that easy.

Doc said he always recommends 2, however, its our decision.

Also, I know that my decision will be affected by the quality of the blasts on day 5 when that comes as well. This is just my pre-thoughts on it...

Please dont think im crazy, or irresponsible, or desperate... Oh, wait. I am desperate for a baby.,..

JenScott-4-09 · May 2012

I would think that you don't want to put back more than you can handle. Triplets would scare the heck out of me but for others it is something that they could make work. If financially and emotionally you and your husband can handle that, then go for it. If either of you have reservations about it, I would only do two. My RE said with my DOR diagnosis, he would want to put back 3 (if we are lucky to get 3) and I told him no. Only 2 for us. GL to you with this decision and may you have comfort with whatever you choose.

schlud01 · May 2012

we and both very comfortable with 3 babies. Anything would be a blessing at this point!

thanks! and GL to you as well!

Edwina.McDunnough · May 2012

ASRM has ethical guidelines outlining the number of blasts to transfer, and 3 is reserved for those with a history of successful transfers and are at least 38 years old. If your RE is ethical, the option for 3 is poor, even with poor quality blasts, so it's not even something that you should be thinking all that hard about. Twins have the potential for a lot of problems as well. On this board I've seen so many complications from twins, I wouldn't take carrying multiples of any number lightly at all.

www.asrm.org/publications/detail.aspx?id=3966

Lacyj67 · May 2012

I would put in three to up the chances if I had already had failed attempts and been trying a long time! I say go with your heart because your brain may talk you outta it due to the financial and emotional aspects!!! Good luck!;)

Edwina.McDunnough · May 2012

schlud01:
we and both very comfortable with 3 babies. Anything would be a blessing at this point!

So you're happy to risk the health of your babies and yourself, increase the chances of a developmental concerns, or risk pregnancy loss. Good luck!

Lacy, this is her first IVF. ET is based on IVF history not years TTC.

Aegis2005 · May 2012

Honestly, if my doctor recommended two, I'd do two. I did an eSET for my first IVF, that ended in m/c, and wanted to a eSET for my FET, but my RE strongly recommended putting back two. Honestly, I'm nervous about it.

Do I think I could handle raising healthy twins? Yes. Do I think I'd do well, mentally, in a high risk pregnancy or if I miscarry again? Absolutely not. In the year I've been on the board, I've seen too many people who were carrying twins and triplets come back because they lost their children - many at later stages in their pregnancies.

jessi1988 · May 2012

Our RE told us that he would highly recommend us only putting one back because of the high risks multiples come with not only for birth but for defects etc, as well as the fact that I have a bicorunate uterus puts me at a much higher risk for pre term labor. He did however say that if we had poor quality embryo that he would put two in.

In the end it's a personal decision, but not one that should be taken lightly with the "two for one" mantality. You should look into the odds of complications carrying triplets that may help you decide if it's worth it to you! Goodluck!

maggie2324 · May 2012

This is your first IVF cycle, so I would NOT put in 3 5 day blasts. Putting in 3 at 5 days does not increase your chance of pregnancy AT ALL, only your chance of multiples.

If you do a 3 day transfer, then I think transferring 3 is ok. It will increase your chance of pregnancy then. If you don't have 2 blasts on day 5 that are high enough quality to freeze, then 3 would be ok too. That's an atypical situation though because if they see that as a likely outcome, a 3dt would be recommended.

rosemary&thyme · May 2012

You are 26 years old on your first cycle. If your doctor is willing to put back 3, I would question him/her. Keep in mind, 3 could mean more if any of them split. It is a risk to you and your baby(ies) and you could also have to make the incredibly difficult decision of selective reduction. Best of luck to you, whatever you do end up deciding.

racheyt0227 · May 2012

I don't even have that option. My Dr will put back 2 max. They usually rec one but she is ok in my case of putting back 2.

ge0rge · May 2012

Edwina.McDunnough:
ASRM has ethical guidelines outlining the number of blasts to transfer, and 3 is reserved for those with a history of successful transfers and are at least 38 years old. If your RE is ethical, the option for 3 is poor, even with poor quality blasts, so it's not even something that you should be thinking all that hard about. Twins have the potential for a lot of problems as well. On this board I've seen so many complications from twins, I wouldn't take carrying multiples of any number lightly at all.
www.asrm.org/publications/detail.aspx?id=3966

I'd follow this - these guidelines are established for good reasons. GL.

zookbride · May 2012

ge0rge:
Edwina.McDunnough:
ASRM has ethical guidelines outlining the number of blasts to transfer, and 3 is reserved for those with a history of successful transfers and are at least 38 years old. If your RE is ethical, the option for 3 is poor, even with poor quality blasts, so it's not even something that you should be thinking all that hard about. Twins have the potential for a lot of problems as well. On this board I've seen so many complications from twins, I wouldn't take carrying multiples of any number lightly at all.
www.asrm.org/publications/detail.aspx?id=3966

I'd follow this - these guidelines are established for good reasons. GL.

This exactly. I know you've been trying for a long time, but you just can't risk HOMs. I don't think I'd be comfortable with any more than 2. And 2 scare me b/c I know several ladies with twins that lost theirs in 2nd tri and a couple more that had their twins really early (29, 30 weeks) and that is a big burden to bear as well.

Best of luck to you. IF sucks!

schlud01 · May 2012

Thank you ladies. When I say I am ok with all 3 taking that is because I would be if thats what happened, But my bigger fear is that none will take. Which i why I ask opinions. We have had sooo many failed cycles with no reason behind them. Thank you all for your support and suggestions. I am going to wait and go with quality when the day comes. I will keep you all updated. I really just want the best for my baby, but I want there to be a baby for the best to be for. If that makes sense.

thank you all again, this has helped. I will research that page as well!

Best of luck to you all!

LaLe09 · May 2012

Believe me, I know the pain and desperation of wanting a child, but that's not a reason to put 3 embryos in on your first IVF (esp. being under 35). There are guidelines that are backed up by actual research data as Edwina pointed out. For under 35, the sET is being pushed by alot of clinics, the research shows that it has very similar pregnancy outcomes as a dET, without the increased morbidity and mortality of the mother and bab(ies). I would recommend doing alot more research on pregnancy/infant outcomes and not make a decision based on feelings. I know it's hard to separate the two with such an emotionally challenging situation. I hope you and your DH can come to a decision that is best for both of you! Good luck to you. I hope your cycle brings you success.

maryoosa · May 2012

My doc told me that with triplets there is a really good chance, besides all the complications a triplet pregnancy might have that that most triplets wind up with one baby that is very sickly because they just don't have enough room, or get enough oxygen in utero.

ukyankee · May 2012

I'm 43, so I would go for 3...but if I was younger, I'd NEVER go for more than 2 and honestly at 26, I'd just go for one - one has the best possiblity for success. I'd freeze the rest.

April+ · May 2012

I am currently on my first IVF cycle so I don't have much experience with this yet, but my RE said not to make any decisions on how many to transfer until we see the fertilized embryos and how they are doing. If they are really good then there is no point transferring more than is needed. They only transfer more when the quality is bad and they are hoping for one of them to stick. GL!

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