3dt vs 5dt

maggie2324 · June 2012

When I talked to my RE at the WTF, one of the things she mentioned was that we could do a 3dt next time of up to 3 embryos. The reasoning she gave is that for whatever reason, some people's embryos do better in utero than in the lab.

I did my own research as she suggested and I'm strongly leaning toward transferring 3 on day 3 rather than 2 on day 5 for IVF #2. It seems to me that the only reason to do a 5dt is if you want to do a SET and have surplus embryos. Otherwise a 3dt seems better.

The research that I've found shows that when the population is randomly selected for a 3dt or 5dt that the pregnancy rates are exactly the same. Transferring more embryos on day 3 actually has a lower rate of multiples than transferring 2 on day 5. The chance of trips is higher, but very low, and the chance of twins is significantly lower. This way, the embryos that wouldnt make high quality blasts in the lab are given a chance since some of them can become healthy babies.

Thoughts? Opinions?

hootie123 · June 2012

The problem is that you don't know what is going to happen for your own situation and that is really what matters - stats and whatnot don't mean anything if you are the one that ends up pregnant with triplets. I know someone who transferred 3 on day 3 and now has triplets - and I've transferred 3 on day 3 and got nothing.

I don't think there is a 'right' answer to the 3d v. 5d debate.

April+ · June 2012

I was told that there really is not much difference in success rates between 3dt and 5dt if the embryologist can choose the best embryos on these days. The main reasons to hold out to a 5dt is if the embryologist has too many embryos that look the same and cannot choose the best ones on day 3. Day 3 may show lower stats than a day 5 but only because most people who end up with very few low quality embryos have to transfer them ASAP and many times these embryos won't make it (which brings down the stats on day 3). If day 5 was the standard day to transfer, the stats would be lower on day 5 also.

I have heard of other REs suggesting to transfer on day 3 instead of day 5 just to test out the theory that the embryos might do better in the body instead of in the lab, so if that is what is suggested I would consider it. I personally had a day 3 transfer because I had 2 embryos that were clearly leading. I don't regret the decision because I also think that embryos would do better in their natural environment. GL!

Jezebell26 · June 2012

I personally am not reading the stats. I am leaving that decision up to the embryologist who does this for a living. They will make the best decision based on their experience with my embryos. If they say 3dt then thats what I do. My last two transfers were a 5dt. I personally think it is better for 5d because then you see what doesnt make it between day 3-5 and what if the ones that didn't make it were the ones transferred. IDK its very complicated and I try not to think about it and leave that decision up to the experts. We have not decided on how many to transfer and I honestly dont think you should do 3 being this your second attempt and you are young. We are batting with that decision and will wait to see what the grades are and what they suggest. We are definitely transferring two but im leaning towards three but the thought of trips scares us a bit while twins totally doesnt.

Regardless, GL!!!!!

amandaleigh1 · June 2012

maggie2324:

The research that I've found shows that when the population is randomly selected for a 3dt or 5dt that the pregnancy rates are exactly the same. Transferring more embryos on day 3 actually has a lower rate of multiples than transferring 2 on day 5. The chance of trips is higher, but very low, and the chance of twins is significantly lower. This way, the embryos that wouldnt make high quality blasts in the lab are given a chance since some of them can become healthy babies.
Thoughts? Opinions?

Ticker warning! I wanted to pipe up because the percentage chance of multiples at least at my clinic was just as high with 3 dt as with 5dt (they share info like this on transfer day). And for my clinic, pregnancy rates were lower overall with the 3dt group, though this is probably because they lean towards having clients with the greater number of embryos (and possibly better embryos) transfer on day 5. I was rather upset at being scheduled for a 3 d transfer myself, as it was my first ivf, I was not comfortable putting more than 2 embryo back in. I am pretty sure I would be having twins or more right now if I had put back more than 1.

KdgTeacher · June 2012

Interesting info. MH and I met with our RE on Wednesday and he said his clinic pushes for 5/6dt and hardly ever does 3dt. He explained his reasoning (let's see if I can get this right), but for the 1st 3 days it is pretty much the egg doing everything and you don't get to see what "the sperm brings to the mix." If you can wait until 5DT, or ideally 6dt in my case, you get a much better picture of what is going on.

As other ladies said, I'd let them decide as your go and go from there

krissywave · June 2012

ive seen people have good progess at 3d and by 5 day alot of them were no longer good. They were not doubling like they should, or just stopped growing. So for me by giving those 2 extra days will help weed out those that wont make it. I would rather wait and have the best put back than to go early and put unknown back in.

Want a personalized experience?

3dt vs 5dt

Re: 3dt vs 5dt

Choose Another Board

Search Boards