How many to transfer?

FloridaSun82 · October 2013

My RE is pretty set on a single embryo transfer, but I'm so nervous. On the one hand, twins are NOT my ideal. I would absolutely be okay having twins, emotionally and financially, but our plan is to have one at a time. With that said, it makes me so nervous to just transfer one. Why wouldn't I do two and increase the odds of getting pregnant? I know twin pregnancies are risky, but there's also a chance that only 1 will take... How many are you guys transferring?

FutureMrsW9 · October 2013

*****WARNING BFP mentioned*****

We had this debate, as well. I can't really give you advice, but here was our experience......My heart said 2, but my head said 1. We had a consult w/our RE before the transfer and he gave us all the risks, statistics, answered questions etc. Honestly, it just made us more confused but he put it into perspective for us. So, I did what any logical person would do, and made a pro/con list haha. The list CLEARLY pointed us in the direction of doing SET. The main reasons were our Dx (me PCOS), that we're still young, our embryos were all either hatched or hatching/high quality, and this was our first try w/IVF/FET. We had 16 frosties and RE said if the SET didn't work we could try again immediately next cycle, so that also helped.

It's a completely personal decision, and I know how hard it is. However, we did one and according to all of the FRERs that I've peed on the last 5 days we're KU! I go for my beta on Tuesday, but we're pretty confident because that second line has been getting darker and darker every day :-)

Good luck with your decision!

ld08271 · October 2013

***warning bfp mentioned****

I had the same fears as you. My DH made me feel better about SET after he put it this way....if it doesn't work it's just a few month delay until next cycle....if you get pregnant with twins it's forever. It helped me see the bigger picture.

However, everyone's case is so different. This was my first IVF cycle, we're on a shared risk plan, and I've carried a pregnancy to term. If we were older, had lower quality embryos, were doing a 3dt, or if we had multiple failed IVF cycles we'd be going for two. It's a very personal decision. I am still in 2ww for beta, but have had really strong positives on HPT. It's too early to tell if it will stick, but it shows that it can work with just one. Good luck with a hard decision.

babydreams13 · October 2013

My first IVF last month we transferred 2 early blasts on day 5 and got a BFN. This IVF we transferred 2 BBs on day 5 outcome unknown yet.

Everyone has different reasons why they put back 1,2, or 3. My reasoning: My RE suggests 1 for my age 32, but if we requested 2 he would do it. When we sat down with our RE we asked for the percentages that we would have twins and how much would it increase our chances of just getting preg and having 1. Transferring 2 significantly increased our chances of twins and slightly increased our chances of having 1. Our chances of triplets was very low. I have always been fine with having twins and always said I wanted twins prior to IF. My father is a twin and we have sets of twins in my family. I know having a twin preg is riskier but then we would be done and not have to go through IF treamtments again since we want 2 kids. For me the big thing was when RE said that putting back 2 would slightly increase my chance for one to stick. At this point I need all the help I can get. Now if we had AAs I might of considered putting back one on the first IVF. However, we haven't had any AAs so 2 it is!

Do what you feel comfortable with. For me I hardly even considered putting 1 back. You have to be fine with having twins bc its a definite possibility with putting back 2. GL

O2girl · October 2013

We are placing 2. My RE said that since I'm 37 he won't put less than 2; however he said since I have no history of miscarriage that he won't put more than 2. Plus he advised us strongly that we could end up with 3 if one splits, and so forth. Odds are low and we are prepared for whatever we get... But we do want twins so that is our goal.

GL

ball.and.chain · October 2013

My RE feels strongly that SET is the way to go with good blasts, especially if you are under 35 (I was 34 at ER). We agreed and wanted to avoid twins (or worse, triplets) if possible. We did 2 SETs, and both were BFPs, but both ended in miscarriage. Due to the fact that our remaining embryos are frozen in pairs (so we now have to thaw 2 at a time whether we transfer 2 or not) and my hunch that a lot of my embryos might be abnormal, we are transferring 2 this time.

Margritli · October 2013

We have a bit of a special situation, because we are abroad and do not have the option of waiting to see how the embryos develop (gov't. regulations) here. Since we cannot see if the embyros are developing normally or at all, the Dr. isn't able to pick the best one to put back. For this reason, our RE is recommending that we transfer two. It is, however, a bit of a special case, since in the U.S. monitoring the embryos and picking the best one is an option. We are okay with twins and are aware of the risks.

ErinSays · October 2013

Yeah, my RE also said transferring 2 doesn't increase the odds of getting pregnant, just having multiples. I nannied for twins for 4 years, so having twins of my own does not appeal to me.

Alexandra1513 · October 2013

We did 2. My RE said that for my age being only 24 the difference between one transfer and 2 was a difference of about 7% and for my that was worth it. I am more willing to bet on 68% pregnancy rate over 61%. In the end it is a personal choice. I am all for twins, we have a few sets in my family already and I figure we are young and can handle it. Good luck with your decision.

salsamcg · October 2013

Our RE seems fairly concerned about risking multiples in couples our age, but if we request 2 he'll do it. He won't do any more than that though for my age since he seems pretty sure that they'll be high quality eggs. I don't know how everyone else's husbands are, but mine is much more conservative when it comes to this. He's way more frightened of the possibility of twins than I am! I come from a larger family though, so maybe that's why I'm more okay with the idea.

kjf114 · October 2013

Hard decision for myself too. First IVF which was bfn we transferred 1 4aa. Following FET we transferred 1 4aa which ended in a miscarriage. 2nd FET is now going to be 2- beyond ready and can't take the heartache anymore

brooklynesque · October 2013

I've been around these boards a while and have seen a *lot* of twin pregnancies end in heartbreaking late losses. I've also seen the stat that 1 out if 26 twins dies in the first year. (Not sure if stillbirths are included in that number.) Twins have significantly higher rates of cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, and other issues.

And want to know something? Your RE doesn't have much of an incentive to talk you out of putting back 2. A micropreemie birth at 27 weeks? A child who can't walk due to cerebral palsy? Still counts as a live birth in his/her stats. The RE may never even know or have to think about how your kids end up.

And if success rates with eSETs are a bit lower, think about what that really means. A couple months more of waiting and a few thousand more dollars for an FET are a small price to pay to give your child(ren) a better shot at a healthier life. It is indisputable that a singleton pregnancy is better for the baby. As someone put it on another board I'm on, "consider this your first opportunity as a mother to put the good of your child above your own wants." Unless you are AMA, have known issues with embryo quality or implantation, IMO it makes sense to do an eSET.

mccall0113 · October 2013

Lots of good arguments here. I am coming off a failed IVF cycle. We put back 2. I begged the RE for 3. I can't help but to think, " what if." We are priming for FET next week. We will definitely try for at least 2. Probably doesn't help that my personal motto is, "go big or go home!" Good luck with your decision

salsamcg · October 2013

@mccall0113 we have the same motto! haha I've even got my husband saying it

christia10 · October 2013

Follow your heart! My RE in DC is super set on doing a single embryo but after hours and hours of research I have decided that if I am lucky enough to have two (or more God willing) then two it will be. My health insurance will only cover up to 3 IVF cycles and after that we are on our own if we continue. So I am not risking lower chances to please my RE or whatever. I will pray about it but I just have a feeling that two is good.

Did you watch the MTV True Life-I'm Desperate to Have a Baby? Jenna also faced this issue in the documentary. Most RE's tell you 2 embryos increases your odds anywhere from 3-10 percent. I mean that is a lot. I will do WHATEVER I can (well within moral reason) to have a family). I want this SO bad. I pray for it 24 hours a day (as many of you ladies do as well).

Anyway I hope I have a few embryos so I can do at least 2...PLEASE Lord PLEASE

mccall0113 · October 2013

@kcm187 my hubby does too

christia10 · October 2013

mccall0113 said:

Lots of good arguments here. I am coming off a failed IVF cycle. We put back 2. I begged the RE for 3. I can't help but to think, " what if." We are priming for FET next week. We will definitely try for at least 2. Probably doesn't help that my personal motto is, "go big or go home!" Good luck with your decision

Are you a Texan? I am a TX Girlie living in WA DC. I have the same motto. LOL

Best of luck to all of us.

Alexandra1513 · October 2013

christia10 said:

mccall0113 said:

Lots of good arguments here. I am coming off a failed IVF cycle. We put back 2. I begged the RE for 3. I can't help but to think, " what if." We are priming for FET next week. We will definitely try for at least 2. Probably doesn't help that my personal motto is, "go big or go home!" Good luck with your decision

Are you a Texan? I am a TX Girlie living in WA DC. I have the same motto. LOL

Best of luck to all of us.

Lets go Texas Girls!!!!! YEE HAW

FutureMrsW9 · October 2013

brooklynesque said:

I've been around these boards a while and have seen a *lot* of twin pregnancies end in heartbreaking late losses. I've also seen the stat that 1 out if 26 twins dies in the first year. (Not sure if stillbirths are included in that number.) Twins have significantly higher rates of cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, and other issues. And want to know something? Your RE doesn't have much of an incentive to talk you out of putting back 2. A micropreemie birth at 27 weeks? A child who can't walk due to cerebral palsy? Still counts as a live birth in his/her stats. The RE may never even know or have to think about how your kids end up. And if success rates with eSETs are a bit lower, think about what that really means. A couple months more of waiting and a few thousand more dollars for an FET are a small price to pay to give your child(ren) a better shot at a healthier life. It is indisputable that a singleton pregnancy is better for the baby. As someone put it on another board I'm on, "consider this your first opportunity as a mother to put the good of your child above your own wants." Unless you are AMA, have known issues with embryo quality or implantation, IMO it makes sense to do an eSET.

Wow, there are certainly a lot of great opinions and experiences you have to consider here. I already gave you mine, but I also think this response hits the nail on the head for electing to do an eSET, at least for your first couple of tries. You may also want to post on the PAIF and ask about success. I did that and it really helped with my decision - the women over there were all in our shoes at one point or another and can offer a great perspective from "the other side." At the end of the day you should consider what's going to be best for your family and make the healthiest decision for both you and baby. I wish you good luck and try to stay calm and rational when making your decision (I KNOW it's hard) :-)

LizRG · October 2013

We're planning on transferring 2 because our insurance doesn't cover IVF so we're 100% OOP and we've both always wanted twins. If we weren't OOP I may consider only transferring 1 but we have $20K riding on at least 1 sticking.

mirgirl · October 2013

I hope you don't mind a lurker...

We transferred two on our first IVF and lost our twin boys without explanation at 23w6d. Since then multiple people have approached me, whether on here or in real life, to say it happened to them, too. I agree with PPs that loss of or severe defect with twins happens a lot, even just looking at the stats. We have done another IVF since and did SET (BFN) and are gearing up for an FET in November, where we will do SET provided that the quality is good. The idea of another late loss is so hard for me to even think about so I will likely never consider 2 again.

But, on the flip side, a dear friend of mine has 2 year-old twin boys through IVF so there are positive outcomes. Only you know the right thing for you. Good luck!

CameraBug131 · October 2013

I think it has more to do with the quality of the embryo - one high quality embryo vs. two med quality.

mccall0113 · October 2013

@christina10 farthest thing from a Texan! I'm from NY! Lol

brooklynesque · October 2013

Mirgirl: Thanks for posting. I am so sorry for your loss. Good luck as you keep moving forward.

Manada · October 2013

We have gone back and forth over this. Our RE feels strongly about SET, but I also don't feel like she acknowledges the emotional/financial cost of IF - so I take all her advice with a grain of salt.

Right now we're at a place where we will transfer one the first time or two, and then move on to double transfers. All of this depends on the quantity and quality of our embryos though - for example, we would feel much better about a SET if we have alot of high quality embryos, and would be more willing to go for a double if there was one good one, and only one other of mediocre quality.

Viasatalyte · October 2013

kjf114 said:
Hard decision for myself too. First IVF which was bfn we transferred 1 4aa. Following FET we transferred 1 4aa which ended in a miscarriage. 2nd FET is now going to be 2- beyond ready and can't take the heartache anymore

@kjf114 I'm routing for you!! I'm going for two as well after failed fresh and fet #1. Any insight from your doctor on the unsuccessful cycles?

kjf114 · October 2013

@viasatalyte (sorry just seen this I have been mobile bumping- tags don't show up). the first time with the bfn they think because my e2 was so high. the 2nd time with the m/c they really don't have an idea blighted ovum.. since 85% of m/c are chromosome issues and ours was normal. that its either fluke or something more serious- that also geared us for transferring 2 to see if m/c happens again and go for genetic testing.

princessisadora · October 2013

I just saw this thread and I find myself asking the same question 1 or 2. My RE recommends a single transfer bc of my age and the fact I have a severe arcuate uterus so I can be at risk of miscarriage or pre term labor. He said the only way he would do 2 is if embryo quality is less than superstar ( yes he did actually say superstar). I am not gonna lie I'm really afraid of just transferring one but on the other hand I'm more terrified of the possibility of a miscarriage.

FloridaSun82 · October 2013

I am with a lot of you. I think I'm going to move forward with 1. The risks of 2 are higher than I'm comfortable with at my age and right now. The thought of miscarriage and preterm birth is too scary for me, too. I've become very spiritual lately and feel that if G-d wants me to have twins, He'll split the embryo

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