IVF/FET After Twins, # of Embryos Transferred

Raggedy1 · February 2014

We were blessed with mono-di twins after we had a 2 embryo transfer IVF, now we're talking about trying again. (so 1 embryo implanted and split). We have 2 Grade B frosties on ice. Would you transfer both? I suppose we're experienced now, so we'd be more prepared for twins. I guess I'm asking - what would/did you do if you had an IVF or FET after your twins?

megs3084 · February 2014

We transferred 2 for this pregnancy and have di/ di twins on the way. I think for future kids well try a SET first.

Jamie718 · February 2014

We transferred one the first try because my embryos were really good quality.. I think it was a 4AA. It worked and we had my DS. We did two FET after that and was told they had some cell loss due to the freezing/thawing process. I got pregnant both times, transferred one the first time and 2 the second time but they ended up being chemical pregnancies. We decided to do another full round of IVF for better quality embryos and had 8 as far as we knew up until transfer day and then went in to have the procedure done and they told us we only had two left. They were both grade B. I really only wanted to do one as I was (and still am) scared of having twins, but I knew it was our last shot to have kids, since there's no way I'd do IVF a third time. But, if I had to do it again I'd just transfer one if I was confident it was good quality. (Based on my history knowing they always implant.)

pillowass · February 2014

We are still not decided on having more kids, but with 3 good quality blasts on ice I would only transfer one. I definitely never want to go through a twin pregnancy again, not to mention the newborn stage. My pregnancy was normal, delivered at 37 weeks, no NICU. Still - never again!

caden · February 2014

Grade B I would risk it and do both. If they were As I'd transfer 1. JMPO. I transferred 2 As and 1 C and all 3 implanted but I ended up with twins.

SV917 · February 2014

There is no way I would transfer two embryos after having twins.

PurpleIris30 · February 2014

We transferred one embryo ("fair" quality), and it split into mo-di twins. After seeing everything my babies went through in the NICU after being born at 32 weeks, I would never transfer two (especially since we only transferred one the first time) unless the quality was awful on a fresh cycle (not just not great but awful). But on a FET where I know the embryo was strong enough to be frozen and survive thaw, I don't think I'd ever transfer more than one. I just couldn't risk it. You can always do a second FET, which would be cheaper than having twins.

caden · February 2014

Edit cuz I misread

zazu13 · February 2014

We will not actually be faced with this decision because we only have one frozen embryo and will not be pursuing fresh cycles again, but I would say once you have been through a twin pregnancy you have a much better idea how your body will handle one compared to someone making the decision on how many to transfer never having been pregnant. I know every pregnancy can be different, but I would still suggest that your decision should be more on the number of kids you want and how many you think you can care for at once if you feel confident in your body's ability to carry twins a second time. You also have factors such as how they are frozen (together or separate) that may affect your decision.

wille2b · February 2014

We have di/di twins after transferring 3 embryos last time. We have to excellent quality frosties and intend on putting them both back this summer. We are better prepared now and would gladly welcome 2 more even after the struggles of two babies!!

Raggedy1 · February 2014

My OB says I'd be fine to carry twins again, so that's not an issue. I'm not *terrified* of twins again.... DH actually WANTS twins again since he's loving our two so much. We are financially secure and do intend on having 3 or probably 4 children total. I think if our FET (1 or 2) does not work then we will be looking at international adoption to grow our family. The points made about how they are stored and if they survive the thaw are very valid and I hadn't yet considered that. I will def bring that up on our initial FET consult with our RE. Our frosties currently live in CA, and we do not anymore, so we will need to travel for transfer...

Jamie718 · February 2014

Our frosties were in CA too and we moved out of state. We considered traveling back for our FET, but ended up having them transferred to us instead. It cost us about $400 to rent the tank they are shipped in.

chickaboo1974 · February 2014

IF we were to cycle again- I would only do a SET. Not that I am terrified of twins- but just that I would want to experience a single newborn. OH and two members of my twin club each transferred 2 (after having fraternal twins) and each of them had fraternal twins again.

PurpleIris30 · February 2014

Raggedy1 said:
My OB says I'd be fine to carry twins again, so that's not an issue. I'm not *terrified* of twins again....

I think the risks you are considering are different than what most previous posters are talking about. Just because you've carried one twin pregnancy to term is absolutely no guarantee that you would be so lucky the second time. You're thinking about what life would be like with a second set of healthy, full term babies. That's important to consider - absolutely. But also consider the risks of carrying two or more and the medical issues they can have due to prematurity from being a twin-- it's not something to be dismissed as a blanket "not an issue" because you just don't know what will happen.

I don't want to be a downer or too negative or try to change your mind, but just trying to point out the different considerations beyond just loving to have a second set of twins.

Raggedy1 · February 2014

Our twins were TTTS, both born with a birth "defect" and spent 21 days in the NICU. I'm familiar with the risks of a twin pregnancy and birth. When i say my OB cleared me, i mean my OB says I am physically capable of carrying another twin pregnancy. I am not one of those naive women who trot on over here from TTC and announce they want twins. I'm also a vet of the bump and know that you're sounding quite condescending to me right now. I wanted to know what other women are choosing, and now that I have your opinion I'll chalk it up for a tally in the the SET column, thanks.
(Didn't use quote function because I have two babies in my arms and didn't feel like figuring out mobile quoting)

PurpleIris30 · February 2014

My apologies Raggedy if I came across as condescending- that was not my intent. I only mentioned those considerations because you didn't bring them up or otherwise acknowledge them in your responses. I'm sure you'll make the choice that's best for you and your future babies.

LittleLady77 · February 2014

We have 9 frosties. If we decide to grow our family after this it will be via SETs.

curlylocks3 · February 2014

We only have one frostie left, so the decision has been made for us since neither of us feel comfortable with me doing another fresh cycle at this point (they strongly suspected I had a blood clot in my leg the night before ER). I don't have a singleton pregnancy to compare this one too, but I will say its been far harder on my body than I anticipated. We hadn't been given great odds of both embryos sticking and they did- I don't think I'd feel comfortable transferring more than one in the future again.