Single Embryo Transfer

[LWalker]

Hello everyone I have a ? I am doing IVF for the first time with Dr. Jerald Goldstein at Presbyterian Plano. He spoke to me about doing a single embryo transfer and I was wondering if anybody has ever done this electively. I have a friend who did this with him and is pregnant.

[Ghost]

In the United States, roughly 1 percent of transfers were elective single embryo transfers in 2004. Maybe a little more than that by now, as it seems a growing trend.

Just IMO, I'd do the single transfer thingy.

[JustinesBaby]

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[kristiA]

Like Justine said, it's a personal preference on what you want to risk. You have to weight the risks of increasing your chances of getting pg, compared to the increased risks of multiples.

My doc told me (and of course this was based on my circumstances like age (I'm 34), fertility history (endometreosis), quality of embryos (I had 3 good ones) etc) that if I transferred one I would have a 15-20% chance of getting pg. If I transferred two, I would have 30-40% chance of getting pg with one and 10% chance of pg with twins. If I transferred all three I would have 40-50% chance of pg with one, 20% chance of pg with twins, and 5% chance of pg with triplets.

It was a tough decision whether to transfer 2 or 3 for me. I opted to transfer 3 and got pg with twins on my first IVF. Because of the money, time, emotinal energy I was spending on IVF I didn't want to just do one. And because I was ok with the chance of multiples (would love twins, but triplets scared me) and wanted to increase my chances of getting pg at all, I went ahead did 3.

Good luck on your decision!

[AMD]

I did IVF at Presbyterian Plano, too, but with Dr. Douglas. The first time, it was recommended that I transfer two and I got pregnant with one. I have never known anyone to opt for transferring only one unless that was the only good quality embryo available. I have always heard to transfer two. I myself have questioned whether or not to transfer one or two with my FET cycle. Not sure what the recommended procedure is for that, but with a fresh cycle, I think I would have to agree with the group that it is all up to your personal preference.

[Ghost]

There is a growing trend toward single embryo transfers. The two main forces behind it are (1) the well-known increased rate of abnormalities with multiple births, and (2) the recent discovery of the "vanishing twin" effect, in which even the early failure of a sibling embryo has negative effects on the remaining embryo(s).

That's why I'd recommend the single embryo transfer.

[Moritsha]

Hi all. My clinic in Aberdeen, Scotland are doing a big research project into 1 versus 2 embryo tranfers. If you choose to go on the trial it's a random selection of transferring 1 0r 2 embies. (In Britain if you're under 40 yrs you are only allowed to transfer a max of 2). I chose not to go on that trial coz I want to maximise my chances (although it's really mind over matter with me). I am on the research trials for embryo freezing using a different technique and we've allowed our embies which are of poor quality to go to stem cell research ( the embies would have been disgarded anyway).
Ghost - I think you're great that you give lots of super advice!
Good luck to us all. Paula x

[tintintti]

Hello,

I am undergoing IVF treatment in Finland. My clinic has policy of transferring only one embryo at time unless some specific reasons. They have done this few years now and success rates are in same level as in double transfers, but they are experiencing less complications and miscarriages. So, I think this one embryo transfer policy may become more and more popular.