Advice: How many embryos did you transfer?

[esperanza]

Hello everyone,

My partner and I are about to go through our first IVF cycle. This week we went to meet with our doctor to talk about specific steps/protocol, etc.

Before going to the appointment, my partner and I had pretty much made up our minds about trying to conceive twins (we are doing IVF because my tubes are not functioning the way they should, everything else is just fine for both of us). While talking to the doctor he indicated that we have a really high chance for IVF to work the first time around, and that his recommendation is to transfer only one embryo. He went on to talk about all the possible complications with twin pregnancies and so on; in short, he was pretty discouraging about the idea of going for twins

I'm ok with having one baby (after all we've gone through, having one baby will be a miracle!), however, my concern is with the idea of just transferring one embie...how about if that single embryo doesn't stick? wouldn't our chances be higher if we transferred two?

I need some advice. Your stories are welcomed.

[ICSI GIRL]

ya know --- while i can't personally attest to HOW MANY IT TOOK FOR ME (cuz i've only done 1 round....and bfn for me).......but i have to say that for as much as i've had to fork out in CASH ---- i would never not put back atleast TWO....... my doc has certain guidelines he uses and for me (thought my prognosis was VERY HIGH for bfp round one as well) - he would have put back up to 3 for ME.....but we opted for only 2 --- which was good for us at the time cuz the 3rd (and only other one) was fragmented and so we decided against......ANYWAY ----- if you're like any of us out here........ i would GLADLY take all the troubles that come w/ multiples (2, 3, 4 - i'm up for it!!!!) if it means HAVING A BABY don't know that my my post will help with your decision --- but whatever you and partner decide to do ---- don't let doc talk you out of what you already know you'd be comfortable with.......

[Anie]

Hello.

I can understant how you must be feeling.

I had my embryo transfer on sunday.We had 2.

When i had my first appointment, my doctor also explain me everything about the risk of having twins but he also said that with 2 there are more chances.

To be honest im not ready for twins but even though we decided that we would transfer two.

At the end go with your instinct. If you wish two to be transfered and just say it to your doctor. The final word is yours! Unless....you get only 1 embryo good enough to be transfered.

Good Luck.
Anie

[JustinesBaby]

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[yarnista]

If I were you and you want it I would insist on putting 2 back. You are the one that would have to deal with a multiple pregnancy not the doctor. On our second attempt we were thinking to put 3 back but our RE talked us out of it because he believed all 3 would take or we wouldn't get pregnant. Then he explained the risks involved with triplets.
I was pregnant with twins and we were so excited. Then I lost one at 8 weeks so now I kind of wish we had put back 3. You don't know what could happen but I would want 2 to increase my chances if I were you. If I had only put back one I may have lost that one and we definitely don't have the 25,000 that it would cost to do it all again. I also wouldn't want to go through all the emotional ups and downs that you go through during a cycle. I hope everything works out the way you want it to. Best of luck to you.

[2ndtimer]

Go for 2. It's your choice. If you MD is adamant, switch doctors. I was also told that I had a "great" chance for IVF to work the first time. Well here I am going through the 3rd IVF cycle with no baby yet.
2ndtimer

[esperanza]

Thank you so much for your words of advice and for sharing your stories with me. Now I feel more confident about my decision. I will talk to the doctor again and tell him what I think. Blessings to you all.

[Kabillion]

Transfer 2! I did and it resulted in twins. I was 37 at the time and besides horrible morning sickness I had a beautiful pregnancy.

[gekasbaby]

Yes, I would say transfer at least two. The odds are better. Good look.

[Ghost]

One is ideal. Two if you really insist on taking the extra risk. More than two is usually a bad idea at age 30.

[kismet1003]

Hi.
I am 31 and did my first IVF cycle in Aug/Sep, got a BFN 9/28. We have slight male factor and my RE said I was perfect for IVF and was sure it was going to work. We put back 2 blasts and got a negative. I would say you need to do what feels right to you and insist on what you want, it is your decision alone, not your drs.
Good luck to you!

[TansRN]

Hi I have been through IVF and I would say go for two embryos. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I am 30 weeks preggo with twins and I wouldnt change it for the world. I already love the babies so much and i consider it a two for one deal! LOL The docs take really good care of you and so many women have twins its not like it is a super rare-ity these days ya know. People know how to medically treat you. For what we have to go though with this IVF stuff I would totally go for two.

[Ghost]

The industry is progressing toward single embryo transfers.

Physicians will push for this often over the patient's wishes because:

1. The patient is considered potentially irrational in her desire to have a child immediately, and may be overly willing to ignore risks.

2. The rate of complications rises dramatically with twins and even more dramatically with triplets. There is an impact even if one of the twins is lost early in the pregnancy.

3. Although twins sound wonderful, the extra burden of raising twins is significant. It's more work, more stress, and much more expensive. The rate of divorce, for example, is greater after twin birth than after singleton birth.

4. With steadily improving success rates with frozen embryos, there is less need to focus only on the fresh transfer. We can transfer just one, and the rest are still good for additional transfers if the first does not work, or if more children are desired later. It's not a one-shot deal.