embryo transfer - 2 or 3?

Nina1 · Post by **Nina1** » Mon Dec 02, 2002 9:50 pm

God , we're having a dilemma. We're due for e/c next week, with e/t a couple of days later. Last time we transferred 2 embies. It didn't work. We don't yet know what our eggs or embies are going to be like this time, but if we have good ones, should we try 3? It would surely increase our chances of having one success. But the risks of 3 implanting, and all the nightmare dangers to babies and mother are so serious. On the other hand, the chances of 3 implanting are so, so low. We want to be clear in our minds about what we're deciding to do and why, but it's so difficult. How has anyone else reached a decision? Nina

woppa · Post by **woppa** » Mon Dec 02, 2002 9:57 pm

Hi there Have never been offered a choice on how many to have put back--always been told 2. We have 3 frozen and hopefully will go for FET in the new year. If all 3 defrost I'm in a dilemma too as I would hate to think what they would do with the extra one !! But then I'm strange --I can't even split up a bunch of bananas in case they miss their friends in the bunch --weirdo I know !!! But just to confuse you even more--my friend in USA had 10 put back in !!! She now has one wee boy !! God help her if all 10 would have took !!! sorry couldn't help you love woppa xxxxxxxx

tshepher · Post by **tshepher** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 9:49 am

Nina Can't be much help I'm afraid because the majority you can have put back in my area is two, they wont increase to 3 unless you are over 40 and had multiple failures - Purely for the increased risk factor of all 3 taking in younger women. It's a tough call, and given the choice I'm sure I'd be in the same place as you. Good Luck whatever you decide. LOL Terri xxxx

anna13 · Post by **anna13** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 10:18 am

Hi Nina, Most clinics would put 2 back and only do 3 in special circumstances. I've had 2 put back for my 1st and 3rd try and 3 put back for my second one; DH and I are going for the 4th try in the next year and we will have three put back(I am 37 and it would be our 4th try)...... If they had allowed 4/5/6 to be put back in this country,might have done that too!!!!!! Anyway,best of luck with the ec,et and the 2ww. love, Anna.

Lissa · Post by **Lissa** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 10:19 am

Yikes - what dangers to young(ish) women with three being put back. Both times I have had three put back and no risks were explained to me. I am on my second go with three in (day 4), first time round didn't work. If I have sextuplets then so be it! Do I mean that?! So desperate now don't care! I didn't think twice about putting three in as I wasn't told there were risks. Call me niave but there you go. Let me know what decision you come to. Good luck Lissa x

tshepher · Post by **tshepher** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 12:57 pm

Hi Lissa Just meant the "risk" of all 3 taking hold and then ending-up with triplets or more. Depending on your point of view this could also be a blessing :-0 Didn't mean to scare you Hope you're feeling ok Terri xxx

andreaj · Post by **andreaj** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 6:38 pm

Nina, When we started, we were told that the decision of how many embryos that were going to be put back would rest with the embryologist, and would depend on how many, and the quality. In the end, I had 3 put back (only got 5 eggs, and 4 of them fertilised).The clinic explained that because of my age (37) they were going to implant 3 to maximise my chances; and that although there was a chance that all 3 might implant, it was a very, very small chance. I suppose that if we'd really objected, they would only have implanted two, but I went with what they suggested. In the end, it as all academic, as none of them implanted. Best of luck, however many they use. Andrea

Savannah · Post by **Savannah** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 10:00 pm

Hi Nina, I can't help you I'm affraid, but I did see a program last week called 'Baby Business' and they were talking about the same problem. Did anyone else see it? There is a clinic in London who do any number (I think??? I might be exagerating if he meant more than 3?????) They were also saying that in the future, only one embryo will be put back because of the expense to the NHS when all three or both take. You can tell someone who has no idea about this is making the laws! Better get in QUICK!! Anyway, Good luck, please let us know how you get on!!!!!! Savannah

Lucy · Post by **Lucy** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 10:19 pm

Hi Nina This is a really tough call and only you and your DH can make the choice. I have had 5 attempts at IVF/ICSI and have had 3 embryos put back once but all the other times it has been 2 only. My clinic give me the choice. My embryos have been mostly good and we even made it to the blast stage last time. I suggest reading up on multiple pregnancy and it should help you make your mind up. We all want to maxamise our chances but I spent the entire two week wait panicing about having had three embryos put back and it can't have done me any good at all. Best of luck Lucy

Nina1 · Post by **Nina1** » Wed Dec 04, 2002 9:46 pm

Hi all, Thank you for your replies. We've thought and thought, and today I did the sensible thing of asking my clinic about it when I went for my scan. Basically they said they'd only transfer 3 in exceptional circumstances (not sure what those would be - aren't all our circumstances exceptional??). And, like you said you did, Andrea, we'd have a session with the embryologist and the doctor after fertilisation to assess the number and quality of the embryos. Also, I thought masses about what you said, Lucy, and if I thought I was going to worry about transferring 3 (which I probably would after all the stuff I've read about multiple births etc), then I'd feel safer just going for the 2 option. Anyway, this is all theoretical at this stage, as we haven't even got to e/c stage yet. Gotta think about these things though - thank you for helping! Nina

pru · Post by **pru** » Fri Dec 06, 2002 10:33 pm

It's hard to say what to do, I had 3 put back as my embryos were not bad but not great either. Only one implanted and on top of that split so I am having twins. I am 9 weeks and my last scan was fine so just praying immensely that everything will be ok.

mands · Post by **mands** » Sat Dec 07, 2002 10:59 am

Hi pru Congratulations on your +ve. I'm curious how they knew your embryo split rather than two implanted. Take Care Mandsxx

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