One or two embryo transfer?

I have a question ... When the time came for you to decide how many to transfer (1 or 2?)....

Was this a decision made chiefly by your RE?

It seems the general recommendation is a single embryo transfer for women under 35.

Can you share your experience making this decision and your success?

Thanks so much :)

One or two embryo transfer?

I was 38 during both my ETs.

The first time we only had two, we transferred two.
The second time we had three and transferred three. I am pregnant with twin boys.

My doctor (Dr Zapantis) advised what he thought, but ultimately left the decision up to us. My husband and I agreed we'd always transfer two. We had age, MFI, and implantation issues working against us.

We transferred three the last time, because it was literally our last shot at IVF. We were out of pocket for all fertility treatments. Our doctor was fine with it, but would not have allowed us to transfer more than three.

In addition, DH and I had a frank discussion about selective reduction, but thankfully it didn't come to that.

One or two embryo transfer?

I was 28 for my first transfer and 34 for my second and third IVFs. IMO I would definitely transfer two. My first IVF (fresh) I transferred two excellent blasts and ended up having one perfect DD. My second IVF (fresh) I had two good blasts got pregnant and miscarried before sono. My last FET I only had one excellent blast left, got PG and miscarried again. Moral of the story is IMO if you are going to go through everything IVF entails I would definitely transfer two. FWIW we did IVF for male factor reasons.

Re: One or two embryo transfer?

One or two embryo transfer?

I think it depends on lots of different factors - in a particular quality.

IVF 1 (30) - 2 5 day poor quality embryos - bfn
IVF 2 (30) - 3 3 day okay embryos - bfn
IVF 3 (31) - 2 5 day excellent quality embryos - BFP resulting in DS

If we were to try for dc 2, I think I might only put one back; I'm honestly not sure if I could handle twins plus a toddler.

Message edited 6/2/2014 10:09:42 PM.

One or two embryo transfer?

Thank you all. DH and I have discussed this extensively and we think 2 is the better way to go but will speak to my RE to see what he thinks.

I'm assuming he will recommend only one but I hope it is a shared decision between us.

Re: One or two embryo transfer?

RE said 1. I figured we could transfer 2, and while RE wasn't encouraging it, he didn't go so far as to try to talk me out of it. He simply asked me if I felt I would be able to handle multiples, told me some risks of having multiples, and then dropped it.

After my retrieval, I had 4 fertilize and since I developed OHSS it was strongly recommended that I transfer 1 or wait a cycle. I opted for 1 and that 1 is now my miracle.
My other three didn't make it to freeze, so that was that.

Re: One or two embryo transfer?

The decision on how many to transfer usually depends on the quality of the embryos and any current conditions.
I have DOR - diminished ovarian reserve- so I always had fewer eggs of lower quality. I had two IVFs but both only yielded one embryo so we had only that choice but we were told by our RE that with my condition, we would transfer 2 or 3 to get a better chance,

Re: One or two embryo transfer?

I would only transfer the number you are ok taking home 9 months later. You seriously never know. It's easy to put stock in the negative, but when making that sort of decision I'd transfer assuming they all take, because what if they do?

One or two embryo transfer?

Thank you guys so much.

@pennycat- I totally agree with you that we must assume they will all take bc you never know!

I'm seeing my RE this week and will have a frank discussion about this topic. I do plan on indicating that I feel 2 is the better choice for me personally...

Hopefully I don't get shot down! and God willing I make enough quality embryos to implant 2.

Re: One or two embryo transfer?

I am 29 now but was 28 when I was going through IVF. We only did 1 cycle and were successful- I am currently 27 weeks pregnant with twins. The Dr. left the choice completely up to us but did make it clear that the choice was only between transferring 1 or 2 embryos. We were not persuaded any way at all by any Dr. we spoke to.

Good luck!

Re: One or two embryo transfer?

First ivf I was 32, transferred 2 and neither took. One was a bc blast other early blast.

Second ivf was around my 33 birthday, transferred 6aa and 6ab, one took and I have dd.

One or two embryo transfer?

I am 34 and no results yet. But my first IVF I listened to my doctor and transferred one 5 day blast, and it didn't take.

Going into this freeze I planned on insisting on 2, but since I have 6 frozen he agreed with me.

Re: One or two embryo transfer?

Just a thought that doctors don't really bring up- the identical twinning rate is 3 percent with ivf, and only one percent in the general population. Ancillary procedures such as icsi and assisted hatching are thought to increase the risk as the embryo shell is manipulated thus making it more inclined to split. So it's a big increase... Believe me I know! That's how I got my triplets - as I like to say, two went in, three came out :) good luck!

Message edited 6/3/2014 8:48:42 PM.

Re: One or two embryo transfer?

We did 1 fresh transfer and 1 frozen transfer... On the first transfer, our embryos were great and the RE fought us tooth and nail to only transfer one..... I won the battle, we transferred 2 of our best and got NONE!!!

With the frozen cycle, I had my RE (since he wasn't the one doing the transfer, it was going to be the same MD as the first transfer) specifically write that were were approved to transfer two.... and now we are until Friday when we find out the genders...

A couple of things influenced our decision...

I am 33 but very overweight so I was on the fence about possibly carrying twins but have enough of a medical background to fully understand the risks for BP issues, GD, cervix issues, etc......

We are Out of Pocket...so it was costing a large chunk of change for every transfer so DH and I were more inclined to maximize our investment if you know what I mean!!

My RE, who I had been seeing for a little over a year, was completely comfortable with transferring two and was confident that I would be able to physically handle two....

Good luck!

Re: One or two embryo transfer?

I am 43 and in perfect health. I transferred three perfect AA embryos. Only one stuck. I went in for my 8 wk sonogram and the development arrested at 6 wks 2 days.

My RE suggested that I transfer three since he knew I really wanted twins. I did freeze embryos but I am going to do another fresh cycle before I embark on FETs. Hopefully the second IVF cycle will go well. I will transfer three again, if I have three...

Re: One or two embryo transfer?

DH and I are contemplating the same thing right now. Our first IVF cycle was a BFN. We only put 1 back in for the first cycle. We are going to start a FET and think we might put back 2 this time. My RE really hasn't recommended 1or 2. He just recites back statistics and possible issues that can occur due to multiples. He did say that he wouldn't put back 3.

Re: One or two embryo transfer?

I have done three transfers with 1 embryo. They resulted in two miscarriages and BFN. I put back one because that is what my RE recommended. I switched doctors on my 4th try and i put back two. I am now 12 weeks with a one baby. My new doctor never likes to put back one, he said two gives you a much better chance that one will take. Good luck!

Re: One or two embryo transfer?