# of embryos to transfer - WWYD?

What would you do with this medical history:

IVF #1 - transferred 2 embryos and got pregnant with twins. At 17 weeks, while sitting on the couch watching TV my water broke and I went to labor, and had to deliver 2 stillborn babies. Beyond traumatic.

IVF #2 - transferred 1 embryo and got pregnant with a singleton. Gave birth to a healthy baby.

Fast forward 2 years to now.

IVF #3 - transferred 1 embryo - BFN
IVF #4 - transferred 1 embryo - BFN

For IVF #5, RE is recommending I transfer 2 embryos for a higher probability of a BFP. I'm (obviously) terrified of twins again. I am 36 years old and not getting any younger. Don't want to do 10 more rounds of IVF but do want another child.

What would you do?

Message edited 10/25/2012 11:37:52 PM.

Re: # of embryos to transfer - WWYD?

If I was afraid of twins, I wouldnt transfer 2. It's a very difficutl and personal decision, I'm very sorry for your losses

# of embryos to transfer - WWYD?

I am also very sorry for your losses. It is a personal decision but if you will be worried, I would go with your gut.

Re: # of embryos to transfer - WWYD?

1

# of embryos to transfer - WWYD?

I would do one if I were you. I always do SETs.

Re: # of embryos to transfer - WWYD?

# of embryos to transfer - WWYD?

first off

i think it depends on your personal risk factors. if your risk for premature labor with twins is particularly MUCH higher due to your experience, i would consider transferring one again. however if your risk factor is no different than before, i would transfer 2. while the risk of twins is high with 2 embryos, there still is no guarantee. and your chances of twins is still lower than your chance of a singleton, even with 2 good embryos. however, if your desire is to avoid twins at all costs for whatever reasons - i would put back 1.

i know if it were me i wouldn't want to let the past control the future. if you are able to carry twins and would not mind having twins (being that you already have a child), i would go for 2 since the chances are better of ANY pregnancy with 2 embryos transferred (although the difference %-wise isnt THAT different).

# of embryos to transfer - WWYD?

This is a really tough decision. I think I would do 1 and discuss maybe a different protocol from your last 2 ivfs in order to hopefully improve your quality or whatever they feel the reason may be that they weren't successful. Good luck in whatever you decide

Message edited 10/24/2012 9:50:40 PM.

Re: # of embryos to transfer - WWYD?

I am so sorry for the loss of your babies! I cannot imagine how hard that was! I am trying to decide on 1 or 2 because I had cervix issues when pregnant with son and he was a premie. It is def a personal decision but I think you need to go with what your gut tells you. Wishing u all the best!!!!

Re: # of embryos to transfer - WWYD?

Posted by Wishes1111

This is a really tough decision. I think I would do 1 and discuss maybe a different protocol from your last 2 ivfs in order to hopefully improve your quality or whatever they feel the reason may be that they weren't successful. Good luck in whatever you decide

Re: # of embryos to transfer - WWYD?

Are these FETs you're having when you talk about all these IVF procedures? If you're worried about age, I might dive into a fresh cycle even if you have frosties so you can do the fresh while age is more on your side.

But if you think the m/c was attributed to the multiples pregnancy, then I would probably plug away with SET rather than increase the number of embryos.

# of embryos to transfer - WWYD?

I would transfer as many as you are comfy having...if you really do not want twins do a SET

Re: # of embryos to transfer - WWYD?

I struggle with this at every transfer (and there have been a lot of them). I have a t-shaped uterus, so we know that it would be best to not have twins (though many t-shapers have carried twins with no problems...its like a normal uterus carrying 3...and many have). But, every time I transfer 1 and it doesn't work I wonder what would have happened if we did do 2. You should talk to you RE and maybe a perinatalogist to discuss what if you did get pregnant with two. How could you avoid what happened last time (and I am so sorry for your loss...I cannot imagine how horrible that was for you and probably still is). Maybe a cerclage would help etc.... I don't know but its worth the discussion to help you with your decision. That is what I did. I am sure I confused the guy completely with knowing too much and all blurting out at once...LOL... it did help.

I agree with pp, if these are FET's I would feel more comfortable transferring 2 (as lower success rate), but a fresh is debatable. Though not that there aren't a ton of twins roaming the planet from a frozen FET, just that the odds are lower. On one cycle we (our RE and us) had decided if it was a 3dt we would do 2 and if a 5dt it would do only 1.

Good luck in your decision. But, you know a singleton transfer worked for you. Also, find out if because you've already had a full term pregnancy that maybe carrying twins is a lower risk. I have no idea honestly, but its something to look into.

Re: # of embryos to transfer - WWYD?

All these IVFs have been fresh cycles. None of my embryos ever made it to freeze - hard to believe since I always had at least 5 leftover after transfer.

Thanks for everyone's comments. 99% chance we will always do a SET going forward, but there's always that doubt when you get 2 BFNs in a row.

I will ask my RE about PGD. He changed my protocol a lot between IVF 3 and 4, so we'll see what it's in store for #5.

Re: # of embryos to transfer - WWYD?

Posted by FlowerWife

first off

i think it depends on your personal risk factors. if your risk for premature labor with twins is particularly MUCH higher due to your experience, i would consider transferring one again. however if your risk factor is no different than before, i would transfer 2. while the risk of twins is high with 2 embryos, there still is no guarantee. and your chances of twins is still lower than your chance of a singleton, even with 2 good embryos. however, if your desire is to avoid twins at all costs for whatever reasons - i would put back 1.

i know if it were me i wouldn't want to let the past control the future. if you are able to carry twins and would not mind having twins (being that you already have a child), i would go for 2 since the chances are better of ANY pregnancy with 2 embryos transferred (although the difference %-wise isnt THAT different).