Any NHS IVF 1st timers had 2 embies put back?

[teapot]

Hi Girls,

Just wondering if any first time IVF/ICSI people were let have more than one embie put back?

I had EC yesterday & only got 2 eggs/from one ovary. The doctor reckoned a couple of the other follies may have ruptured before they got to them & it was too risky to try & retreive from my 2nd ovary.

Both fertilised overnight, but the embryologist said they'll only put one back tomorrow (day 2) & try to freeze the other.

I might be being a spoilt brat about this, but I think that because there's only 2, that a 2 day transfer won't let us know which is the strongest, so I'd like both put back. We also don't have the pennies to pay for a 2nd cycle.

The embryologist just said that it wasn't her call to make & that it was NHS policy due to my age (34 for another 3 weeks).

Any stories anyone?? ...at my consent signing, I was told the issue could be discussed at the time. According to the embryologist this morning, it's not open for discussion.

Thanks in advance for any advice. xx

 

[hayley1982]

I very much doubt youll be allowed since hfea brought the new law in.but id ask as you are 34 and they usually only do a one embie et for younger patients.maybe its because its your first treament.

 

[beauty]

NHS rules are unfair but most do only replace 1 embryo if your under 35 x

 

[Helen76]

Hey Teapot,

I don't see how it can be a NHS rule. I'm 34 and at my first attempt in August they said because of the quality of the embryos I'd be better off having 2 put back in which I did (and ended up with a chem pregnancy).

The 'rules' at my clinic are that if you have enough quality eggs to freeze (3 I think they class as enough) and if it's your first attempt and you're under 35 then they recommend you only take one but I know I could have had 2 if I'd have been in that situation and asked for the 2.

I would stick to your guns and ask for the 2 to be put back in.

H xx

 

[jojo55]

Hi Teapot
I was in a similar position, although I got 8 eggs only 2 fertilised and I had a 2 day transfer. When I got the call the embryologist said that if they were poor quality then I can put both back in. On the transfer day they said that both had been graded 3 and were good (they said they never give a grade 1) and still asked if I wanted both put back in (one was a 4 cell and one a 3 cell). I agreed and signed the consent forms so I cant see why you cant have both put back in too. I am only 29 and this is my 1st attempt. Unless they were lying and they were poor or they only really put one in?? hmm. I presume they asked me for both to be put back in as the chance of one of them making it to freeze was poor??
I would push it on the day xx

 

[teapot]

Jojo, I notice you're in the midlands ...Is wasn't B'ham Womens was it?

 

[jojo55]

No I went to Coventry for my treatment hun xx

 

[jojo55]

Apart from them not being the two embies back (but hopefully they will) what do you think of your treatment at the womens as if this cycle is unsuccessful - which I think it isnt going to be as I am feeling very 'periody' at the moment - I might change to womens as I have to pay anyway as was not totally impressed with Coventry if im honest!

Good luck for tomorrow hun x

 

[bugs]

Hi hun I went private at the Liverpool Womens and my friend was NHS at the same hospital and we both had to argue to have 2 put back, They said they prefer'd to put 1 but it was ultimately our own decision we are both 28 and both had day 3 transfers with perfect embryo's so you might have to stand your ground it pisses me off that they do it to make the stats look good. Mine sadly ended in an ectopic but my friend has just found out she's having twins so it's definately worth the fight xxx Good Luck

 

[beauty]

If it is NHS then the NHS make the RULES.. It is crap but they are really trying to cut down on multiple births.. (so normally they just make you do 1 replaced unless its FET and they normally say 2)

This would of been the case for us if we were NHS however if your private you CAN get to opt for 2 which we did.. That is the bonus of going private even my consultant said that.. However even with 1 replaced your still in with a good chance of a BFP hun so please dont let it get you down.

These days your so lucky to get NHS funding with IVF we cant get it and most areas have really cut down on the funding of treatment.. Even when you have frozen embroys i think your PCT will even cover you to do FET as well so it is good that your getting help with the treatment.

Hope things go well for you.. xx

 

[teapot]

Hi Jojo,

Birmingham Womens have been fine, can't fault them on care levels, but if we need a 2nd go (which will have to be private), and can afford it, I plan to travel to Care or Nurture in Nottingham. ...purely because they have better success stats. A friend of my sisters researched the region in depth last year.

Beauty, Congratulations on your PG. I realise that some see us as lucky to get an NHS go - (although both of us have paid National Insurance & tax for 20 years & have never needed anything else thankfully).
Could you have appealed to your PCT? If you fit Nice criteria, you would probably have been succesfull - my sister is a Doc & some of her friends are GP's & know of a lot of women who have successfully challenged their PCT's.

I just thought it was a waste to try & freeze one out of a total of two. As it happens, the 2nd one hasn't survived so there isn't the possibility of an FET.

Thanks everyone for your replies. It was interesting to hear the differences across the country.
Best of luck girls. x