Deciding how many embryos to use

[W8ing4ours]

Hi everyone. I'm having a hard time deciding how many embryos to use this cycle. My husband has low count, low morph, the Dr. only gave us 1% of ever conceiving on our own. That being said, I am 30 years old (DH is 31) and I couldn't be more "normal", I ovulate every month, reg cycle, good hormone levels etc. Its been 4 years since we started trying, had a failed double IUI in November and another in January. This is our first IVF cycle, I am on stim day 8 and today I had 8 follicles that were 16-19, and about 6 more "smaller ones". I think tomorrow will be my trigger and retrieval on Tuesday. My Dr is "strongly recommending" that I only use one embryo. I'm glad he is so confident, but this process has taken so much out of me physically and emotionally, i just cant stand the thought of only putting one embryo in, and then finding out it didn't work. Anyone out there with success from only one? or any advice on how to come to terms with making this decision?

 

[Mrs G]

Hi

I had 2 put back. I think all clinics push for SET as they are under pressure to reduced their multiples rates. I always wanted 2. I don't know if they can refuse based on your age and that it is your first cycle, they couldn't with me cos I was 35. I was like you, "normal" wacko:!!), but we also had low count and morphology. Having said that we got 5 good fertilised eggs, 4 made it to 4 cell and 2 were put back. One didn't make it though, I guess there is no knowing why.

All I can say to you hun is you have to be happy with the decision you make. For me, I couldn't live with the "what if's" of SET and if we had had twins we would have coped (somehow!!)

Don't let them pressure you. I think you have to also see what happens with fertilisation, they might change their recommendations based on that.

Lots of luck

xx

PS have they not recommended ICSI due to count/morph?

 

[W8ing4ours]

Oh sorry I didn't say that, yes, we are doing ICSI. I didn't want to go through all of this and knowing what we know about DH, I knew we needed to do ICSI. Thank you for responding, I can't tell you how this forum has helped me. Infertility and even more IVF, is just something that people do not understand unless they have been there. I find more comfort reading these posts than anything else. DH and I are leaning towards two, and I agree that it feels like "they" don't want multiples, but I would be so blessed to have twins!

 

[Deeni]

Hi! I elected a single embryo transfer on day 5. It was a tough decision especially because the Dr. was pushing for two. There were a bunch of factors that helped me make that decision...1) I didn't want to carry multiples as I am pretty small and I really didn't want twins. 2) We have unexplained infertility so there was nothing that made me think one wouldn't take. 3) We were able to take a number of our embryos to blast stage so we knew we would likely have some to freeze for future cycles if this one didn't work. 4) Most important of all....I just went with my instinct and it was telling me to just put back one. Luckily the one embryo implanted and we will be having our baby in about 5 weeks. We still have 4 frozen blasts to use if we decide to try for #2. I know it is a hard decision and I really wish you lots of luck.

 

[psp2011]

Hi! We have had 3 embryos put back in 2 different times now! Scary right?! It was not even something we really thought about at first. The first time I was 25 and it was the FS who suggested it. They usually do 2-3 for a person my age. One of them took and we have a 7 year old now! The last round I had in Jan we did 3 also and none of them took. I am now 34 and multiples scares me but FS said 2-3% chance of carrying triplets so I said ok to give us the best chance. We have kind of come to realize we would love to have twins so we will probably go with 3 again on our next and last try next month (if we are lucky enough to have that many since we are going to try fresh again.) It's such a tough call and a personal one based on your own situation. Good luck!

 

[Please]

Hi! We have no choice as we are NHS funded in the UK (which I am so grateful for) we have to follow the rules, if u are under 37 and its ur first go they will only put 1 back. I'm really fine with this, they have figures that quote by putting 2 embryos back it only increases the success rate by 5% but the chance of twins increases to 25%. However if I had the choice I'm sure I would push for 2 . Best of luck x

 

[tansey]

I went to a talk from our clinics head embryologist and she explained all about SET and showed us facts and figures and you have just as much chance to conceive with only having 1 put back these days. Also we all luv the idea of twins but there are many risks for babies and mothers.
For your 1st go I would have 1 put back if the doc is suggesting that but of course it is up to you. Good luck

 

[W8ing4ours]

Thank you for all the replies! We ended up going back to have another ultrasound today, its looking more like we'll end up with at least 10 eggs for the retrieval. The dr wants me to wait to trigger until tomorrow night, so that would make the retrieval Wednesday morning. I think our best bet is to wait and see how many fertilize this week and depending on the quality of the embryos we can make a more educated decision. Also, today the RN that did my ultrasound today was telling me all about delayed learning and increased risk of disabilities in multiples, etc. My husband asked me "what would be the worst outcome of this situation?" and my immediate answer was "if it doesn't work" and he just looked at me and said "no, if we end up with unhealthy babies".

Oh my, this question is so much harder than it once seemed...

Anyhow, to hear how different people came to make this hard decision has really helped me. Thank you all.

 

[gilkar]

Thank you for all the replies! We ended up going back to have another ultrasound today, its looking more like we'll end up with at least 10 eggs for the retrieval. The dr wants me to wait to trigger until tomorrow night, so that would make the retrieval Wednesday morning. I think our best bet is to wait and see how many fertilize this week and depending on the quality of the embryos we can make a more educated decision. Also, today the RN that did my ultrasound today was telling me all about delayed learning and increased risk of disabilities in multiples, etc. My husband asked me "what would be the worst outcome of this situation?" and my immediate answer was "if it doesn't work" and he just looked at me and said "no, if we end up with unhealthy babies".

Oh my, this question is so much harder than it once seemed...

Anyhow, to hear how different people came to make this hard decision has really helped me. Thank you all.

Honestly, I did ISCI had three embryos put back, got one baby girl. She's 20 months and perfect. I'd put two back, I know you are 8 years younger than I, but a failure is worse than twins. My second ISCI doesn't look so favorabel. Go for my 2WW blood test tomorrow. However, neg. hpt today.

 

[W8ing4ours]

Gilkar, why are you feeling bad about this cycle? Just because of the hpt? Don't lose hope, you know how much your levels can vary this early! I will be holding out hope for you!!

 

[gilkar]

Thank you for all the replies! We ended up going back to have another ultrasound today, its looking more like we'll end up with at least 10 eggs for the retrieval. The dr wants me to wait to trigger until tomorrow night, so that would make the retrieval Wednesday morning. I think our best bet is to wait and see how many fertilize this week and depending on the quality of the embryos we can make a more educated decision. Also, today the RN that did my ultrasound today was telling me all about delayed learning and increased risk of disabilities in multiples, etc. My husband asked me "what would be the worst outcome of this situation?" and my immediate answer was "if it doesn't work" and he just looked at me and said "no, if we end up with unhealthy babies".

Oh my, this question is so much harder than it once seemed...

Anyhow, to hear how different people came to make this hard decision has really helped me. Thank you all.

Honestly, I did ISCI had three embryos put back, got one baby girl. She's 20 months and perfect. I'd put two back, I know you are 8 years younger than I, but a failure is worse than twins. My second ISCI doesn't look so favorabel. Go for my 2WW blood test tomorrow. However, neg. hpt today.

 

[Ttcne]

My RE is pushing for two as the rate of pregnancy is so much higher, from her experience anyway. I am an OB nurse and take care of moms pregnant with multiples while they are pregnant so I see first hand what happens when something goes wrong. Obviously this is skewed as we only see those who have problems as a routine course before they deliver. She says that she will leave it up to us but thinks that in our case (I am 30 and dh is 33 with low counts and 0% morph needing ICSI) it would be the best option. If money were no object I would definitely elect to do 1 on the first try but I am not sure what I will decide as its a lot of money to decide wrong.

 

[Flake-y]

Hi there,

Single embryo transfer success story right here!

I had 17 eggs but only 3 fertilised, & on day 3 I had two 8-cells & one 4-cell; I was told I had a 50% chance of pregnancy with one embryo, and 60% with two embryos, so I went with one 8-cell embryo & as you can see from my ticker it worked!!! The other two embies made it to blast & are in the freezer.

Personally, I'd rather do a single embryo transfer, I know and have heard of a few people who have had multiples with serious complications, and even babies dying. And multiples are pretty much always premature, which comes with its own complications. I think I'd rather go through a failed cycle than deal with the loss of a baby or have a very ill premature baby.

I'm very glad I only had one embie transferred, I'm over the moon with my one baby & will hopefully use my blasts for FET in the future.

Although in some cases it is better to put 2 embryos back, if the quality isn't so good or if there are other reasons like previous failed cycles. It just depends on how things go really.

But it does work with only one!!! Good luck for your cycle!!!