Ivf: should I transfer 1 or 2 embryos?

[EasterBunny7]

Hello, I am on my third ivf cycle (frozen), with four years ttc and three miscarriages, age 34.

I have to make a decision whether to transfer one or two embryos by next week, and I can't settle on a decision. Some days I'm certain what to do and then I sway back the other way! I wanted to run it past you all to gather more opinions?

The clinic have said they will allow me two embryos: I don't meet the criteria where they would outright refuse me so if I want to, I can.

They obviously highlighted that they follow government guidelines and it's their policy to keep multiple births to a minimum. They also reiterated the risks of a multiple pregnancy.

The reason why I'm considering it because my embryos do not make it beyond 5/6 weeks and so I don't have high hopes for future cycles either. I hope that if I do two, I save myself another cycle: both money and time, if at least one were to stick!

We are completely open to the idea of twins, but hearing about the risks and reading stuff on the internet makes me fall back again.

What do you think?

I have twins from IVF - 4th transfer after 7 miscarriages/ectopics

I love having twins! It's amazing! I'd do it all
Again tomorrow if I could. But these aren't my first children so I'm one of the few that actually finds having twins easy - most twin mums I know who had twins first never had more kids and found it much harder than I have.

Only do it if you are prepared mentally physically and financially to raise multiples and bear in mind you could just as easily have triplets from a double transfer as twins

I did find pregnancy hard - I was pretty much on sofa rest from 20 weeks and we all nearly died at 34 weeks from a detached placenta but I know plenty of twin mums who had a very easy pregnancy and went to full term with no issues

I'd do the double transfer but I'm biased 😂

@EasterBunny7 I gave this a lot of thought during my final cycle having had two chemicals and an MC. I decided that I would transfer 2 however in the end I only had 1 make it to blast so the choice was removed.

Have they made any changes to your protocol bearing in mind your previous losses? And have they done any blood tests for example mini thrombophilia screen, lupus anticoagulant? Given my history I was given extra progesterone, aspirin and prednisolone (a low dose steriod) and fortunately that little embryo stuck.

@snowdropsanddaffodils

It's terrifying to hear that you and your babies nearly died! How did you know something was wrong?

I also cannot believe you managed two other children on top of being pregnant and then raising twins.

You mentioned sofa rest/bed rest. That's something I think about. I work from home: is it possible to continue working whilst on bed rest? What does bed rest really look like on a day to day?

I really am holding on to the fact that you've said you know plenty of others that made it through without problems.

@Weswoo

I am sorry that you didn't get the chance to choose two embryo transfers but in the end, it's amazing that your single one stuck! That is, after all, the dream! I am hoping you have your baby now?

My investigations came back clean but I will be put on aspirin, clexane and prednisolone this time round.

@EasterBunny7 yes my baby us here now my investigations came back clear too so I'll never know if the extra meds were what made the difference but thought it certainly wouldn't hurt to try - sounds like your clinic have it covered! Good luck with your FET!

@EasterBunny7
I had massive bleeds from 28 weeks so was in and out of hospital - one of my twins was much smaller than the other - half the size so was being checked regularly - I happened to be in hospital anyway when I had another and I haemorrhaged and it wouldn't stop. Husband couldn't get to the hospital due to covid so I had them alone. Babies spent 3 weeks in NICU but I was home after 2 nights so that was also hard being away from them

I was pregnant during the lockdowns obviously which really helped as I WFH throughout literally up to the day they were born. I usually travel a lot for work but I found it difficult to drive long distances after 20 weeks so then worked from my sofa for the rest of the pregnancy. I found it painful to walk long distances or stand too much - I'm pretty petite so 2 babies put a lot of strain on my pelvis and my bump would hurt a lot if I over did it. My resting heart rate went from 67 to 110

Have to say though I didn't get any stretch marks 🥳 and actually having twins is the best diet I've ever been on! I breastfed both (pumped milk for them whilst they were in NICU) and was back to pre pregnancy weight within 3 weeks - I didn't limit myself whilst i was pregnant either and definitely enjoyed eating for 3! I've since lost a further stone just because I don't have a time to eat or sit down ha!

It is relentless - I went back to work full time when they were 20 weeks as I'm the main earner - we use an amazing childminder who they love - but I exist on about 4 hours sleep maximum - financially we took a £25k 10 year bank loan to pay for childcare for the first 3 years until they get the 30 hours

But god I love having twins! They are worth every sleepless night and empty bank account

@EasterBunny7 I have just done my third fresh cycle as unfortunately have never had any embryos to freeze. I am 35 & my third cycle I was left with 2 embryos by day 5 but of very low quality so they said they wouldn't freeze them when they called me the morning of transfer but did say they could transfer both if we wanted so I agreed as I didn't want it to just be discarded. I'm now 4dp5dt so just waiting to see 🤞🤞🙏🏻🙏🏻

For me personally and being under 40, I would go with 1 to transfer. Xx

It all depends on your age as well, I'm 40 so if given the opportunity I would transfer 2 but it all depends. Also, how many embryos do you have on ice?

@Weswoo great news

@snowdropsanddaffodils

I feel terribly nervous hearing about what you've been through! But amazing that you all made it through safe and sound in the end.

It's lovely to hear all the little positives you've mentioned. I'm glad you managed to make arrangements that worked for you and get back to work. Wishing you all the happiness with your twins!

@Reefy

Excited for you and would love to get an update from you on how things turn out. I may be joining you soon in the next week. Stay in touch!

@Bubblesdublin thanks for the feedback

@IsabelHerna I am under 40 but don't believe my embryos to be of great quality. Currently, I'm leaning towards a double transfer after thinking about it over the last few days.

@EasterBunny7 I will do. Good luck 🤞😊 💫

@EasterBunny7 Then go for it, if it's in your mind and you don't do it you'll regret it, so go ahead. keeping everything crossed it goes well x When are you starting?

@IsabelHerna

Thank you!

I had a set back . My uterus lining did not grow so they increased my dosage and I hope to see some progress tomorrow. Fingers crossed, I get through to embryo transfer this time.

@EasterBunny7 good luck with whatever decision you go with.l & hope the lining is good for tomorrow. Unfortunately it's was a BFN for us.

Oh @Reefy I am so terribly sorry to hear that! My heart goes out to you. I know how excruciatingly painful it is to see it not work out after all that time, effort, energy and stress we put into ivf. I really hope you are able to try again!

@EasterBunny7 thank you. Yes we will but I need to have a break & might go on holiday. It was the last of our nhs funding so we need to sort out a package of what we want to do.

I had a single transfer and that embryo split which has resulted in twins. Currently 20 weeks pregnant with identical twins. It is very rare for a single embryo to split. But just wanted to make you aware this can happen too.

Hope everything goes well for you

@Donimo

Congratulations on your pregnancy and twins! Of course, I'm aware of identical twins but when your embryos fail to thrive beyond 6 weeks and you hardly ovulate over 4 years, you start thinking your personal chances of that are much lower.

How are you finding your pregnancy? Would be interested to learn more about twin pregnancies. I've tried looking for forums on mumsnet but a lot of it is focused on symptom spotting to figure out if it's twins rather than information on how the pregnancy is progressing.

I had awful sickness until 17 weeks, ended up in hospital on a couple of occasions. And also lost 3kg in weight.

But my twins seem to be doing well despite this. There are different type of twins where they can have have either a placenta each or share one. As my twins are sharing a placenta the risk is slightly more than if they had 1 each.

I am being monitored by a consultant at a regional hospital (over an hour away). And I have to see the consultant and have checks and a scan every 2 weeks from 16 weeks till they are born. So lots more appointments (which take half a day for each appointment). But so far everything is fine and good to be monitored closely. As the risks are higher for most conditions in a twin pregnancy.

They will look to deliver by 36 weeks at the latest so the twins will be premature to some degree. I am prepared for them to spend a little time in hospital after birth. My cousin had twins who were born at 29 weeks and they spent 10 weeks in hospital. But they are now 15 and have no lasting affects.

I have a previous daughter and this pregnancy is definitely harder. Although I think most people say the second pregnancy is harder. As I have a toddler to chase around and carry now! But currently as the sickness has now settled I am feeling ok at present. Although starting to feel heavy and finding it more difficult to be on my feet all day.

@EasterBunny7 How are you? Any updates?

Hi can I join this group please. Talking of 1 or 2 transfers we decided on 2 this time as my first fresh cycle failed in December with 1x 5AA blastocyst. Had 2 x 4BB transferred on Friday so am 4dpt now. They said one had expanded post thaw which is apparently good and seemed to have high hopes for me. I am finding it hard to stay positive though. Just feels all too similar to pre-AF right now. I’m not sure if this means it’s worked but my OTD is so far away on Friday 18th March. I decided to take that day off because I can’t face the thought of having to work either way after testing. I really need some inspirational stories/ positive thoughts today as feeling quite down. Any help appreciated xx