Single or double embryo transfer?

[JessoA]

Hi everyone, I'm preparing for my third FET and my doctor has offered me the option to transfer 2 embryos this round as I got a BFN on my first two rounds. I was very surprised she suggested it as I'm 34, so I was wondering if anyone had any advice or stories to share about getting a double transfer?
Although I love the idea of possible twins, realistically I know it must be much harder (and more expensive) than raising one child, but my biggest worry is putting a baby at risk of health problems because of my impatience to conceive.
A little background on us: We have male factor infertility (my husband had testicular cancer 17 years ago). We are using his frozen sperm which was graded low motility and low count. Our ICSI fresh cycle gave us 7 good-quality embryos but despite 2 good-looking FET cycles, nothing has stuck and I'm worried our embryos have chromosomal abnormalities because my husband was sick at the time 😢We're NHS patients on the waiting list since 2019 and we've had several setbacks due to Covid, wait times and complications (fresh cycle gave me a uterine polyp). I'm running out of steam and feel emotionally drained after having IVF in my life so long. Not sure what to do and I'd be grateful for any advice. Thanks! X

@JessoA
That’s a tough one to decide and ultimately one that definitely has to come from you and your husband? What are his thoughts?

I remember being so desperate that I asked if I could have a double embryo transfer on my first attempt. That was definitely not something they would consider at that time but I think they are allowed to give you that option after 2 failed cycles.

We paid for treatment, so I’m unsure about how it works on the NHS…can you continue to do single transfers until your embryos are used up and it’s classed as one round?

IVF is so gruelling….mentally as well as physically. I get it when you say you’re running out of steam 💐

@MayBaby22 thanks for your reply. I understand your feelings for wanting a double transfer off the bat. It's so tempting! But when I research the success rates of double vs single transfers, it actually seems like the chances aren't much greater with 2, which leaves me feeling even more confused that our doctor urged us to think about 2...
We are very fortunate to qualify for 3 fresh and 3 frozen cycles on the NHS, so I guess this would be our last free FET. I can't see us going through another fresh cycle as we don't need more embyros, so we'd probably just pay for the next FET.
I guess the one reason I might opt for a double in this round is that I can't imagine going through 5 more single transfers - for emotional rather than financial reasons. If we have a lot of aneuploid embryos, I might not make it through trying with each of them individually just to find the one healthy embryo that takes, if that makes sense?

@JessoA
Yes, I hear what you’re saying and it makes perfect sense. Well my advice to you is to give with your gut and be prepared that if successful, you could end up with more than one baby in there.

Just for perspective….I had only had 2 embryos make it to the freezer. One very good quality and one rather poor quality. The good quality embryo became my son and we always said we would give that other embryo a chance but were not very hopeful that we would be so lucky second time round. We had already decided there would be no more egg collections, so were resigning ourselves to being happy with our boy as an only child. That 2nd embryo became my daughter!

I sometimes wonder whether we would have got twins if we’d put them in together at the same time. Who knows?

We were incredibly lucky….getting the outcomes that we got and not having any failed transfers or losses. I know that it doesn’t go that way for a lot of people, sadly. I wish you luck and the strength to get through it. Please feel free to update on what you decide and on how you get on.

I had double transfers x 3. This was many years ago when the rules were less strict. In my final round one stuck. They're now doing A levels. IMHO if I had to do it again I'd still do double transfers. I was doing fertility tests, IVF etc for 8 years and I simply couldn't cope with any more ttreatment. Look at all aspects - the money, time, effort, emotions etc, and then make your decision. Truly the best of luck.

@JessoA how did you get on? I'm in tww for FET 2 but feel its another BFN so considering double next time, but I'm still thinking it through

It was a BFN unfortunately (with a single embryo). That was back in July last year. Been taking some time away from IVF to get over the emotions and tbh just have some fun. I think we'll go for another FET this summer and try with two embryos.
Best of luck with the rest of your 2ww. Don't lose hope, you never know 🤞❤️

@JessoA sorry that didn't work out, having a break is a good idea-IVF is so full on. All the best and thanks for replying!