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Original poster

2nd round of IVF (ICSI)- Dr using 2 embryos this time. Thoughts?

40 replies

Keekee21 · 08/05/2024 15:46

Hi Everyone,
New to this - only found mumsnet today!
I have my second round of ICSI/Ivf coming up next week and I asked the DR what he thought of using 2 embryos this time. He looked over my scans and blood test results (taken yesterday) and said he's happy to try this but as it was my suggestion not his, what does everyone think of this and would you do it?
Obviously this increases the chances of twins (what a dream!!!) but apart from what i've read online there doesn't seem to be anything to be too worried or concerned about?

Also, any tips on what to eat/do before next week which could improve my chances? We were devastated the first round didn't work but apparently this is common with a fresh embryo?

Any advice is appreciated xx

OP posts:
MFF2010 · 08/05/2024 15:54

Our chances were so low the doctors used 2 eggs on our first round and I fell pregnant with twins, they're now 5 and I thank my lucky stars for them every day.

That being said you need to go into it aware of the risks, twin pregnancies are higher risk, there are 2 babies, more can go wrong and one may affect the other. I had a difficult pregnancy and they came very early. It wasn't easy, we nearly lost them but they pulled through, we were lucky. They're absolutely fine now, you'd never know. Don't worry about eating the right stuff etc, just try to relax and look after yourself. Good luck xx

SH998 · 08/05/2024 16:02

Do you know the grade of the embryos? We done a double transfer both graded AA so I was adamant they would work, they both failed to implant.
I would have loved twins so both working wasn’t an issue to me, also we had several embryos over to freeze so a double transfer seemed the right option for us at the time. Had we only had the 2 embryos we wouldn’t have opted a double transfer.
In hindsight if I had to do it again then I wouldn’t.
As both failed I felt that I had used 2 good embryos and lost both in 1 go, if my body wasn’t ready to accept, no amount of embryos would have worked. I was absolutely gutted to lose both in the same cycle.
Do what is right for you, wishing you all the best on your next transfer.

soscarlet · 08/05/2024 16:55

When I was deciding whether to do a double transfer I remember reading that it’s pretty rare to transfer 2 and have only 1 implant. The vast majority of double transfers result in either a twin pregnancy or no pregnancy at all. I can’t remember where I read that but it would’ve been an academic source, not an opinion on Google.

The risks involved in a twin pregnancy (both to mother and babies) are significant. By transferring 2 embryos you aren’t doubling your chances of implantation, you’re increasing risk factors. It works out great for some people, but it’s not a risk I was willing to take.

LizzeyBenett · 08/05/2024 16:59

We were advised that they would only use 2 if they were a lower grade embryo, I didn't actually end up needing the IVF but was just about to start when I feel pregnant so my information is limited. Did they say anything else ? I personally had my mind made up that if I had two and was allowed use them in the same cycle I would but obviously that comes with its own risks as well if you were to fall pregnant with twins. Wishing you all the luck x

MadKittenWoman · 08/05/2024 17:26

25 years this month ago, so things have changed. We had:

1st cycle: 3 embryos, 2 transferred, DS24.
2nd cycle: no eggs, cycle abandoned.
3rd cycle: 4 embryos, 3 transferred, nothing.

Having 2 transferred got us our wonderful son.

Original poster
Keekee21 · 08/05/2024 21:08

Thank you for all your replies!

OP posts:
Original poster
Keekee21 · 08/05/2024 21:11

I've got 4 left - 1 very good, 3 good.

Really appreciate everyone's opinion and glad most of you got a good result, so sorry for the ones that didn't - ivf is not for the faint hearted and it's such a difficult thing to go through,

I have contacted my doctor since and he seems confident that this is a good option for me?

I'm praying for one healthy baby but two would be absolutely amazing!!

OP posts:
lilachouse · 08/05/2024 21:16

1st round - single, great quality, miscarried
2nd round - single, great quality, nothing
3rd round - two, not great quality, one baby!

Original poster
Keekee21 · 08/05/2024 21:17

lilachouse · 08/05/2024 21:16

1st round - single, great quality, miscarried
2nd round - single, great quality, nothing
3rd round - two, not great quality, one baby!

Amazing news!! Congratulations!

OP posts:
OneToThree · 08/05/2024 21:23

I did and have b/g twins age 13. I wanted to give it the best chance so didn’t need to go through it again if it failed.
Having twins is hard when little but my 2 are the best of friends, it’s great, I love it.

Original poster
Keekee21 · 08/05/2024 21:24

OneToThree · 08/05/2024 21:23

I did and have b/g twins age 13. I wanted to give it the best chance so didn’t need to go through it again if it failed.
Having twins is hard when little but my 2 are the best of friends, it’s great, I love it.

This gives me hope.

I would honestly feel so so grateful with one healthy baby but twins - what an absolute dream!

Fingers crossed! X

OP posts:
ChangeAgain2 · 08/05/2024 21:25

I got pregnant twice with 2 embryos transfers. I had 2 heartbeat. Then 1 heartbeat and then no heartbeats. I'm no ot sure if the loss of one impacted the other. After those 2 pregnancies we did individual transfers. I didnt want to lose 2 embryo each time. My eldest was my last embryo. A single transfer and the worse grade of all the frozen embryos. They are prefect and 5 now. I had intralipid infusions with this pregnancy prior to embro transfer and then every few weeks until I was 14 weeks pregnant. It was expensive but I think it worked because that was my only successful pregnancy. Until my 2nd decided they'd put in an appearance without intervention.

Original poster
Keekee21 · 08/05/2024 21:28

ChangeAgain2 · 08/05/2024 21:25

I got pregnant twice with 2 embryos transfers. I had 2 heartbeat. Then 1 heartbeat and then no heartbeats. I'm no ot sure if the loss of one impacted the other. After those 2 pregnancies we did individual transfers. I didnt want to lose 2 embryo each time. My eldest was my last embryo. A single transfer and the worse grade of all the frozen embryos. They are prefect and 5 now. I had intralipid infusions with this pregnancy prior to embro transfer and then every few weeks until I was 14 weeks pregnant. It was expensive but I think it worked because that was my only successful pregnancy. Until my 2nd decided they'd put in an appearance without intervention.

So glad you got your babies in the end after all the heartache!

It's such a risk isn't it but I suppose all of it is a risk xx

OP posts:
babybirdsmomma · 08/05/2024 21:33

We had 2 embryos put back and was fully prepared for twins. We have one amazing daughter from this transfer who is 17 now and am grateful every single day for her. I used to wonder whether she would have implanted regardless of whether two had been put back or not and what happened to the other one. Best of luck whatever you decide x

Original poster
Keekee21 · 08/05/2024 21:34

babybirdsmomma · 08/05/2024 21:33

We had 2 embryos put back and was fully prepared for twins. We have one amazing daughter from this transfer who is 17 now and am grateful every single day for her. I used to wonder whether she would have implanted regardless of whether two had been put back or not and what happened to the other one. Best of luck whatever you decide x

Wow - wonderful outcome! I can definitely see how having 2 put in would make you automatically expectant of twins, I think I'd be the same, you can't help it.

Twins would be a wonderful outcome but so would one healthy baby like yours!

Thank you so much d

OP posts:
Spry · 08/05/2024 21:37

I'd emphatically recommend only having one transferred at a time.

(A) If one embryo is viable and the other isn't, you apparently reduce the chances of the healthy embryo implanting and developing properly. As the body senses something is wrong with one embryo, it is more likely just to abandon the whole pregnancy.

I'll never know whether this is what happened to us during our 2nd round of IVF. 2 embryos put back - one looked good, the other less so. I got pregnant. One developing foetus seen at about seven weeks, with a heartbeat. I then miscarried at 11 weeks.

(B) IVF embryos are more likely to split and create identical twins than in natural pregnancies. That means you increase your risk of triplets or even quadruplets if you have two embryos put into your uterus. These pregnancies can be very, very risky with a high potential for life-long disabilities for any babies that survive the pregnancy.

(C) If both embryos implant - ie you're pregnant with fraternal twins - this pregnancy will still be much riskier than a singleton pregnancy, for you and the babies.

This is what happened during our third round of IVF. When I was about six months pregnant, I attended an information evening at our local hospital for parents expecting twins. To my dismay, I discovered that I was just about the only one who was having a trouble-free pregnancy. From memory, virtually all the other expectant parents were facing problems - some of them very serious. I realised then how risky it had been to put two embryos "back". That's why the HFEA tries to discourage it. .

We were lucky and our twins were born healthy and are now robust ten year olds. Twins are indeed marvellous but I shudder to think how we effectively jeopardised their health by having them at the same time, rather than one after the other.

My very, very best wishes for whatever you decide.

Latenightreader · 08/05/2024 21:51

I was pressured into having two transferred the first time, I was told that they were lower grade so if I didn’t have them both transferred they would not be frozen. I cried all the way home and was very upset for several days - I was terrified of having twins. The transfer didn’t work, I wrote to express my concerns, and that doctor never treated me again. I had a successful transfer about a year later (after a couple more failed attempts) and now have a wonderful five year old.

If you are happy with the idea of twins, go for it! Don’t let anyone pressure you if you aren’t completely comfortable with the possibility.

JRTfan · 08/05/2024 22:16

We had several rounds of IVF with 2 or 3 poor grade embryos transferred- no success.
Moved to donor IVF abroad 1st transfer of 1 top quality embryo was unsuccessful. The 2nd time we did consider having 2 transferred but the clinic advised against it. They told us that issues with one embryo could impact the other and if successful a twin pregnancy is high risk. This one was successful but ended in a miscarriage at 9 weeks.
We again considered 2 embryos and the clinic would have transferred 2 but advised against it..so we decided to have one more go with one top embryo. That was october 23 and I'm now 34 weeks pregnant with one strong little bean. Remember with transferring 2 there is also a risk they will split. Obviously it's a personal choice and twins I know would be lovely but it's a big risk to take.

onefinalhurdle · 08/05/2024 22:28

It's a very personal decision- I have twins from a double transfer but I know just as many triplet mums from a double transfer so only do 2 if you are prepared mentally physically emotionally and of course financially to have more than "just" twins

I love being a twin mum. I'd do it all again tomorrow if i could. But it's bloody hard. My marriage collapsed under the strain - my ex husband couldn't cope having 2 and left when they were babies.

Not to mention All 3 of us nearly died during labour

Lots of people I know who did IVF and who didn't have twins considered having twins the IVF jackpot - and it is of course for me - it's the best thing that's ever happened to me - but it's completely changed my life

Original poster
Keekee21 · 13/05/2024 14:22

Spry · 08/05/2024 21:37

I'd emphatically recommend only having one transferred at a time.

(A) If one embryo is viable and the other isn't, you apparently reduce the chances of the healthy embryo implanting and developing properly. As the body senses something is wrong with one embryo, it is more likely just to abandon the whole pregnancy.

I'll never know whether this is what happened to us during our 2nd round of IVF. 2 embryos put back - one looked good, the other less so. I got pregnant. One developing foetus seen at about seven weeks, with a heartbeat. I then miscarried at 11 weeks.

(B) IVF embryos are more likely to split and create identical twins than in natural pregnancies. That means you increase your risk of triplets or even quadruplets if you have two embryos put into your uterus. These pregnancies can be very, very risky with a high potential for life-long disabilities for any babies that survive the pregnancy.

(C) If both embryos implant - ie you're pregnant with fraternal twins - this pregnancy will still be much riskier than a singleton pregnancy, for you and the babies.

This is what happened during our third round of IVF. When I was about six months pregnant, I attended an information evening at our local hospital for parents expecting twins. To my dismay, I discovered that I was just about the only one who was having a trouble-free pregnancy. From memory, virtually all the other expectant parents were facing problems - some of them very serious. I realised then how risky it had been to put two embryos "back". That's why the HFEA tries to discourage it. .

We were lucky and our twins were born healthy and are now robust ten year olds. Twins are indeed marvellous but I shudder to think how we effectively jeopardised their health by having them at the same time, rather than one after the other.

My very, very best wishes for whatever you decide.

Thank you for such a detailed answer! We have ended up going with one as it was our last A grade xx

OP posts:
Original poster
Keekee21 · 13/05/2024 14:24

JRTfan · 08/05/2024 22:16

We had several rounds of IVF with 2 or 3 poor grade embryos transferred- no success.
Moved to donor IVF abroad 1st transfer of 1 top quality embryo was unsuccessful. The 2nd time we did consider having 2 transferred but the clinic advised against it. They told us that issues with one embryo could impact the other and if successful a twin pregnancy is high risk. This one was successful but ended in a miscarriage at 9 weeks.
We again considered 2 embryos and the clinic would have transferred 2 but advised against it..so we decided to have one more go with one top embryo. That was october 23 and I'm now 34 weeks pregnant with one strong little bean. Remember with transferring 2 there is also a risk they will split. Obviously it's a personal choice and twins I know would be lovely but it's a big risk to take.

Amazing news!! Congratulations. I had my transfer today and we decided to just use one xx

OP posts:
Original poster
Keekee21 · 13/05/2024 14:27

Thank you so much for all of your replies!

We went with just one embryo and my transfer was today!!

This was our last A grade frozen embryo and the other 2 are B and C. Doctor said he feels it would give us a better chance by just using one at a time and especially with it being such good quality.

This is my second round of IVF so naturally I feel nervous but fingers crossed.

Wish me luck!! Xxxx

OP posts:
SH998 · 13/05/2024 14:39

@Keekee21 Im glad you made the decision that was best suited for you. Your body can give your 1 embryo 100% now.
Good luck to you, I really hope this your time 😘

EmmaGrundyForPM · 13/05/2024 14:45

Good luck.

ChangeAgain2 · 13/05/2024 14:46

@Keekee21 good luck 🤞