https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 09 Apr 2026 20:31:03 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-how-many-embryos-to-transfer/page/2#post-2828829 Sun, 17 Jun 2018 20:32:50 +0000 yellowbeach 2828829@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurplePumps: I had a dream last night that they accidentally destroyed all 9 during the testing process. :shocked: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-how-many-embryos-to-transfer/page/2#post-2828819 Sun, 17 Jun 2018 18:48:02 +0000 PurplePumps 2828819@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yellowbeach: I totally understand wanting to transfer more, especially for a first (or first two) child, but I'm kind of relieved that the one that stuck was a SET. (We transferred 2 the first two times, but lost those). Also, I don't think it matters that you are 40 now... it's the age that your embryos were created that matter more... so for all intents and purposes, you're still 38 as far as those embryos are concerned! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-how-many-embryos-to-transfer#post-2828805 Sun, 17 Jun 2018 14:00:25 +0000 yellowbeach 2828805@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just wanted to stop by and say what an interesting thread this is - even if it's 2.5 years old. </p> <p>We are awaiting the results of PGS on our 9 frozen embryos. On our first round of IVF (age 38, single transfer, :bfp: ) they recommended we transfer only one. We hadn't yet done PGS though, so they gave us a 30% chance of success, and fortunately we were in that minority. Since then, we conceived naturally (age 39) but underwent an emotionally painful TFMR for T21. This time, we'll do a FET with PGS tested embryos, and again they are recommending only a single transfer, but this time giving us a 70% chance of success, despite me now being 40. I imagine since the embryo will be tested, the chromosomal variables contributing commonly to loss are much less likely. </p> <p>I had entertained the idea of transferring 2 on our initial fresh cycle 2 years ago but am so glad I didn't. I ended up getting sick with severe pre-E and HELLP, and delivered a premie at 32 weeks. We most certainly would have lost one or both if it had been a twin pregnancy - I'm sure of it.</p> <p>Despite occasionally wanting to do impulsive things, I've learned to trust and listen to our RE. So far he's been right 100% of the time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-how-many-embryos-to-transfer#post-2333948 Mon, 26 Oct 2015 12:15:28 +0000 agold 2333948@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: Thanks for commenting! My RE recommends that I transfer two. I'm still very much undecided. I'm getting very tired of continually injecting hormones into my system. So now that's factoring into my decision. I won't know the grading of my embryos until closer to the FET so it will probably be a game time decision. I only have two frozen so I'm just so torn. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-how-many-embryos-to-transfer#post-2333243 Sun, 25 Oct 2015 19:55:40 +0000 Hopingforbaby 2333243@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you ladies. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-how-many-embryos-to-transfer#post-2333133 Sun, 25 Oct 2015 17:46:39 +0000 Madison43 2333133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Hopingforbaby: I did one fresh and one frozen cycle and very luckily, both were successful, resulting in my two daughters. We didn't PGD - it was recommended for our frozen cycle but we paid for everything out of pocket, so opted against it, particularly because we had one successful fresh cycle behind us. If our first FET had failed, we may have done it for the next cycle. My clinic is NYU. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-how-many-embryos-to-transfer#post-2333070 Sun, 25 Oct 2015 16:11:49 +0000 GreenThumb 2333070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: I know, the reason I asked at our appointment last week is actually because I have a friend who recently had a failed cycle and her RE is recommending they screen the three frozen embryos that she has left. I was pretty surprised at my REs answer, too, based on what my friend is doing, but I guess every clinic has their own stance. I'm just hoping our fresh cycle is a :bfp: :wink: . </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-how-many-embryos-to-transfer#post-2333064 Sun, 25 Oct 2015 16:06:25 +0000 SweetiePie 2333064@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@GreenThumb: That's interesting that your doc advises against thawing for PGD then refreezing. Mine made it sound like it wouldn't be a huge deal. He said of course there is some risk but they've seen it happen successfully many times.<br /> But logically I would think your doc is right! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-how-many-embryos-to-transfer#post-2333062 Sun, 25 Oct 2015 16:03:16 +0000 SweetiePie 2333062@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I only had one good embryo (PGD testing) so that made it very easy.<br /> But we had decided that if we had two we would have transferred both. We want(ed) two kids total and felt that if we could avoid the stress and expense of IVF by having two at once, we would do it.<br /> Now I'm glad we only had one. The twin mommas out there are my rockstar heroes! I don't know how you do it :-) But I would still MAYBE transfer two if the opportunity arose next time (if there is a next time, we might be one and done). This time the deciding factor would be that I don't think I want to be pregnant 3 times, for various reasons. So if we ended up with 2 embryos by some miracle, Id probably just transfer both. But that is a highly unlikely scenario. </p> <p>@agold: what does your RE recommend? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-how-many-embryos-to-transfer#post-2333053 Sun, 25 Oct 2015 15:45:45 +0000 GreenThumb 2333053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Hopingforbaby: We did not do PGS on our frozen embryos because at the time of our first fresh cycle, there was nothing of concern to the RE that would indicate screening was necessary. Even though out of 1 fresh cycle and 4 FETs we have only had one successful pregnancy (I have a 2 year old daughter from our first FET), going into a new fresh cycle shortly, my RE still does not recommend PGS for us as all of our genetic testing has come back negative and we are healthy. Also, while some labs will do this, he does not recommend thawing and refreezing previously frozen embryos for the purpose of PGS as this process has a fairly detrimental effect on the embryos. I would say that with 19 tries with embryos from your current age of 28, you will very likely be successful! :goodluck: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-how-many-embryos-to-transfer#post-2333032 Sun, 25 Oct 2015 15:13:18 +0000 Hopingforbaby 2333032@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@GreenThumb: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-how-many-embryos-to-transfer#post-2332619 Sat, 24 Oct 2015 17:57:43 +0000 Hopingforbaby 2332619@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Madison and Greenthumb...<br /> Did either of you pgd test your embryos? Are either of you pregannt or become pregannt? I didn't get pregnant from my fresh transfer. I had 46 eggs retrieved resulting in 20 5 day blastocysts. 19 are frozen and I transfer one mid November. I'm freaking out we didn't pgd test and that it wont work. My Dr recommends u transfer one since I'm 28 and a small frame. What clinics do you guys go to? Any one at shady grove? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-how-many-embryos-to-transfer#post-2318670 Tue, 13 Oct 2015 23:43:34 +0000 BSB 2318670@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, I'll also add that I left my first clinic and went to one that had more success rates from people who failed to conceive at other local clinics. The IUIs done (#4-6) were unsucessful but my 1st IVF (FET) cycle worked for me.<br /> I definitely agree that the number you ultimately choose to transfer is a personal decision. Lots of luck to you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-how-many-embryos-to-transfer#post-2318650 Tue, 13 Oct 2015 23:10:34 +0000 Mrs.Pinecone316 2318650@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our RE was open to transferring one or two if there wasn't PGE testing done. We chose two, got pregnant with two but lost one at 9 weeks but we have one beautiful baby now. I will only transfer 1 in the future. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-how-many-embryos-to-transfer#post-2318590 Tue, 13 Oct 2015 22:01:29 +0000 endymion4 2318590@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>according to the guidelines posted above, i'd be in the 2 embryo category, but my RE will only do a SET (hubby and I were discussing 1 vs 2, and it ended up not being an issue anyways). This is our first cycle and we're doing FET </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-how-many-embryos-to-transfer#post-2317837 Tue, 13 Oct 2015 13:15:42 +0000 agold 2317837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: That's such a funny sweet story about your husband. I can't even imagine, at this point, having a child from all of these IVF efforts. I hope I do, though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-how-many-embryos-to-transfer#post-2317835 Tue, 13 Oct 2015 13:15:01 +0000 agold 2317835@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hey everyone! Thank you so much for giving me your opinions on this topic. I know this is such a personal subject so I really appreciate all thoughts that have been shared. I feel like all decisions with IVF are such a gamble. My husband and I are leaning more towards transferring one than two. We wouldn't mind twins, but we prefer just one at a time for several different reasons. I have a couple more weeks to sort this out and I'm sure the quality of the frozen embryos I have will be the final factor. But, it looks like transferring one will win out - time and money be damned! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-how-many-embryos-to-transfer#post-2317368 Tue, 13 Oct 2015 08:42:55 +0000 erinbaderin 2317368@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With my first IVF, we had the choice between one and two (I only had two) - we chose two, but it was unsuccessful. With my second IVF my doctor told me he planned to transfer as many as there were (I'm a low responder so it wasn't like we were looking at, like, 12) but only one made it, so that's what we did - that embryo is 21 months old and the other day my husband looked fondly at him and said "Remember when this guy was just a cheque for $12,000?" which made me laugh. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-how-many-embryos-to-transfer#post-2317314 Tue, 13 Oct 2015 07:50:28 +0000 ineebee 2317314@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At my first clinic, they strongly recommended single embryo transfer because their own stats showed that it was statistically just as successful as transferring more than one (*again, at their clinic). We didn't get to do IVF there, but that idea stuck with me when we went to our second clinic after we moved, so I transferred just one. I also knew two sets of IVF twins who had lots of minor-to-moderate health problems. Of course I'm not a doctor and I have no idea whether their twinness had anything to do with it, but it scared me a little. I decided I'd rather it take longer and go through more cycles with one embryo at a time than possibly risk health issues for twins. This was for a fresh transfer.</p> <p>Good luck to you! I hope you get some clarity and make a decision you feel good about! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-how-many-embryos-to-transfer#post-2317281 Tue, 13 Oct 2015 06:34:03 +0000 jaguar 2317281@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Always single. :) Gold standard practice in most clinics in Australia is SET. Reduces risks to mum and baby, and their end result is a singleton healthy baby, better for their stats. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-how-many-embryos-to-transfer#post-2317150 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 21:18:19 +0000 Caly 2317150@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We transferred 2 very good quality 3 day ICSI embryos that resulted in our twins. Two was recommended (but in the end completely our choice) based on my history (unexplained, previous loss). We knew that twins was a high possibility and were completely at peace with it. If we were to do it all over again I would choose two all over again...that being said, like @twodoghouse: mentioned, multiples are very HARD! At least they are for us, they'll be two soon and they're nonstop. Also for me, the twin pregnancy was pretty difficult. It's a tough decision, I hope you're able to have peace with whatever route you take! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-how-many-embryos-to-transfer#post-2317132 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 20:48:27 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2317132@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>And just to add info, I was 32 and they were high quality blasts with ICSI on both and assisted hatching on one. (First cycle, fresh transfer, day 5). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-how-many-embryos-to-transfer#post-2317073 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 19:42:33 +0000 mrswin 2317073@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: The RE VERY strongly recommended that we only transfer one as long as we had a blast on day 5. We were told that transferring 2 only increased our risk of multiples, not of it working. At the time of our fresh transfer I was 30 and our issues were MF and endo+DOR; also it was our first cycle. </p> <p>For my SO and I personally we also discussed the fact that our life would need to change dramatically if we had multiples. The cost of living is very high and daycare for one infant is $1900++ :shocked:. It is such a personal decision but you have to trust your instincts. :goodluck: :heart: </p> <p>ETA: We also did ICSI and assisted hatching which can increase the chances of embryos splitting. Stories like Mrs. GreenGrass' weighed on me as yet another reason to only transfer one </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-how-many-embryos-to-transfer#post-2317070 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 19:40:00 +0000 Amorini 2317070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Interesting ideas and experiences here! We will transfer two once we get there shortly after you this fall! Our decision is pretty much based on our RE's recommendation which is also the ASRM guidelines posted by @GreenThumb:. But we also got two "good" blasties from our freeze all, so that also helps decide things. As you know, I'm in the much-envied (ha!) 38-40 category! So if we had gotten, say, 3 "fair" or 4 "poor" blasties, I think I would be evaluating the situation a little more and thinking it through like you're doing. Not to say we're not thinking it through now! We would be happy with a singleton or twins. We would be very nervous with triplets just for health reasons (and close friends are living this difficult experience as we speak!) And then quads... :shocked: </p> <p>Your RE's reasoning (transfer +1 than your fresh cycle) seems a tad ... I don't know ... unscientific or something. I've never heard of that before. Sounds like you have some nice blasties left if they made it to day 6. Once you hear back some kind of quality grade, I'd probably start there and then get on the same page as DH and just trust your gut about what is right for you guys! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-how-many-embryos-to-transfer#post-2317020 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 18:51:55 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2317020@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DH and I based our decision on how many babies we would be comfortable with. My clinic transfers up to 3. We went with 2 because we would have been ok with twins. </p> <p>After losing a twin in the first trimester I'm not sure I would transfer 2 again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-how-many-embryos-to-transfer#post-2317006 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 18:33:25 +0000 twodoghouse 2317006@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We transferred 2 for our day 3 transfer at the recommendation of our embryologist. This was a little over two years ago and it was standard practice at my office to transfer two. We were totally on board (and I secretly wanted twins) so we went with the dr's recommendation. My twins are 17 months old now. It's been quite the trip. :) Our twins are the best thing that have ever happened to us, but I feel like I should also point out that having multiples is HARD! Think long and hard about how twins would fit into your life before transferring two. If we had to make the decision again, we'd still transfer two but I think I remember at least one other twin mom here who said she'd do it differently if she could go back in time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-how-many-embryos-to-transfer#post-2316994 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 18:17:56 +0000 GreenThumb 2316994@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Here are the guidelines from the American Society of Reproductive Medicine by age (note these do not distinguish between fresh and frozen):</p> <p>Under 35: 1 embryo for favorable prognosis/blastocyst transfer; 1 to 2 embryos for favorable prognosis/cleavage-stage transfer; 2 embryos for all others</p> <p>35 to 37 years: 2 embryos for all patients (except 3 embryos for women with less favorable prognoses who receive cleavage-stage embryos)</p> <p>38 to 40 years: 2 embryos for favorable prognosis/blastocyst transfer; 4 embryos for less favorable prognosis/cleavage-stage transfer, and 3 embryos for all others</p> <p>41 to 42 years: 3 embryos for those receiving blastocysts and 5 embryos for those receiving cleavage-stage embryos</p> <p>AFM: I had a single embryo for my fresh cycle ( :bfn: age 34), 2 for FET #1 ( :bfp: single :girl: age 34), 2 for FET #2 and #3 ( :bfn: age 36 &amp; 37 ), and 3 for FET #4 ( :bfn: age 37). All embryos were blasts day 5 or 6. I'm pretty sure we will transfer 2 if we go through a fresh cycle again and have good embryos. </p> <p> :goodluck: Tough decision, I know! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-how-many-embryos-to-transfer#post-2316990 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 18:13:16 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2316990@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: no prob! I always chime in. You explained it pretty well :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-how-many-embryos-to-transfer#post-2316989 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 18:11:07 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2316989@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We transferred two on our first fresh IVF cycle and ended up with our son. Our clinic let us choose between 1 or 2 on the day of transfer after telling us the grade...I think we had 1 excellent and 3 average embryos. We had talked about it and decided we were ok with twins and thought we would always wonder what would have happened if we just transferred one and it was unsuccessful. I believe under 35 it's a max of two at our clinic and they strongly prefer you transfer only one. They were very realistic about the chance of multiples. If we were to do it again for a second child, we would likely only transfer one...I think we were pretty nonchalant about the realities of having twins and I think with an already increased chance of multiples with IVF, it's important to think through those realities if that should happen. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-how-many-embryos-to-transfer#post-2316986 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 18:09:22 +0000 BSB 2316986@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We transferred 2 and my RE asked is how many we wanted to transfer in our FET. I always wanted twins so we were okay with the idea of multiples. Plus, I knew not all embryos would take so I figure with 2 transferred that hopefully one would take. I did also have to consider the risk of twins or more since it's possible for them to split. Oh, we had 7 embryos frozen from our retrival, so we have 5 left in the freezer.</p> <p>ETA: My embryos were ICSI and day 5. </p>