How many embies would you put back?

We're trying to get things figured out for our FET and I wanted to get some opinions on how many embies we should put back.

Background:

TTC since 9/07
1 IUI with injectables - BFN
1 IVF (transferred 2) - BFN

The RE recommends still just putting back 2 and DH thinks that's best also. I kind of want to put back 3 since 2 didn't work last time. RE said that if 2 doesn't work for this FET, then for the next one we can try more - but DH isn't sure when the next one will be if this one doesn't work since we have been paying for everything OOP.

What would you do? I'm only putting 2 and 3 as choices because those are the only numbers we are considering.

Thanks

Re: How many embies would you put back?

Are you willing to do selective reduction? If all three took, you would probably have to deal with SR....
I personally would just do the 2, you are young and there is no reason to think that there is anything wrong with the embies so 2 is a safe number and you are likely to get PG this time.

Re: How many embies would you put back?

We will only be doing 2 as well since we don't want to do SR.

Good luck!!!

Re: How many embies would you put back?

How old are you? They told me at my age (soon to be 34) that they will only put back 2 at a time.

If they think your chances are really good (from your previous post), the rational part of me says put back 2. The cowgirl in me knows that I was pushing for 3 myself, so I have no right telling you to put back 2.

BTW, my RE told me "no" in no uncertain terms and said that sometimes they only put 1 in on the first try at my age.

Clearly, I'm no help here.

Re: How many embies would you put back?

Posted by Sneezy

How old are you? They told me at my age (soon to be 34) that they will only put back 2 at a time.

If they think your chances are really good (from your previous post), the rational part of me says put back 2. The cowgirl in me knows that I was pushing for 3 myself, so I have no right telling you to put back 2.

BTW, my RE told me "no" in no uncertain terms and said that sometimes they only put 1 in on the first try at my age.

Clearly, I'm no help here.

Re: How many embies would you put back?

I think you are too young to put back more then 2. I am 28 and I don't think they would recommend or would I want to put back more then 2 until I go through a few more failed attempts.

The risk is just too high in my opinion.

Re: How many embies would you put back?

Ok... wait... if you aren't willing or able to do another round after this FET... then I think I personally would push for the 3 to try to make sure that you get your full chances...

its really a tough decision... I think if I were in your shoes and wasn't able to do another round, then I would consider putting back 3....

How many would you have left over stored???

Re: How many embies would you put back?

I think I would put back two. How much do your chances of conceiving increase with three. Also, what r the chances all three would implant? Good luck in whatever u do:)

Re: How many embies would you put back?

I am 43 and refused to put back more than 2.. I would never put myself in the position to have a reduction.. But this is MY way of thinking.. Did the Dr say he would recommend a redution if all 3 took? And ask yourself how you feel about that.. If you are ok with it than definately go with the 3.. But I do find when I am left to my own devices and go against what my Dr recommends I am usually sorry..

Re: How many embies would you put back?

Posted by dilb712

I am 43 and refused to put back more than 2.. I would never put myself in the position to have a reduction.. But this is MY way of thinking.. Did the Dr say he would recommend a redution if all 3 took? And ask yourself how you feel about that.. If you are ok with it than definately go with the 3.. But I do find when I am left to my own devices and go against what my Dr recommends I am usually sorry..

Re: How many embies would you put back?

I will be putting 4 back, but I am 40...you are very young, I would only put back 2 if I was your age.

Good luck.

Re: How many embies would you put back?

Has your dr. done any other testing... you were just doing an IUI and it got converted to IVF, right (hopefully I'm not mixing you up w/ someone else but I don't think I am )?
It could've just been that your body was pumped up on meds, etc... and that's why it didn't take- and maybe an FET will be better for you b/c it's less stress on your body.
Not every embryo implants, and sometimes not any unfortunately. I just did my FET last month and had a "perfect" 12 celled grade 1 embryo that stuck in the catheter- that most ppl were SURE that I was going to be pg from (besides the 9 celled grade 2) and neither one of them did anything.
Personally at your age I would put back 2 as well.

Re: How many embies would you put back?

My first two transfers we put back three. Typically our determination is that we put back the two best and then one lower quality. Upon the recommendaiton of our RE our plan for our thrid tranfer after PGD is to transfer only two.

Re: How many embies would you put back?

Given your age, I would definitely put back only 2. IVF success rates are at best about 50% each try so try to stay positive that it will work next time.

Re: How many embies would you put back?

Considering your age, I would put back in 2 & then if that does not work, then revisit your options of 3.....I remember our RE telling us that when the female is under 30, the chances of the 2 embies taking is high (especially if you are strictly MF) but I know that some differ.

You know my story but I am currently PG with twins & I am 29

Re: How many embies would you put back?

Thanks so much for all of the replies.

I can't believe how close the poll is! I thought for sure that there'd be a clear "winner" - and then I could show that to DH as part of our discussions.

Now I'm still very confused!

Re: How many embies would you put back?

You are young, and because there's no obvious reason as to why the first didn't work, I would say you have a fairly good chance of all 3 implanting if you go for 3. Just because your first didn't work, does not mean there's anything wrong or that the second won't - it's all just a matter of statistics sometimes. I had two perfect embryos put back in me, and only one took - these things are just mysteries sometimes!

But, my point being, given your age and history, I think you have to be fully prepared for the consequences of conceiving triplets if you decide to put back 3. I would really discuss what you would do with your DH and your RE, and if you are totally comfortable with your decision on how you would proceed, then go for 3. If you have any hesitation, I would go for 2.

Re: How many embies would you put back?

It's such a difficult decision to make. If I were you, I would only put 2 back. Putting back 3 vs. 2 only increases your chances of success by a little but it greatly increases your chance of triplets. Since you wouldn't want to be forced to make the decision about selective reduction, I would to anything possible to avoid it.

Re: How many embies would you put back?

This is one of those damned if you do and damned if you don't questions that suck

Go with 2 and if none take you'll wonder what might have been if you went with 3

Go with 3 and have all 3 take and you'll live in fear of hearing told you so and the complications that come with triplets

Me - I'd go with 3 because I always want immediate results

Re: How many embies would you put back?

I am so sorry to crash. What a tough decision you have to make!!!! I really feel for you.

IF it was me, I think I would just listen to the Dr and go with 2. Your health and making sure you choose the safest thing for YOu is most important, IMHO

Good luck!!!

Re: How many embies would you put back?

I don't know how many frosties you have, but with your age I would only put back 2. Especially if your situation is primarily male factor.

Re: How many embies would you put back?

Posted by hayleyandsteve

Thanks so much for all of the replies.

I can't believe how close the poll is! I thought for sure that there'd be a clear "winner" - and then I could show that to DH as part of our discussions.

Now I'm still very confused!

Re: How many embies would you put back?

Re: How many embies would you put back?

I found this decision to be very difficult too. My husband wanted me to decide, vowing to support whatever I decided. The number and quality of frosties where the variables that made my decision clear for me.

I did fresh cycle in September '08 and transferred 2 / 5-day blasts which resulted in a chemical pregnancy (reassuring me that I have the ability to get pregnant);
I immediately followed with an FET, I had 4 (all 5 day blasts) frosties. My instructions were to thaw all four and transfer the best 3, ironically, only 3 survived the thaw.
For me, neither was successful, I am starting a fresh cycle (Friday I start Lupron).
I chose to transfer 3 embies for the following reasons:
-twins are ideal, but 3 babies would truly be a blessing and I would work it out (1,2 or 3)
-I am 35
-I also am OOP and knew I would only do 1 FET, because the $ investment, IMO, is better made in a fresh cycle, given my circumstances.

My thoughts were "I don't have any children now, I don't know the difference between 1, 2 or 3; I can financially handle 3 (maybe a bit of struggle, but who doesn't) and we certainly have enough love for 3 children"

Ultimately, your heart will lead you. I wish you the best and in my opinion, you really need to evaluate what you and your husband can handle. I am voting for 3!
I look forward to reading the outcome, please keep us posted!