1 egg or 2 (ivf)

[cedar12]

Starting ivf in July. I have one dd 4 years old. I have had 2 eptopic pg in the last 2 years. I have had one tube removed the other one is open. After lots of thought decieded to have ivf. I am 28 and the dr said he only wants to put back one embryo as I am young and probably have good eggs etc and have been pg before. He thinks I would have a high chance of twins and if this was the case a higher chance of misscarriage and complications etc. Not sure what to do I thought I might have more chance with 2 has anybody got any advise or experience of this.

[Ladymuck]

Well research certainly shows that the more eggs you produce, the more tend to form embryos, and you have the best chance of IVF success if there are a number of embryos to select from. Recent research has also shown that that if the embryos are allowed to develop to blastocyst stage (offhand I think around 5 days after fertilisation) then the difference in success rates between transferring one blastocyst or 2 embryos is fairly small.

What will be the great unknown for you first time round is a) how many eggs you will produce; b) how many fertilise successfully; c) how well the embryos develop. These factors vary hugely between women. One woman could produce 6 eggs, all of which fertilise normally and could reach blastocyst stage, another could produce 16 eggs, with only half fertilising and of those none reaching blastocyst. If the only fertlity problem you are facing is the one tube, then you do have a high chance of producing a high number of eggs with say at least 75% going on to fertilise normally and a further 75% of those fertilised going onto blastocyst stage.

I don't think that ou have to finally decide anything until the day of transfer, and frankly I think that you need to make the decision based ont he process and grading of the embryos at that time. If you have several good quality embryos which are likely to get to blastocyst stage then I'd personally go for one blastocyst to reduce the risks of multiple birth. On the other hand if the embryos weren't such great quality I would transfer 2. Your embryologist will be able to advise you at the time.

[worzsel]

Hiya, i have no experience of that myself but i read some intertesting stuff on here if you want to have a look

[cedar12]

Thanks Ladymuck and Worzsel. Great website just had a look. Are blastocyst just more developed embryos? sorry new to all of this.

[Ladymuck]

Yes. Typicaly embryos are allowed to develop for 2 or 3 days when they will have between say 4 and 12 cells. But a blastocyst has been allowed to go to 5 days when it reaches a stage where it is hard to coutn the number of cells. It really depends on quality of eggs/sperm/embryos. I've had 4 IVF cycles and not sure that I'd ever had the quality of embryos that would make it to blastocyst stage to be honest.

The one thing I would say is that if you try IVF I think that you need to be geared up for say 3 attempts. There are so many variables and the clinic will adjust treatment as it progresses in the each cycle. Statistically what they are saying in terms of goign for a single blastocyst is correct, and you probably have a 40+% success rate (depending on the clinic). But until you go through treatment they can't be absolutely certain how your body will cope with the drugs, how many eggs you get, embryo quality etc.

[Trinityrhino]

sorry to interrupt

my sister is now having to think of ivf, does anyone know how much it costs?

[Ladymuck]

Where does she live?

Anything from free (NHS) to £5,000+ per cycle depending on whether you get your drugs paid for, whether you need ICSI (sperm injected), whether you are going to freeze any embryos. I'd guess on an average of £3k but I know people who have paid as little as £1.5k.

[Trinityrhino]

thanks lady, she lives in devon
she has one child already so wont be free

[cedar12]

Thanks for the info Lady muck. Are clinic has a good succes rate 50% getting pg 40% take a baby home rate. Its the clinic in woking.