Day 3 versus day 5 transfer. Any advice / research on which one?

[Shellster52]

Amidst my 7th IVF attempt. EC yesterday. 5 eggs retrieved but just been told only one fertilised . Clinic does day 5 transfer if there are at least 4 going strong, but a day 3 if less than 4. Final decision is up to me. I have read pro and against both:

• One article says that embryo will do better in uterus (one step removed from fallopian tube where it would naturally be at day 3) than in the best culture medium
  
• Other study says that IVF pregnancy rates are lower at day 3 compared to day 5 as embryo is not normally subjected to progesterone from the uterus at this stage.
  

Nurse will call tomorrow and I have to give her my decision... that is hopefully I have to make a decision if my lone embryo makes it!

[Turquoisetamborine]

Hi Shel, if you only have one I would have it put back ASAP. It's only if you had a few to choose from I would wait for a blast. Good luck!

[Shellster52]

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply Turquoise.

Actually decided with hubby last night before reading your reply that we would wait for day 5. Have had 3 embryos transferred previously at day 2 and all BFN, so trying day 5. As I wrote above, study says IVF preg rates are lower at day 3 as embie not normally subjected to progesterone at this stage, so trying day 5 instead of day 3 for that reason.

Also, read interesting info recently that if embryo fails before or at 8 cell stage, it is likely the egg. After that, male genome plays more of a role so if it is great at 8 cells then goes downhill, can point to sperm.
So waiting til day 5 will allow us to see where things go wrong instead of forever wondering.

Plus I have to pay extra for my transfer. So no point to pay for a day 3 transfer of embryo that is about to disintegrate instead of putting it towards next IVF. Horrible that money is a factor, but it is.

How are you keeping Turquoise?
Last I recall, you were going to repeat IVF again in June.

[Turquoisetamborine]

Have you had ET now then or are you still waiting? You know a lot more than me! What you say definitely makes sense. I'm hoping I'll have enough to go to blast this time. I need a lot more eggs though, only two last time.

I'm downregging on the pill at the mo. I'm doing short antagonist protocol so my baseline scan is next Thursday. Then I can't remember if I start stimming the next day. I'm excited though!

[Shellster52]

I think I remember now. Last time you responded poorly so the treatment was cancelled?

Was your issue last time that you started with only a few antral follicles at your baseline scan, or were there lots but only a few responded to the meds? Are they doing a different protocol this time or are they just changing the medication dose?

Sorry for all the questons! It's because I usually only make a few eggs myself and would love to continue to chat with a fellow previous poor responder to see what works for you and what I can try next time.

Day 5 transfer will be Saturday but I read that only 30-40% make the distance so with just one, the odds are against me.

[Turquoisetamborine]

No the treatment wasn't cancelled but I was only left with two eggs at collection then only was was mature and fertilised. I then had a day two transfer which obviously failed.

I only had about 6 follicles but only two eggs collected. I only have one ovary but clearly I'm hoping for a better resp

[Turquoisetamborine]

response this time.

I was on long protocol last time which clearly didn't suit me and have now changed to Gonal f instead of Merional.

Have you had an update on how your embryos are doing?

[Shellster52]

So instead of the long protocol this time, you just wait for your period and then start Gonal F on day 2 or 3?
Any idea when things all start happening for you?

I get a call yesterday - day 3.
My embryo was at 10 cells.
My 2 previous transfers were both at day 2 also.
So this feels like the furthest I have seen my embryo grow.
At first with just one, I felt like the odds were against me.
But when I heard it was at 10 cells on day 3 I got a bit excited.
I then read online that an embryo between 6-10 cells on day 3 is the best day 3 indication that the embryo is viable.
So I got even more excited with mine being in the top of the range at 10 cells.
Trying to remind myself that there's still today and tomorrow for things to go wrong, but I can't help be hopeful now.
Worry I'm just going to have further to come crashing down when it doesn't work out!

[Shellster52]

How many cells was your embryo at your day 2 transfer last time?

[bessie84]

good luck shellster following this post to see how its going, so keep updating.... eeekk x (ps: i love reading ivf/icsi stories, we're only at the beginning of iui but always looking ahead, just in case) x

[Turquoisetamborine]

It's looking great for you. Ten cells is great. Our embryo was 6 cells at day two and top grade but something went wrong.

I am currently on the pill til Sunday. I then wait for a withdrawal bleed, baseline scan is Thursday then start Gonal f. Egg collection around 18th August.

[Shellster52]

Wow, six cells at day 2 sounds amazing. Mine was 5 and I thought that was good. You think that you have a top embryo and you really expect things to work and it's so frustrating not knowing what went wrong. We need a mini camera inserted with the embryo so we can know!

Must be nice finally getting started again instead of all the waiting. Alright I must TRY and get some sleep. I am super paranoid that I am going to go in for transfer tomorrow and be told that the embryo has arrested or it's a low grade. I have had 6 failed IVF attempts and just can't believe that this will happen.

[resipsa]

Hi Shell. Best of luck. I had 3 and 5 day transfer success so unsure if it really makes a difference.

(Both lost at 6 weeks but that's another issue).

[bessie84]

best of luck shellster xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[bessie84]

how did it go shellster?