Hey there fellow forum members! I’ve been pondering about the number of embryos to bank for a future family of 4 or 5 kids. Do you think it’s wise to consider another retrieval before even going through the first embryo transfer? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences on this matter! Let’s discuss and navigate this decision together.
Allegedly, the chances are 3 euploids for every live birth. I had 8 euploids, used 6, resulting in one living child and a loss in the second trimester. The statistics were not in my favor."
It is possible that it could be sufficient. It is uncertain. We had 5 euploid embryos, now have 2 children and I am pregnant with my third. Unfortunately, we lost one to miscarriage and one during the thaw process. I am thankful not to have any remaining embryos.
If I wanted to have that many kids, I would definitely consider having 12.
It took me two euploid embryos to have my son, and now after two more euploid embryos, I am 14 weeks pregnant. Having 6 embryos may not be safe for 4-5 children, so it depends on how many you want. Having 3 children is also not very safe, although it is possible. In my last retrieval, my estrogen was at 20321 at trigger lol.
Best of luck with whichever decision you choose to make.
Given my endometriosis and autoimmune problems, I am definitely considering another retrieval. I would also opt for a few months of depot lupron before a transfer. It is much more difficult to undergo retrievals if you exhaust your embryos after having a successful birth than simply doing transfers.
To be frank, while 3 euploid embryos may seem sufficient, I recommend aiming for 9-10 before starting transfers. This will give you a buffer in case transfers are not successful. It’s important to consider the long-term implications of running out of embryos after multiple failed attempts or years of treatments.
If you are comfortable with having 3 children, one transfer may be a good option, increasing your chances of success. However, if you want more than 3 children, it may be best to consider another retrieval. Remember, at 30 years old, you still have time to consider another retrieval after a live birth, potentially achieving a successful outcome by the age of 33-35.
I had success with my fertility treatments, getting pregnant on my first IUI, then again on my fourth IUI, and finally through my first FET. However, I acknowledge that my experience is not typical and I was lucky. It is important to consider factors such as age and the number of children you want when deciding how many euploid embryos to bank. In my opinion, it is better to have more embryos saved up than not enough, especially considering the time it takes to have multiple children. So, I recommend banking more euploid embryos now to increase your chances of success and make the process easier in the long run.
Having 3 euploids per child is generally considered a good guideline, but results can vary greatly from one pregnancy to the next. In my case, I have undergone four euploid transfers so far while planning on having 3 kids. The outcomes have been a live birth, two failures to implant, and currently I am 18 weeks pregnant with normal and healthy fetal testing. I have more euploids remaining in storage as I was cautious and wanted to ensure I had enough for potential additional transfers.
I have endometriosis and have undergone 3 unsuccessful transfers with high-quality euploid embryos. If I aimed to have 5 children, I would consider banking at least 15-20 embryos due to the difficulty of implantation with endometriosis. Despite having 4 embryos, my doctor suggested it may be enough for 2 children, but it seems it may not have even been enough for 1.
Our doctor recommended having 2-3 euploid embryos for each desired live birth. After undergoing two consecutive embryo retrievals, we were fortunate to have a high number of euploid embryos. If you are aiming for a certain number of children and prefer not to use donor embryos, it is advisable to consider banking embryos. Congratulations on achieving six euploid embryos already - that’s a significant milestone!
There is a possibility, but it is also highly probable that it will not suffice. Personally, having 4 kids and expecting twins, it took 10 euploids. In my opinion, I would not consider transferring anything less than 9 PGT embryos based on your goals (which may include having 3 kids).
Content Warning: Due to my BRCA1 mutation, I began IVF in 2017 to prevent passing it on to my children. After multiple retrievals and transfers, I had 4 live births from 8 embryos.
We have 4 euploids and the first two transfers have been successful. I have an 11-month-old and am 9 weeks pregnant with the second. The plan is to eventually transfer all 4 and the number of children we have will depend on which ones stick. If you want 4-6 children, consider doing another egg retrieval as statistically, you are unlikely to get 6 with what you have. It’s more likely you’ll have 2-3. Starting transfers will use up precious time when you could be getting more good embryos from another retrieval. If I were aiming for 4-6 children, I would go ahead and do another egg retrieval instead of starting transfers. Typically, clinics wait a year after the birth of your first child before proceeding with any more IVF procedures. This means you could be out of IVF activity for 21 months with the usual waiting period. It’s tempting to start transfers right away, but having a successful transfer will delay another egg retrieval significantly.
The first of the three is currently sleeping in another room, the second attempt was unsuccessful, and the third is showing a faint pink line at 8 days past a 5-day transfer. If you can handle it, I would consider another round. Additionally, it is much easier to undergo egg retrievals when you don’t already have children, and the quality tends to be better at a younger age.
Considering your age, the success of your first few transfers can determine your options. If the first transfer is successful, you have the chance for 5 more transfers for 2 more babies, giving you good odds. However, if the subsequent transfers are not successful and you are having children close in age, a retrieval might be a viable option.
Even though younger embryos are often preferred, at 30 you still have the advantage of being able to try a few transfers and potentially have successful retrievals in the future if needed.
Hey, just wanted to clarify that the “3 euploids for 1 live birth” statistic refers specifically to the likelihood of one successful live birth, not needing 15 euploids for 5 kids. You’re pretty close to that number, so I suggest considering another retrieval to bank more embryos. With your age on your side, there’s still plenty of time to pursue additional retrievals if needed. Best of luck to you!
Consider aiming for 9 euploids for a good chance of having 3 kids, and you may want to aim for 15 euploids for 5 kids. If you decide to do another retrieval, I recommend taking 5mg of letrozole daily during the cycle to help control estrogen levels and make the process more comfortable. I had a cycle with an estrogen level of 1100 without letrozole, but with it, my max estrogen was only 900. I highly recommend it. Additionally, consider adding cabergoline and Lupron as triggers if you haven’t already.