Double Embryo Transfer

[summerluven]

The clinic that I was at flat out refused for most cases unless you were a bit older (didn't 'go there' with them, so don't know what exactly they consider to be the appropriate age or appropriate circumstances), and I kinda understand where they are coming from, but a friend had two embryos 'accidentally' transferred, after already having given birth to a set of twins not quite two years before that. I gather that her clinic wasn't so strict on tranferring more than one embryo, otherwise surely some questions would have been asked, so I guess there are clinics out there who are a bit easier to talk to about it.

DH and I both raised the subject with each other more than once, but now glad that we didn't go there, not that we would have been able to. At the time, I just didn't want to have to go through all that 'stuff' again to have a second child and thought that having two in one shot would answer that, but now I am kinda glad. For now, one is enough. But if we had experienced a few BFN's then I probably would have started making some noise about it, and wouldn't have been too happy with having the choice taken away from us.

[briggsy's girl]

i think a lot of the overseas clinics allow multiple transfers cos freezing of embryo's is either impossible, or damn expensive!! also, for some religions, the freezing of embryo's is forbidden, so overseas clinics will allow transfer of more embryo's...

as has been said, a large number of clinics (or individual FS') within Australia will only allow transfer of one embryo each time - the standards within Australia, as far as i understand, prevent transfer of anymore than two at a time for ethical reasons (can't remember how it was worded, but i read it somewhere!) - our clinic has a preference for one for early treatment cycles, but will move up to two after a few failed cycles. for me, it was my first FET that we moved to two embies - but i'd had two cancelled, two failed and one successful IUI in the past (chem pregnancy) as well as the failed fresh transfer - not sure what will be happening this time but i'm leaning toward transferring our two remaining embryo's, and hoping like nothing else that i never have to go through it all again!

[{sarah}]

We were told that Australian law says there are only two reasons that they are allowed to transfer more than one embryo & that they can be fined big time because of it. The two circumstances are a medically deemed reason (ie having more than three failed attempts) or maternal age greater than 35 years. I thin some clinics bend the rules though.

[briggsy's girl]

i'm glad someone has been able to get a straight answer Sarah!

i'm guessing my failed IUI's must have been taken into account then - it was the FS that asked if we wanted to transfer two...

[nic]

Our clinic preferred one transfer as well, but both of our FS, were always talking about having two transferred.

BG - Our latest clinic newsletter says the "Fertility Society of Australia has set guidelines that require fertility clinics to transfer a maximum of two embryo's as part of IVF treatment"

Nic

[diva det]

we are given the choice on how many we have transfered
i have had both two and one tranferred at a time
after having a successfully double tranfer (I have twins) i would think long and hard about what you are getting yourself into!!!
i will never be having two tranferred again
i love my twins to death and would not have it any other way- but my pg was absoluletly horrible( i lost 20kg) and my twins were born 10 weeks early with only 10 and 20 % chance of survival.
When there were hear and well- that was the easy bit in comparison!
I wouldn't wish what we went through on my worse enemy!!!
defintaely a solo embryo girl here and even on our last try, we were given the choice on how many we have tranferred- so don't know about the rules you were talking about Sarah- as my FS didn't say anything, and we go through the same clinic i am sure of!!
strange
HTH
its all what you are prepared to get yourself into!
odette

[~BecD~]

Thanks for the responses ladies. Ideally we would just like to have the one baby rather than twins, but we'd like to at least have the option of a double transfer if thats what we decide we want.

For us it comes down to the fact that there are only a finite number of cycles that we can afford to do emotionally and financially. Twins is a better result than no child at all.

[{sarah}]

Odette aren't you in Victoria??

Just been searching on the NHMRC (the governing body for IVF in Australia) website & can't actually find anything on it. I might contact SIVF & see if I can get some more info.

[diva det]

DOH!
forgot sarah that we are in a different state- sorry
i see MIVF- grr
sorry about the confusion!
have a look at your clinics website to see what they say about double tranfers as well!
i know what you mean about infinate cycles and $$$$$
it drains your physically, emotionally and financially thats for sure!!!
hence why we haven't started cycle number 8 yet!!!!

[sushee]

Bec,

some clinics in WA obtained their licences on the priviso that they only transfer 1 blastocyst per transfer. Hollywood is one such clinic, and you will not be able to get 2 embryo transfer with them, because they only ever transfer blasts. Other clinics such as Concept and Pivet are permitted to access your situation and recommend 2 embryos in some cases, and 3 embryos in extreme cases, but these are usually Day 2 embryos unless you have significant failure to implant issues.

I was with Concept and had 2 embryos transferred every time from my 2nd cycle with them, but they were 2 day two embryos until my last cycle, where we transferred 2 blastocysts.

Whereever you go in WA, you will find that you have to trade off - 2 embryos at day 2 or one embyro at blastocyst, especially when you first start IVF. No clinic or FS will let you go straight to a 2 blastocyst transfer.

PM me hun if you want more info on which WA clinics do what.