Stats for embryo transfer in 37 year old

[purplepiggie]

Hello,
My husband has a low sperm count and we ended up having a baby by in vitro fertilization when I was 33. We were successful on our first try with implanting 2 embryos, and I have no problems according to my gynecologist. We want a second child and we have 8 frozen embryos in stasis. We only want ONE more child, though and I know the rate of twinning with implanting 2 embryos is much higher. My husband has very reluctantly agreed to have another child but he is terrified of twins so the only way he will agree to this is if we only implant one embryo per try. Now I am 37 and a half and I know fertility starts to decline quickly after the age of 35.

Can you give me an idea of what our chances are of a live birth with only one embryo being transfered?

Thank you!

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
The chances of a livebirth depend upon the quality of the embryos.  The quality of the embryos depends upon the age of the egg donor, and varies even from cycle to cycle.  There is a definite trend in IVF toward transferring only one embryo in the hopes of reducing the rate of higher order muliples.  Interestingly, there is a higher rate of IDENTICAL twinning with IVF -- when one embryo splits into two.  There are definitely NO guarantees in this business!
Also remember that if you do decide to transfer only one embryo, remaining embryos can be frozen for later attempts.
For a really great website, and more information check out GoIVF.com
Good luck!
Dr B

[mhv]

Yea, I could see how that would be stressful.  Maybe you would want to consider doing 2 then?  I think if you go into it with a high level of security, you would have a better shot of not being so stressed, and the transfer being successful.  I would talk to your RE about it, and see what he recommends on how many to transfer.  I think they have a good idea about how strong the embryos are, and know what the chance of them both taking is.  this whole fertility rollarcoaster sukks!  My husband and I have went back and forth too. I'm older then you, and we still don't have any, so my hubby keeps saying "we're too old!"... but, he keeps showing up, so I give him credit.   if you need support, please come over to the fertility forum. You will tons of ladies going through exactly what you are : )
We'd love to have you!!!

[purplepiggie]

The emotional stress is definitely a concern. I have been under considerable emotional stress already from trying and wanting to conceive for the last 3 years, plus arguing about it with my husband when he changed his mind after our first was born and decided we were done having kids. Nuh-uh, buddy! He agreed to have 2 before we got married (I specifically told him I wouldn't marry him unless he agreed to have kids and we then talked numbers and agreed on 2). Now I just have to get him to sign the papers to go ahead with a transfer and am worried he'll back out again. Gahhh!!  Then if it doesn't work the first time, I'll be pretty depressed and I'll have to go through it all again...and again..etc (with no emotional support from Hubby because he'll be secretly relieved). Not the greatest senario but I'll do whatever it takes.

[mhv]

again, your age doesn't play a factor.  Your eggs are from when you were 33.  That's why success rates for older women is so much high with donor eggs.  It isn't the age of the women, but the egg of the eggs.

[mhv]

The only thing about thawing 1 at a time is, if it doesn't survive, you  may have to wait another month.  Escpecially if your doing a natural cycle.  They try and time it around your natural ovulation.  How wonderful would it be if it happened on the first try though!!!  So, if your not in a hurry, and can take the emotional stress of possible negatives I say... Go For IT! : )  
I would still take my chances with 2 tee hee!!!  

[purplepiggie]

We did a fresh transfer the first time as that was the cycle that the eggs were collected, etc. The embryos were 6 days old when frozen and my doctor has said we can thaw one at a time, and if one isn't viable, thaw another one, etc. Compared to the initial expense of the collection and transfer, the price is quite reasonable for frozen ET and I don't have to take any drugs. It'll be about 1/10th of the cost so we are willing to try as many times as we have embryos.

I think the live pregnancy rate for a woman over 35 is about 20% with 2 embryos but I'm not sure what it would be with 1. 10%? Not great odds, I know.

[mhv]

The only reason your chances decrease with age is because of egg quality for an aging woman..  If you are doing frozen embryos, and have been successful with them before, then you have a great chance of them working again.  

I think most of us transfer more then 1 at a time because of the expense and time.  If you and your husband are willing and able financially to do 1 at a time, go for it.
The other question to ask is... how were they frozen?  Most of the time, an RE will freeze embryos with 3 or 4 in a group, and thaw a group. This is because not all of the embyos will survive the thaw.
  If that is the case, and they are frozen say 4 to a group, and say 2 or 3 make it through the thawing process, are you willing to let the other surviving embryos in that group to be destroyed in essence and only transfer 1 of them?  That's something your husband and you would have to decide.  

good luck in your decision!