Looking for Advice and Reassurance on a Day 3 Transfer

[samkris123]

I am very new to chatting in this manner, but thankful that I came across mothering.com. I am 27 and have had a mess of infertility problems for the last 13 years. It all started with endometriosis and one problem turned into another. My husband and I began IVF a couple of weeks ago and are preparing for a day 3 transfer tomorrow (Friday, 9/10). I am extremely nervous because I have heard a lot of negative feedback in regards to day 3 transfers. Due to a laparoscopy surgery gone wrong, I only have one ovary and one fallopian tube, which is blocked. My egg retrieval surgery was Tuesday; at that time they harvested 7 eggs. Sadly, however, only 2 of these eggs fertilized. The doctors even performed ICSI. Only having 2 embryos, I am very nervous about our success. I am writing today in hopes that someone may provide reassurance and lift my spirits. I am very thankful that we at least have 2 fertilized embryos, but it was still disappointing to find out that we did not have 4 or 5 as we were expecting. I am also scared of doing a day 3 transfer because I have been told it lowers your success rate for becoming pregnant. Our doctor is wonderful and did provide us with the option for a day 5 transfer, but he highly recommends going through with a day 3 transfer. Any information and/or encouragement would be greatly appreciated. My husband, who is extremely supportive and has been there every step of the way, doesn't understand my disappointment. Thank you and God bless!

[CLH_X3]

hey hun,

Im sorry i dont have any info to tell i just wanted to give a massive and lots of good luck!!!

I hope everything goes ok and you have a h&h 9 months!!

xx

[ValH]

Hi SamKris - I don't have any experience with IVF, but just wanted to wish you lots of luck!

[gemasita]

samkris - we did 5 IVFs and only one day 5 transfer. I used to be a big believer in day 5 transfers but now I realize that it's a numbers game. Day 5 transfers do make sense when you have a large number of embryos to work with but day 3 transfers make sense when you have a smaller number. You wouldn't be upping your chances by waiting to transfer those 2 embryos until day 5. Make sense? It would only make sense if you had, let's say, 10, and were going to put back 2. How would you choose the right 2? But you have 2 to work with so you KNOW which ones to put back.

If it makes you feel any better, we were successful with a day 3 transfer. I was SO hoping to get enough to push to day 5 but I think we only had 5 and put back 3 (since it was our 5th try) so we just didn't have the numbers to move to day 5. I am like you with the 1 ovary and one tube (that is non-functional) so IVF was our only option.

Try to go with the flow. Your body is doing the best it can for you so now you have to try and let the process go forward by working with what you have.

[Buzzer Beater]

Just wanted to wish you luck! We had a day 3 transfer and it worked... I believe your body is the best place for those embryos.

[poetgirl]

I had a successful day 2 transfer. The first time we only had 1 egg and it didn't take. The second, we had 5 but 3 were really not so hot. My clinic only did 2 day transfers period and had a whooping 70% success rate during the mth I did ivf. I think it's good to have those eggs back in you, and ditto what Gemasita said. Good Luck!

[Crunchy Frog]

I had a successful day 3 transfer. It was with embryos that had been frozen for 10 years, were thawed, and then grew out to the 3 day stage. Since there were only 4 embryos that made to 3 days, the doctor didn't feel comfortable going with a 5 day transfer. I had the two best looking ones transferred and ended up with two babies.

With only 2 embryos, your likelyhood of success is much higher with a 3 day than a 5 day transfer. There is no laboratory that can replicate the conditions inside your own body, and that is the best place for them.

Best of luck to you.