Time magazine published an article this week about a recent study that suggests that the most effective and inexpensive IVF method may also be the least likely to result in dangerous multiple births – single embryo transfer.In 2005, during my first IVF cycle to achieve pregnancy (not my egg freezing cycle), my doctor and I discussed single embryo transfer. I was desperate to have a baby and adamantly against it. That was 4 years ago and research come a long way since then, but I am still not sure my answer would be different today. While I have no interest in becoming the octomom, I like the idea of having twins. When I really dig deep though, the root of my decision is cost and convenience.
I have been through 6 IVF cycles thus far. On average it takes me 2-3 cycles to get pregnant, each cycle costing $22,000 or more (IVF + ICSI + PGD + Medications). Even with partial insuarnce coverage, it is expensive. Somehow, I just didn't feel comfortable spending that money and only transferring 1 embryo. I also liked the idea of twins in that it would get me to my goal of a big family faster. 2-3 fewer IVF cycles down the road, 1 less pregnancy, etc. The reality of all of the risks of multiples are scary though and if cost wasn’t a factor, they would trump convenience for me.
So, I wonder, would more people be willing to do single embryo transfer, if insurance paid for IVF? And, would insurance be more willing to cover IVF, if people did single embryo transfer? Maybe this is the answer we’ve all been waiting for…
I would love to think that science has advanced to the point that you would have an equal chance in conceiving with single-embryo transfer as with more, but until then I'm with you. Unless insurance providers drastically change their coverage plans and provide more support for ART and IVF I think most people would agree that they would rather chance having multiples and fulfill their family dreams sooner. We're about to start our first IVF cycle and we have no insurance coverage for the services. It's worth the expense to us, but of course we're hoping for success the first time around so that we don't have to incur even more cost.
ReplyDeletei hope, wish and pray this could be the answer! as the idea of multiples scares me to death i think i would go broke until i was successful with one embryo transfer at a time.
ReplyDeleteHi Lindsay-
ReplyDeleteMy name is Susan and I am 37 and although I did not have cancer, (my mom did when she was 40) I do suffer from infertility. Over four years I had five failed cycles of IVF after five failed cycles of medicated IUIs. I had three miscarriages, one chemical pregnancy and one cycle where my only two embryos "arrested" on the day of my transfer as I was on my way to the clinic. On my final IVF cycle ( I say final b/c we had made the decision that if it did not work that would be the last) I transferred four embryos. I became pregnant with twins but unfortunately lost one of the babies earl in the pregnancy. Although it was a very difficult pregnancy, I gave birth, a very dramatic birth, to my daughter 8 months ago. She is beautiful. My life. I am not able to have any more pregnancies due to complications from this one, but we are currently in the adoption process for the Philippines, where my husband's family is from. The reason I am writing to you and I do hope that you receive these messages, is b/c I am interested in starting my own non-profit organization providing support to women/men/couples/families who are dealing with infertility in some way. I have a background in psychology, my undergraduate work is general psychology and I am pursuing a Master's in Social Work. My with personal experience and my education, I feel I would be able to provide the best coaching possible to women and couples in need. Again, I do not know where to begin and was hoping you might be a great resource for me.
Hope to hear from you soon. Your story is amazingly inspirational.
Sincerely,
Susan Teeden-Cielo
satsac14@gmail.com
Hi. I am in the middle of ivf process and i am scared of having more than 1 embryo transfer. i already have one "ivf" child and do not wish to have more than one more child. that's why im trying to learn as much as possible about single-ET. btw, we have to pay for everything ourselves.
ReplyDeleteWell I'm still thinking of the possibility of a having a baby in a natural way than paying a lot for a single embryo.For those who are desperate,we just need to pray for a baby which is a grace from GOD.
ReplyDeletePray for a baby? Really? Thats your answer? I prayed for a puppy when I was six and I didn't get that either so if its all the same to you instead of waiting for god to give me a baby, I think I'll ask my doctor instead. I have a feeling i'll have better luck with him.
ReplyDeleteThat's right all. God graces only very special wonderful privileged people with babies and if you don't have a baby He must be punishing you for something REALLY bad!!
ReplyDeleteThat's why wonderful people like this lady get to have so many babies:
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/08/08/netherlands.dead.babies/index.html#fbid=5FDgULaOxnF&wom=false
Yeah, fuck off 'pray for a baby' lady.
PS. I'm having a single embryo transfer next week (provided I get some embryos at all - retrieval is Monday). This is my first IVF cycle and I have tubal infertility and I don't want to risk a multiple pregnancy. SET is very common in countries where insurance covers IVF, like Scandinavia and the Benelux countries. In Germany, where I live, 3 cycles are 50% covered. My out of pocket cost total is around 1500 EUR per cycle. Frozen transfer will cost me about 200 EUR.
Are you for real. Yes we all pray every day for a miracle like getting pregnant naturally but some of us just cant! And some people only are lucky enough to get one embryo & are thankful for it, If u can get pregnant are your own then go do it and keep your opinions to yourself
ReplyDeleteEvery life does indeed come from God...whether it be from infertility treatments or whether it be "natural" (as you call it) without Him..life doesn't happen. I have a child born to us without treatments and a child born to us through IVF...is either of them more "natural" than the other? Was my first child given to me through God and the other through my doctor? NO...the Lord breathes life...period..
ReplyDeleteso - people can't afford another ivf - how are they going to afford twins? doesn't sound wise - and yes - i have been through ivf three times - i am on my fourth - in the two week wait with a donor cycle = transferred one embryo = didn't want twins = didn't want to stress out my cherished marriage,etc just a thought...people get desperate to have children and don't think clearly! i get it - i have been there -
ReplyDeleteI am 27 and will be beginning my first IVF cycle. My husband and I are trying to decide whether to do a sigle or double embryo transfer. Suggestions?
ReplyDeleteI was deathly afraid of multiples. I would not consider transplanting more than 2 and in the beginning I wouldn't have even considered that. As we struggled through the process where we had a failed IUI and 1st IVF we didn't get to egg retrieval as my body didn't respond to the medications. This time I really thought about what I was afraid of with twins and it was mainly thinking I couldn't manage it- my life would be so difficult. Then I realized that I could probably manage though life would be hectic and stressful. So I determined I would transplant 2 embryos to increase the chances...then we only got 1 live embryo. Guess we got our answer.
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