As an intended parent going through IVF, one of the biggest decisions you’ll face is how many embryos to transfer. Some may want to transfer 3 embryos in hopes of increasing their chances of success, but it's important to understand the potential outcomes and risks.
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While a three embryo transfers may seem like the best way to maximize your chances of pregnancy, the process is more complex than simply increasing numbers. From 3 embryo transfer success rates to the risk of multiples, there are several factors to consider before starting your journey.
In this article, we’ll explore the three embryo transfer success rates compared to one or two, and discuss how using a surrogate could enhance your chances of starting or growing your family.
3 Embryo Transfer Success Rates
Recent research reveals that women who have three normal embryos have a 95% chance of achieving pregnancy over multiple embryo transfers.
However, this success rate may be lower when transferring all three embryos at once compared to transferring one at a time. The possibility of losing all three embryos in one cycle can be a significant emotional and financial burden for intended parents.
Studies have shown that transferring multiple embryos does not necessarily lead to a higher live birth rate per IVF cycle compared to single embryo transfers (SET). For instance, single embryo transfers have been associated with similar success rates while reducing the risk of multiple pregnancies.
The transfer of two embryos, meanwhile, offers a middle ground, balancing the desire for increased chances with a lower risk of complications.
A study published by PFCLA noted that single embryo transfers are highly successful in women under 35, with pregnancy rates close to 60% per transfer. The risk of multiple pregnancies is greatly reduced, which lowers complications for both mother and child. While transferring two embryos can slightly increase your chances of pregnancy, studies show the increase isn’t always proportional to the risk of multiple births. On average, the success rate for transferring two embryos in younger women is around 60%. 3 embryo transfers are sometimes considered for women with low embryo quality or advanced maternal age, but the chance of multiples significantly increases, bringing with it greater medical risks . While the overall chance of pregnancy may rise, the associated complications can make this choice less desirable for many.Comparing Success Rates [1, 2, or 3 Embryos]
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Factors Affecting Success Rate of 3 Embryo Transfer
Several factors influence the outcome of an embryo transfer, whether it’s one, two, or three embryos:
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Maternal Age: Younger women typically have higher success rates in IVF, and the quality of embryos tends to decline with age.
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Embryo Quality: The number of chromosomally normal embryos directly impacts your chances of success. Genetic testing, such as preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), can help identify embryos most likely to result in a live birth.
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Uterine Health: A healthy uterine environment is essential for embryo implantation and a successful pregnancy. Factors like endometrial thickness and the absence of fibroids can enhance the likelihood of a successful transfer.
Risks of Transferring Three Embryos
While transferring three embryos may seem like a strategic choice to increase your chances of success, it also comes with significant risks:
Higher Chances of Multiples
A three embryo transfer dramatically increases the risk of twins or triplets. Multiple pregnancies are associated with higher rates of preterm birth, low birth weight and complications for both the mother and babies.
Depleting Embryo Supply
If you transfer all three embryos and the cycle is unsuccessful, you may lose the opportunity to try again with the same batch of embryos. This could result in needing to undergo another egg retrieval cycle, adding to both the financial and emotional burden.
How Surrogacy Boosts Success Rates
For many intended parents, surrogacy can be a game-changer when it comes to improving IVF success rates. Surrogates are typically women who have undergone successful pregnancies before and have been carefully screened to ensure they’re ready to carry a pregnancy.
Our gestational surrogates undergo extensive screenings to ensure they are in excellent physical health and emotionally prepared for the surrogacy journey. This careful selection process helps create the ideal conditions for your embryo to develop in a nurturing, stable environment.
Here are the key requirements we ask our surrogates to meet, which contribute to higher success rates:
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Age Range: Surrogates are typically between 21–40, an age group known for favorable pregnancy outcomes.
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BMI: Surrogates must maintain a body mass index (BMI) between 19–32 to support a healthy pregnancy.
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Previous Pregnancy Experience: All surrogates have successfully carried and delivered at least one full-term, uncomplicated pregnancy, demonstrating their ability to carry a healthy pregnancy to term.
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Healthy Habits: Our surrogates are committed to a non-smoking, drug-free lifestyle to ensure both their well-being and the baby's.
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No History of Major Medical Issues: Surrogates must have a medical history free of significant complications, such as preeclampsia, to reduce the risks during pregnancy.
With American Surrogacy, you can trust that we thoroughly pre-screen surrogates for physical and emotional readiness, leading to a higher chance of a successful outcome.
Our agency’s quick matching times, extensive marketing strategies and financial protection ensure a smooth and supportive process, allowing you to focus on what matters most: becoming parents.
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Surrogates often have optimal uterine health, which increases the chance of a successful transfer even with fewer embryos. In fact, many surrogacy and fertility specialists encourage single embryo transfers to minimize health risks for both the surrogate and the baby.
Next Steps
Whether you're still considering your IVF options or have already started the process, it’s important to have a solid plan. If surrogacy is part of your journey, we can help match you with a surrogate who meets your specific needs.
If you're already in the process, now is a great time to get a jump on paperwork and start preparing for the next steps. Our team is ready to support you every step of the way. Contact us online now to begin your journey to parenthood.