Question for previous successful IVFers who have frozen embryos waiting

[Anonymous]

We conceived our 2.5 year old son after our first attempt at IVF. Consequently we have 5 embryos "on ice" and we are waiting to decide what to do with them. We haven't actively started TTC number two yet, but I've been thinking about it a lot.

My question is sort of a weird one. I've been feeling weird about having children who were technically "conceived" at the same time via IVF but raised as different aged siblings depending on what order the IVF procedures were done. Does anyone else think about this? I know I need to get over it, and that having healthy children is most important, but for some reason I've been dwelling on it a lot.

I did do some quick internet research to see if there are any health issues that arise when children are born as a result of thawing embryos. There appears not to be much, although I did read something about a recent study showing that the babies born to women who get pregnant as a result of thawing embryos from a previous egg retrieval tend to have safer births/healthier babies at birth.

Anyway, if you aren't completely confused by my comments/question above, and you have an opinion, I'd love to hear it. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I understand, but I haven't felt any of those emotions. My son is 14 months old and I can't wait to get into my frozen blasts. I guess I just don't see what's weird about it.

[Anonymous]

I now have a 27 month old daughter from two 5 day fresh embryos and am now pregnant with healty twins from 2 frozen 5 day embryos. I can honestly say that I have not thought of what you are feeling. I can't call them all three twins because they grew at different rates. I think of it as wonderful thing that they all came from the same batch of eggs though.

[Anonymous]

I did a fresh cycle and have a healthy baby girl 4 yrs. old. From that cycle I have had an FET and have a baby girl 1 1/2. I never had the thought you have been
having. In fact, my girls look very much a like and everyone says they look like twins. Yeah, well they are my own little twins in my way---they were conceived at the same
time through modern medication, one was just frozen for 3 years. I am getting ready to do another IVF to conceive a 3rd child and will be using the same frozen embroys from the 1st child. I love my frozen embryos because it means I don't have to go through a fresh IVF cycle again--that's a blessing!

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks everyone. You guys are all correct... no need to feel weird about it. Just view it as the blessing it is!

I think I just wanted the opportunity to process the thought. I feel better. Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Just view it as the blessing it is!

agreed! some people aren't lucky enough to have enough to freeze. best wishes!

[Anonymous]

Think of it this way - women are born with all of their eggs - so in reality all sibs are at least 50% twins!

[Anonymous]

OP again....

PP, I like that very much! Thanks again, all. And in no way do I mean to sound ungrateful for actually having eggs to freeze. (Still, you guys were good to remind me how grateful I should be.)

[Anonymous]

OP, I had similar feelings about my second child through FET, it just struck me as weird to think he was conceived on the same day as his older sister, but at the heart of my fear was the thought that he was frozen for 2 years. I know it sounds crazy, but I used to dream of about an embryo with ear muffs. I think the technology is great and I'm so blessed to have my two kids, but sometimes it's overwhelming to think of the science behind these miracles....humbling to say the least. I was lucky to have a doctor (Dr Gordon at Dominion Fertility) who respected my fears, and didn't think I was crazy for asking a 100 times if my frostie is really going to be ok.
We have a different dilemna now, what to do with the 3 we have left. Please understand I'm incredibly grateful for our two miracle children, but we are not prepared to have another, but I feel that we have an obligation to these embryos. Anyone else face this issue?

[Anonymous]

OP again ... PP, you encapsulated my thoughts exactly (and said it waaaay better). Thanks for sharing.

Btw, I used Dr DiMattina at DF!

Have you read the new book "Everything Conceivable" by Liza Mundy? There is a whole chapter about the dilemma you are currently facing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did a fresh cycle and have a healthy baby girl 4 yrs. old. From that cycle I have had an FET and have a baby girl 1 1/2. I never had the thought you have been
having. In fact, my girls look very much a like and everyone says they look like twins. Yeah, well they are my own little twins in my way---they were conceived at the same
time through modern medication, one was just frozen for 3 years. I am getting ready to do another IVF to conceive a 3rd child and will be using the same frozen embroys from the 1st child. I love my frozen embryos because it means I don't have to go through a fresh IVF cycle again--that's a blessing!

NP here. I'm in a similar situation, and I'm constantly told that mine look like twins! Interestingly enough, my younger son, who was born as a result of a FET, is more robust and healthy than his older brother, who was a fresh embie..

[Anonymous]

My third child is actually my oldest! My third child was conceived 3 years before my 1st.