Banking Strategy — How Many Retrievals to Plan

Key Takeaways

• A smart banking strategy avoids running out of embryos mid-journey — especially for surrogacy or future siblings.
• The number of retrievals you need depends on age, ovarian reserve, PGT-A goals, and preferred family size.
• Older age groups usually require more retrievals to generate at least one euploid embryo.
• Planning upfront saves time, cost, and emotional burnout.
• No clinic can guarantee outcomes, but “probability planning” gives you the highest chance of success.

Many intended parents start IVF believing that one retrieval is enough. But real-world data shows wide variation in how many eggs become embryos — and how many embryos become euploid, transferrable, or ultimately lead to a live birth.

If your journey includes gestational surrogacy, PGT-A testing, or future sibling planning, a banking strategy is essential. This article explains how to calculate the number of retrievals you likely need, what variables matter most, and when it’s time to adapt your plan.

Why a Banking Strategy Matters

A banking strategy ensures you collect enough eggs or embryos before moving to transfer — especially when:

• You want 1–2 euploid embryos for surrogacy
• You want two or more children
• You are 35+ and concerned about quality decline
• You’re doing IVF abroad and need precise planning
• You’ve had inconsistent or unexpected cycle outcomes

Without a banking strategy, you risk stopping mid-path when you discover you don’t have enough viable embryos — leading to delays, higher costs, and emotional strain.

Key Variables That Determine Number of Retrievals

Age and Egg Quality

Age strongly influences how many eggs you need to create one normal embryo:

• Under 35: ~8–12 eggs per normal embryo
• 35–37: ~12–20 eggs
• 38–40: ~20–30 eggs
• 41–42: 30+ eggs
• 43+: Very low probability — donor eggs often recommended

Ovarian Reserve (AMH, AFC)

Higher AMH/AFC → more eggs per retrieval → fewer cycles needed.
Low AMH/AFC → fewer eggs per cycle → more cycles needed.

PGT-A Testing

If using PGT-A, the need for more embryos increases because abnormal embryos are excluded.

Fertilization & Blastocyst Rates

These vary by clinic and lab quality — a major factor in how many retrievals you need.

Goal: One Child or Multiple?

Single-child families may only need 1–2 euploid embryos.
Two-child families may require 3–4 euploid embryos.

Surrogacy Requirements

Surrogacy journeys typically require:

• 2–3 PGT-A normal embryos for the highest reliability
• Backup embryos if miscarriage or failed transfer occurs

Age-Based Retrieval Planning Framework

Under 35

Goal: 1–2 euploid embryos
Often: 1 retrieval may be enough
But: 2 cycles recommended if banking for two children

Ages 35–37

Goal: 1–2 euploid embryos
Often: 1–2 retrievals
If low reserve: Plan for 2–3

Ages 38–40

Goal: 1–2 euploid embryos
Often: 2–3 retrievals
If surrogacy: Plan for 3 cycles

Ages 41–42

Plan: 3–4 retrievals for 1–2 euploid embryos
Realistic: Not all cycles may yield normal embryos

43+

Own eggs have very low normal embryo probability
Strongly consider donor eggs for predictability

Embryo Banking for Surrogacy — Special Considerations

Surrogacy journeys need buffer embryos because:

• The surrogate’s uterus is healthy, so embryo quality becomes the primary variable
• Failed transfers often trace back to embryo issues
• Clinics abroad often run on fixed timelines

Recommended:
2–3 euploid embryos before matching with a gestational carrier.

When to Add a Retrieval or Change Strategy

Add more retrievals if:

• No blastocysts formed
• Few embryos and none euploid
• You got fewer eggs than expected
• AMH drops between cycles
• You want future sibling embryos

Change strategy if:

• 2–3 retrievals yield no euploid embryos
• You’re over 42 and still not producing normal embryos
• Egg quality indicators consistently poor
  → Consider donor eggs or donor embryos.

Case Study: From Uncertainty to a Clear Banking Plan

Patient: 37, AMH 1.1, AFC 7
Goal: Two children via surrogacy
Approach: First two retrievals produced only one euploid embryo
Issue: Clinic had not advised a banking strategy; patient assumed one cycle was enough

Revised Plan:

• Aim for 3–4 euploid embryos
• Added antioxidant protocol
• Switched to a lab with higher blastocyst rates

Outcome:
Over three retrievals, she banked three euploid embryos, securing both desired children and a backup.
She later shared that the banking plan “removed all fear because I knew the numbers.”

Testimonials

1. Jen (36)
“I wish someone told me earlier that one retrieval isn’t realistic for most people. The banking strategy saved us time and stress.”

2. Carlos & Rhea (39)
“We needed two euploid embryos for surrogacy. Our clinic helped us map out three planned retrievals — and it worked perfectly.”

3. Maya, 34
“My AMH was low. Having a plan showed me that needing two cycles wasn’t failure — it was realistic biology.”

Expert Quote

Dr. Ananya S., Fertility Specialist:
“Patients don’t fail IVF cycles — cycles fail to produce enough embryos. A planned banking strategy is the single most effective way to improve overall success rates, especially for intended parents pursuing surrogacy or future siblings.”

Related Links

• IVF Success Rates 
• Donor Eggs 
• Surrogacy Embryo Requirements
• Clinics Selection

Glossary

Banking Strategy: Planning multiple retrievals upfront to collect enough embryos.
PGT-A: Genetic screening to identify chromosomally normal embryos.
Euploid Embryo: A genetically normal embryo.
AMH: Hormone indicating ovarian reserve.
AFC: Count of follicles seen via ultrasound.
Retrieval: Surgical procedure to collect eggs after stimulation.
Blastocyst: A day-5 or day-6 embryo ready for freezing or testing.

FAQ

Q. How many retrievals do most people need?

Ans. Most intended parents need 1–3 retrievals depending on age, ovarian reserve, and embryo goals. Younger patients may succeed in one retrieval. Patients 35+ or those planning for two children often need multiple cycles.

Q. How do I know how many eggs I need to get one euploid embryo?

Ans. It varies by age:

• Under 35: 8–12 eggs
• 35–37: 12–20
• 38–40: 20–30
• 41+: 30+
  These are averages and can vary widely.

Q. Should I bank embryos before choosing a surrogate?

Ans. Yes. Embryo banking is recommended before matching with a surrogate to avoid timeline gaps, unexpected cycle delays, or needing emergency retrievals later.

Q. Does a low AMH mean I need more retrievals?

Ans. Yes. Low AMH typically means fewer eggs per cycle, which may require additional cycles to reach your embryo goal — but many people with low AMH still achieve success with smart planning.

Q. Can PGT-A reduce the number of retrievals needed?

Ans. PGT-A doesn’t reduce retrievals, but it clarifies which embryos are normal — preventing failed transfers and reducing emotional and financial waste.

Q. What if I get no normal embryos after a cycle?

Ans. This is common at older ages. If repeated cycles yield no normal embryos, discuss adjusting medication protocols, switching labs, or considering donor eggs.

Q. How many embryos should I bank for two children?

Ans. Aim for 3–4 euploid embryos, since not all transfers lead to live births.

Q. How does clinic lab quality affect the number of retrievals?

Ans. A great deal. High-performing labs have higher fertilization and blastocyst rates, meaning fewer retrievals overall.

Q. Can supplements reduce the number of retrievals I need?

Ans. Supplements like CoQ10 may support mitochondrial function but cannot fix age-related chromosomal issues. They optimize conditions — they don’t change the underlying biology.

Q. Should I do back-to-back retrievals?

Ans. Many clinics recommend back-to-back cycles to maximize egg quality and efficiency, especially for patients 35+ or those on a tight surrogacy timeline.

Q. Will freezing embryos harm success rates?

Ans. Vitrification (modern freezing) keeps survival rates above 95%. Freezing is safe and standard for banking.

Q. What if I want more children later?

Ans. Banking now (especially before age-related decline accelerates) increases your chance of having genetically related siblings in the future.