To PGT-A test or not?

[emma_t]

I'm so confused right now. Due to my age I am thinking that having PGT-A testing would be advisable for my next round of IVF to avoid more let downs. I've previously had IVF in Denmark where the care and staff were amazing, but since haven't been able to find an affordable UK clinic who are as responsive, or who I feel are as good as the Danish clinic. I would go back there in a heartbeat, but PGT-A isn't allowed in Denmark.

I suppose, I'm writing to ask whether PGA-testing actually hasn't served some people well? Did you have the tests and then not get pregnant/miscarry? Maybe I should go back to where I feel cared for and just hope for the best without testing?

I'm so confused as to what is best!

[Millak]

Hi,

Yes for sure! I had a very high chance for DS through NHS testing with my PGT A embryo. But because it was tested already it was less likely.

I’m over 40 and out of my 5 embryos only one was normal and currently 22 weeks!

Good luck you are welcome to DM and I can give you a clinic recommendation.

[emma_t in reply to Millak]

Thank you Millak! That is very helpful, it is all so confusing!

[Bexarama83 in reply to emma_t]

This is a very similar story to mine…had 5 transfers, 2 miscarriages. Tested 6 embryos, only 1 normal. I’m currently 25wks with that one normal 💕 I’m 40, eggs were collected at 39. For some people it doesn’t work out like this but for me, it was the best decision ever to prevent another miscarriage. Best of luck with whatever you do xxxx

[McQueeny]

It’s very personal so it’s hard to answer. But here is my take.

I never tested in the past, as we only ever got 2-3 embryos per round, so preferred just to transfer (after all PGT-A isn’t perfect and there are risks of discarding or harming a good embryo etc).

But, in our last egg collection (5th) I knew it was going to be the last one - then if no joy it would be either donor eggs or stop. So the doctor recommended testing, so we could at least find out what kind of embryos we were making. If all were abnormal, that would be the answer and we’d go for a donor. If the embryos were good, then a transfer is worth doing. I didn’t have the emotional energy for more heartache and failed transfers.

So, we tested - the embryos were good and I’m currently 18 weeks 🤞🤞. Of course the testing doesn’t improve the embryos, it could just be luck…. But I’m glad we did. As another lady here sai, I came up as very high risk in the NHS screening because of my age (I’m 40) so it was reassuring to know the embryo is most likely healthy.

I’m amazed it’s not legal in Denmark! How odd…. We went to Czech for our last round and I really liked them, they also offered additional sperm selection techniques that were never offered in UK…. So you always have options

[emma_t in reply to McQueeny]

Thank you so much for your reply McQueeny. Could I ask how many embryos were collected on your last round and how many were normal? Thank you and congrats!

[McQueeny in reply to emma_t]

Thank you 😊

Collected and tested are very different for us - we always get loads of eggs and then a huge drop off. We got 16 eggs, 12 fertilised but only 3 made it to blastocyst. But , of those 3 that were suitable for testing and freezing, 2 were perfectly healthy and the 3rd mosaic , so that was an amazing result for us, I was so worried we’d have nothing to transfer….

[darkbuthappyplace]

Hey, coming in here with a slightly different view point. I was at the same stage as you, 6 cycles in, 7 transfers, 8 embryos, all failed implantation and one miscarriage. We decided to have one final cycle and the plan was to do genetic testing due to the failures. As we went into the cycle I got cold feet about it due to again expecting low embryo numbers and started doing more research. I was concerned that the fact I get so few I could end up with nothing and then the plan was donor.

I decided to cancel the genetic testing and just go for transfer. This video helped me make my decision, it explains how it works really well and why you could potentially discard a good embryo plus potential damage.

youtu.be/WqT6zjRf7h8(Not working as expected?)

I decided to go ahead without testing, I had three embryos. We transferred two and one took. I’m now 23 weeks!

I guess what I’m trying to say is I thought that genetic testing was the answer but I felt I’d be left with the anxiety of worrying if threw away a good one or damaged it and because of our low numbers the timeline would have been similar to transfer and test.

I know the pain of multiple transfers is excruciating but I have peace of mind I have these embryos a chance and hey, it worked! And that will be my 10th embryo. I do feel you can have all the tests in the world and it’s still down to chance. Im 39 so assuming my chances of finding good eggs are lower.

I also read a lot of research of the embryo man’s blog and The Duff was helpful in weighing things up too.

I hope this helps, lots of love and luck xxxx