PGS pre-implantation genetic screening

[7AVA]

We had a private consultation today to look at next steps if our NHS FET, hopefully in August, is unsuccessful (I know premature but I like to have a plan in place!). We discussed PGS or pre-implantation genetic screening. Has anyone any experience of this?

[bluewanderlust]

Hi I thought I would share a bit about my experience. My partner and I were going to have PGS. I am 44 and felt it was a really good idea due to my age and using my own eggs. I had my first cycle and paid for PGS up front 8 over 9 months. I sailed through my cycle, got 10 egg and 8 mature. I thought brilliant we will definitely have some to test before free. However on day 2 only 1 had fertilized. I thought thats it all over. Well this little one was a fighter and made it to a day five blastocyst. We then had to decide whether to have PGS one it or have it transferred. I felt that I didnt want to risk it not making the thaw. So I had it tranferred without PGS. That was 3 weeks ago and I am now pregnant with our little emby. I dont regret taking the risk for a second. If I had had 2-3 embies i think I would have had PGS but sometimes things happen and the goal posts change. Its so hard when you dont get many to test. I just want to wish you luck and I guess sometimes you just have to take a chance and leap of faith. Also forgot to say before. Another reason I decided to have Emby straight back is that my clinic said there is a 10% risk of embies not surviving the thawing process. However, at 44 there is a 1 in 40 chance chance of a chromosome abnormality so around 2.5% Good luck with your decision xxx

[7AVA in reply to bluewanderlust]

Thanks so much bluewanderlust and congratulations on your pregnancy! Good thing you went for the transfer! I wondered too if there is a risk of rejecting an embryo which may go on to make a baby - I'm going to read more about it. So pleased for you and wishing you a healthy, happy pregnancy xx

[bluewanderlust in reply to 7AVA]

Yes thats just it. We very nearly went for the PGS but I am so glad we took that chance now. And I am still going to have the Harmony blood test so we will know if there are any issues. I really think this is the baby we are meant to have no matter what the outcome Its definitely worth exploring as PGS sounds like a really good idea and I would still recommend it xx

[7AVA in reply to bluewanderlust]

Thank you for the recommendation and advice - I'm sure I would have ditched the PGS in your situation too though! Who cares about the science if an embryo has a chance you have to go for it. Great that it feels like the right baby for you already - I'm sure that's a good sign xxx

[bluewanderlust]

Thanks so much xxx

[Lizzielizzielizzie]

We have just had blood tests which identified a chromosomal abnormality with my husband. We now have to have pgs (in fact we have to have pgd, not that I understand the difference ), maybe you should check whether you've had all the possible blood tests before you consider this?

Fingers crossed you won't need it though, and your fet will be 👍🏻

[7AVA in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

Thanks Lizzie, we were thinking of PGS because our consultant said embryos from women in my age range would likely have chromosomal abnormalities which could prevent implantation or lead to miscarriage. I will look into the blood tests though - what did you ask for? X

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to 7AVA]

I think it is called karotyping. We were told there was only a two percent chance that our problems (2 failed ivfs and a miscarriage) was a chromosome abnormality, and the clinic didn't seem to think it was that crucial that we took the test, but we are glad we did. The research I've read since (from 2011) suggested that the actual incidence is between 2 and 14% of what it calls "infertile men". As far as we knew, my hubbie was fine and the problem was my age. Turns out my chromosomes are normal, but of course we still have the risk of abnormalities caused by my aging eggs (I am 39 now). You'll have to make your own decision about whether it's worth spending the money on blood tests of course, but I wanted to make sure you knew about them as no one had mentioned them to us till a long way down the line as I haven't had recurrent miscarriages.

[7AVA in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

Thanks so much, could you give me an idea of how much the blood tests were? Either on here on in a private message. I know PGS is about £2000 per cycle at the clinic we are thinking of and there's something called 8 before 9 which will test 8 embryos in 9 months. What's your next step? Really have my fingers crossed that everything works out for you next cycle xxx

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to 7AVA]

I just found this quote in an nhs document which might help you decide: Since 20048 there have been 11 randomised controlled trials (RCTs), mainly for advanced maternal age, which have shown no benefit of performing PGS. In a systematic review and meta-analysis of the RCTs for PGS, the authors have reported there is no evidence of a beneficial effect of PGS as currently applied on the live birth rate after IVF. On the contrary, for women of advanced maternal age PGS significantly lowers the live birth rate from 26% after IVF without PGS, to between 13% and 23% using PGS.9.

Our blood tests were £3000 all in but that included all sorts of things. I've no idea how much just karotyping would be, but your clinic should be able to quote.

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

Rct = randomized controlled trials.

[7AVA]

That is very useful and suggests what I had thought may be a problem: that PGS may screen some embryos out that would possibly go on to make a healthy baby. Thanks again Lizzie - so helpful xxx