PGS

[Rainbowhope]

We have been given the hard sell on PGS recently and I was wondering if anyone else has used this method resulting in a BFP? I am desperate to spent our limited funds wisely so just wanted to hear your experience of using this method please?

[Lizzielizzielizzie]

Hopefully you have checked the panorama programme on bbc iPlayer and also the hfea website, both will give you evidence about the current state of research about this.

[Scarlett13]

What is PGS? X

[Hidden in reply to Scarlett13]

Pre implantation genetic screening I think. We did this ahead of donor egg just to try to narrow down likelihood of any genetic issues firstly between my husband and i, and then with him and the donor.

Our clinic did not say that it was necessary but that they would recommend.

[Rainbowhope in reply to Hidden]

Did you find it useful for you?

[Rainbowhope in reply to Scarlett13]

It’s a method where they biopsy the embryos to see if they are genetically healthy. The theory is that implantation isn’t occurring because the embryos are genetically unhealthy. By doing this biopsy they can tell me if the embryos have the correct number of chromosomes etc. When the lady spoke to us she made it sound like a miracle answer to all our problems but having done reading around the subject I’m not sure it is as good as they say

[Scarlett13 in reply to Rainbowhope]

Sounds brilliant - if it's reliable and works? I've had 2 good embryos from 2 rounds failed to implant x

[Rainbowhope in reply to Scarlett13]

It sounds brilliant in theory but im not sure if it’s just a gimmick. Need to do more reading

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to Rainbowhope]

I’m having pgd for a chromosome issue and it’s similar but not quite the same. It’s only a 95% certainty rate on whether the tests are accurate for PGD (I’m sure PGS is not any higher) and in cases where PGS is just looking for general abnormalities other than specific disorders (like PGD is) then there’s no evidence that live births are more likely in older women (the category usually recommended PGS). There’s a risk of discarding viable embryos. There’s also a whole nother period of waiting involved as it takes a few weeks To get the results back from the biopsy and then there’s the risk that your embryo might not defrost properly. Personally, I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t need to because of the chromosome translocation.

[Rainbowhope in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

Yes all my reading is in line with what you are saying. I guess I’m slightly disappointed. As I say, the clinic gave us the hard sell on PGS which made me think it’s a miracle cure but the harsh reality is that there is no certainly only tragic unfairness in this game

[Hidden in reply to Rainbowhope]

Oh that was different to what I was talking about. Ours was testing both mine and my husband's, and the donor genetics... Not the embryos. Sorry.

To my mind the less fiddling they do with the embryos the better.

Firstly you need to see how many embryos you get. You might not have a choice. At this stage you need to try to focus on being as stressed free as possible. But you don't get to genetically test embryos when you try naturally so...

Nobody can tell you what is for the best but think of cost / benefit / what will the outcome change. It may be that you go through this round, have an egg, transfer and get a bfp. I would only consider more tests if you don't get the outcome you want from this round.

Good luck xx