PGS testing - your thoughts?

[Seha04]

Hi, any stories to share for PGS testing or preimplantation genetic screening? So tired of ivf failures, considering of getting my embryos tested to see if there are chromosomal abnormalities...

[Fingerscrossed38]

I thought the reason for my early miscarriages was chromosomal so we did IVF with pgs testing at Easter. Got 6 pgs normal 5&6 day blastocyst. Happy days...or so I thought. Just had my first fet 20th August and it implanted. Got positive hpt at 6dp5dt but discovered over the days following that my hcg wasn't doubling. Stopped progesterone on Sunday evening and now jyst waiting for it to pass. Devastated, confused, angry and scared.

Don't have a follow up till next Friday 13th.

I wish I had some more uterine & autoimmune tests before fet so I wasn't wasting time money and my precious!

[Seha04 in reply to Fingerscrossed38]

I’m so sorry 😔. It’s really a sucky feeling. I had a chemical pregnancy recently too... just taking a break now before my next FET. What other tests do u plan to do for your next cycle?

[SunnyDream]

Not so long time ago I talked to my dr about this testing and I was said that it would be better not to do it. She explained that to do this test they need to retrieve more cells thus fewer cells will be for the transfer. Also, any intervention has a bad impact on embryos and they become weaker after the procedure. So I decided not to do it. As for you, I can only say that it is your choice and do as your heart says.

[Seha04 in reply to SunnyDream]

Yeah, I’m concerned too.. I really do not know what to do.. my doc suggested trying for it.. it’s not cheap too! Anyway, congrats on your surrogacy journey! I wish I can do it but unfortunately, my religion doesn’t allow surrogacy.

[SunnyDream in reply to Seha04]

I understand your point of view. There are many women whose religion doesn't allow surrogacy though it might be a good chance for them. As for PGD, I'm just curious what is the cost? How much should you pay for this test?

[Eeek]

Oh no, I am getting it done. For the very same reason as Fingerscrossed38. I had no idea it would be bad for the embryo, all we wanted to do was increase our chances. X

[Seha04 in reply to Eeek]

All the best! Who knows, it might be good news. When are you getting tested? I’m still contemplating.. I’m afraid of the risks, on the other hand, I’m desperate too.

[Seha04]

Thanks ladies for sharing.. I’m having mixed feelings. I’m also afraid that there won’t be any embryos to transfer at the end of the day.. but I’m so tired of failed cycles and chemical pregnancies. My doc suggested to do.

[Fingerscrossed38]

I'm glad we pgs tested ours. I'd that are strong enough to survive testing you'll know that are good.

I would last recommend doing EFT, ERA/Alice/Emma, silent endometriosis, nk cells tests before transferring any just so you don't waste them. The uterine lining has to be in good condition so might as well check this out before transferring. I have no idea if I'll ever have a successful pregnancy. Andrews this chemical of pgs I've lost all hope and I'm scared.

[Seha04 in reply to Fingerscrossed38]

Hi, thanks for sharing. Would u mind sharing what’s ERA/Alice/Emma? Have you done them before? Sorry, I’m not versed in this area. Don’t lose hope yet.. we’re all in this together. Wishing u all the best!

[Fingerscrossed38 in reply to Seha04]

Alice tests to check you have enough good bacteria in the uterus and if you don't they give you vaginal probiotics.

Emma tests to see if you have any bad bacteria or an infection and is treated with antibiotics.

The ERA tests to see if you are receptive or pre receptive. It checks if maybe you need an extra day of progesterone before they transfer an embryo.

All three tests are taken from one uterine biopsy and sent to a lab in Spain so results take minimum 10 days to get back.

You have to do a mock transfer cycle by imitating a frozen embryo cycle. Instead of transferring an embryo though, they take a biopsy.

I had this done last Monday under deep sedation alongside a Hysteroscopy.

Hope this helps Xx

[Seha04 in reply to Fingerscrossed38]

Thanks for sharing!

[Missy_22]

We just did our 6th round in May and decided to do this as told by someone previously it’s a must. So we did and glad we did as currently pregnant with triplets. We went from 14 eggs to 11 fertilised to 7 after testing. We were in Cyprus and they were very positive about the testing. We have four in the freezer too!

Good luck

[londonrc in reply to Missy_22]

That’s amazing! Many congrats! Did they put back 3? Or did one split?

[Missy_22 in reply to londonrc]

3 back x

[Seha04 in reply to Missy_22]

Congratulations! You’re so lucky. Hope you’ll have a smooth pregnancy journey

[Missy_22 in reply to Seha04]

It’s not easy that’s for sure but so far so good x

[londonrc]

Just to say having PGS testing does not guarantee a viable pregnancy. I have heard of so many women who have had an FET with a PGS tested normal embryo and it’s still failed. I don’t mean to put a dampener on it but I too thought it could limit the chances at least but there are two schools of thought that it can damage the embryos- or they only take cells from part of the embryo and this part may have a larger number of abnormal cells - but if they had taken it from a different part it would have had more normal cells. Some clinics are for PGS and some against. It feels like an expensive process to go through - but then could prevent expense of FET’s that fail. We went through a donor cycle with my partners sperm- got 4 embryos to day 5 and then did PGS testing - none viable. Then went on to do many many tests on my husbands sperm ( as donor was young) but all was fine- we are now going ahead with another cycle new clinic and new donor and this clinic doesn’t believe in PGS. I’m hoping it was just bad luck but with this journey - who knows! I wish you all the best with whatever you decide.

[Seha04 in reply to londonrc]

Thank u, and thanks for sharing your experience. All the best to u, too! Yeah, it’s a gamble.. I’m still on the fence, PGS is not cheap in my country.

[Snidcapbaby]

I’m so on the fence right now with PGS. The doctor said all 3 eggs looked grade A from their embryologist but came back from PGS testing as 1 mosaic and the other two are abnormal. The cost was $1200us. This is so frustrating, I feel like I should have done a fresh embryo transfer instead of fet with pgs testing. My husband just doesn’t feel good about taking any chances and wants me to do another round of egg retrieval.

[Seha04 in reply to Snidcapbaby]

So sorry to hear :-(. Yes, it is really frustrating and depressing.

I still have not decided what to do next. I’m also afraid of doing pgs and finding out that all my eggs are not viable.

I have done 2 fresh cycles and both times, it failed. Have done frozen cycles too and resulted in chemical pregnancy, twice.

So are you going to do another round of egg retrieval soon? Is this your first ivf cycle?