PGT-A testing with few embryos

[Skittles11]

Hi all

We are in the middle of our five day wait to see if we have any blastocysts. 3 eggs fertilised.

I have a question about PGT-A testing but to help me answer it I will just share the most prominent bits of fertility history.

We have been TTC 3 years. Experienced one early miscarriage (natural). I have low ovarian reserve and an endometrioma. Multiple cycles undertaken - I have poor response to stimulation drugs. One ovary often asleep. One cycle no eggs. One cancelled cycle.

I experienced a TFMR loss at 15 weeks last year after it was discovered my baby had a chromosomal condition and would not survive.

Because of this history and specifically the TFMR, we are on PGT-A testing protocol. However all of a sudden I'm terrified of testing the embryos. I know many folk will think they wouldn't test with few embryos but our case is different as we have a proven history with chromosomal issues. I can't face that again.

I think what I'm looking for is reassurance that testing is the best course of action despite few embryos (fingers crossed we get blasts). I don't think it would be helpful for me to hear comments telling me not to test so please don't tell me that.

Can anyone with TFMR experience or recurrent loss provide any reassuring words that PGT-A is a good decision in these circumstances, even with few embryos?

Thank you xx

[Gempuddleduck]

Hi Skittles, I completely understand your worries and think your feelings are very valid.

As you know, we also went through a TFMR last year and were so devastated too. Our journey is now slightly different to yours as we then went with donor eggs and had them tested. However, I know with all my heart that it wouldn’t matter if we used my own or donor eggs and I would always, always have had them tested - no matter how many there were. Mainly for my own mental well- being. The worry and anxiety I would have gone through everyday that we would go through another TFMR would not have been worth it. I’m currently 30 weeks and although there has been many worries along the way, I would have been so scared if we’d implanted a non-tested embryo.

So I guess what I’m trying to say is, although there might be a small chance you end up with no embryos, I think it is much much better to know beforehand.

I hope that helps a little. I will send out so many positive thoughts for you that one or more of those little embies can be added to your bank 🍀💕

[Mary2022]

As long as you have good grade blastocysts at day 5 or 6, they are able to check it with PGT-A. I had 4 blastocysts at day 5 and 6 in first cycle, unfortunately only 1 of them was good enough grade for the biopsy to check PGT-A, the rest of 3 embryos were low grades so not able to test. At the end only one embryo to send for the test. I am on the second cycle now and I insist I still will check embryo(s) with PGT-A no matter what.

Chromosomal abnormality is one of the main reason causing pregnancy failure. I believe you made a right decision for checking PGT-A. Good luck!

[CassieJ]

I think you are doing the right thing. I remember feeling very nervous about testing when we only had one embryo each cycle but my husband reminded me that was the entire point of us trying ivf -after similar circumstances to you. In the end given my response to the medication and only getting one embryo each cycle we did try something else (medicated cycle) which was untested and all worked out brilliantly for us in the end but if we did ivf again I would definitely test. Whilst having one chromosomaly affected pregnancy doesn’t raise your risk for another by very much I think it’s worth the peace of mind as you’re already in that process/can actually check doing the method you are following to get pregnant. Tons and tons of luckxx

[Chel91]

You definitely have to do what is right for you and your experiences! 💗 For those of us who have been on a very long and difficult road, I think we need a bit more certainty and control over things. I think in your case you know it's the right thing for you. I also PGT-A tested, and although my story is a bit different, the extra information I'm very glad I have honestly xx

[TeddyBear5]

hey skittles, I’m in the same situation as you (sort of). I also lost a baby due to TFMR last year at 17 weeks (Patau syndrome). It was awful.

I’m starting a round in Nov. My first and last cycle I got 8 eggs, 6 fertilised but only 2 made it to blastocyst. 1 is my 6 yr old son, the other is my angel baby.

Based on that I’m assuming I might get similar this time and want to test - I think. But part of me wants to get on with it and not test as I’m so scared of the outcome. It’s terrifying- I hope you are feeling ok xxx

[Rosesssss]

no experience but i think its good ...go for it very very good luck

[Olive12345]

We’re just doing our first round of egg collection but our dr recommended we did two or three rounds of that and then batch PGT test after that. She recommended it for cost mainly and because she said if you only get three eggs you may as well try and see because the statistics suggest at least one would stick. But I think I would test anyway as I really want to minimise the risk of further miscarriages. We’ve had three MMC (13 weeks, 12 weeks and 9 weeks) and one live birth who is now 5. I’m a bit worried about the freeze and refreeze thing but the dr seemed confident that was a good idea so could be worth considering if you’re worried about low numbers of embryos?

[pink_lemon]

Hi Skitties, I think I already answered one of your past posts about pgt, so sorry if I am repeating myself. I completely understand how you feel. I chose the same route. Two mmcs, first unknown reason, second chromosomal abnormalities. First cycle 2 5 day blasts. Still tested them. Second cycle nothing to test. Third cycle one blast only. Still tested that one! I simply COULD NOT face another miscarriage. Not at my age. Not with the low amh I had.

Pregnancy after miscarriage is hard. The first 3 months I could barely sleep. It was anxiety hell for me. And this was just ptsd from my past experience. I was afraid of being told at a scan my baby had no heartbeat again. ButTHNKS to knowing my embryo was euploid. I coped much better and deep down I was calm at the same time.

My boy will be 6 months soon.

For a second baby or if I had no other joice, I would transfer a mosaic or even an aneuploid embryo but at least I would know where I am at and would have realistic expectations/would take extra tests.

I know there are lots of untested success stories. I know pgt testing is not 100% correct. But you chose the path that is right for you in your circumstances. Just like I did.

All the best. xxx

[Corchi]

I am in favor of always testing the embryos whether you are 25 or 45. I have heard countless stories proving to me that testing is the most reassurance you could possibly get making miscarriage rate fall to a mere 5% if embryo is proven healthy. I know 28 year olds that failed ivf and as I believe it’s also a matter of chance as well as age that means it’s a risk. As I have had 7 miscarriages it was a no brained for me personally. But even if I didn’t have this incredibly sad and unfortunate history I would advocate to do it as I would rather know then not know and waste 1-3 months (sometimes more of course) then loosing it and having all the grief, pain and physical pain of d&c removal and then having to wait another 2-3 months for endometrium to heal etc etc making it a lengthy process of wasting more precious time. I personally believe the risks are very low at losing and embryo due to pgs testing as science these days have this as a norm like removing a cyst or something as simple as that. Of course this is very personal but this forum is very personal and we are all sharing our stories. So after 7 miscarriages once I did ivf for my second I did everything humanly possible to eradicate loosing the pregnancy. I received 4 healthy pgs tested embryos and it worked on the first go at 40. Regardless I wish you all the luck in the world whatever you choose. Here if you want to chat more!

[Koala365]

I totally think you are doing the right thing. We only started IVF as we didn't ever want to have another missed miscarriage. We wanted to do PGTA testing so we had a much better chance of not having another one as I didn't think I could cope with that. But for reasons I think you already know that didn't work out for us but if I could PGTA test I would!

[Marisa32]

I was also always a poor responder and wanted to test my one blast that I managed to get on IVF. Unfortunately, mine was not suitable to be tested and ended in BFN anyway... If you get anything that is good enough for testing, go for it. I think, it's absolutely the right decision, especially given what's happened previously. Fingers crossed all 3 make it to testing.

[Carolyo]

hello,

I was in the same situation..16 weeks termination because of chromosomal disorder with my only natural pregnancy It was devastating so I went for pgta when I had 2 blastocites , do not regret it although the results were not good, I'd rather know and avoid being in the same situation. On the second ivf they could not test the one as per extremely low quality, but I think you are doing the right things for your peace of mind.🥰

[Mudra85]

Hey Skittles, as you know I've also had a TMFR, which was due to baby being affected with the genetic condition I carry. After that terrible experience we sought out IVF to test for both my gene and also chromosomal abnormalities.

The last couple of IVF cycles we had low numbers of blastocysts (usually two blasts, but once 3 blasts). I was terrified that we'd get nothing after testing given we were testing two different things, but in total were able to get 4 transferable blasts. They're not all amazing quality (all are good grades but 2 were very slow to develop and 1 is a low level mosaic), but given all the testing we were doing I was pleasantly surprised with what we ended up getting. We would actually have had 5 transferable blasts but we had to discard one that was euploid because it was affected with my gene. I tried to keep in mind the high chance of getting at least 1 euploid embryo for my age group (35-37) which is pretty high.

Whilst I've learned that there is no guarantee with testing after having one chemical and one which wasn't as good quality as the first that didn't implant, if and when it does work I'm hoping I'll feel more reassured from knowing it's much less likely to lead to miscarriage. I also still believe that PGT-A generally decreases the time to ongoing pregnancy as we're not transferring embryos that would have no chance of working.

The lowered chance of miscarriage with PGT-A also has another benefit in that it would potentially lead to having less procedures on your uterus, which comes with risk (albeit small) of doing damage that might cause other problems.

I'm not sure if any of what I've said is helpful, but I thought I'd share my take on it after having a TMFR.

Good luck! I hope you're surviving this week with the anxiety-producing embryology calls. Thinking of you.

Xx