11 blastocysts sent for genetic testing

[CyclingAddict]

Hello!

I had an egg collection last Wednesday and they managed to retrieve 21 eggs, 19 of which were mature, 12 fertilised and 11 blastocysts (9 blastocysts on day 5 and 2 on day 6)! Really chuffed with the numbers as we got 5 blastocysts on our first cycle two years ago. Due to 4 failed transfers and 1 miscarriage during my first cycle, the clinic recommended getting the blastocysts PTG-A tested. I'm feeling a bit nervous getting the results from the testing. I don't know an awful lot about the process of PTG-A testing, so I'd be very interested to hear from someone who has gone through the process and what to expect. I'm 32 with polycystic ovaries, but my hormone levels are within the normal range and I don't suffer from missed periods or hirsutism, so I haven't been diagnosed with full PCOS. My husband has a low sperm count (which is the primarily reason for needing IVF-ICSI).

Our genetic counsellor explained that, because I'm under 35, she wouldn't expect many problems with the eggs, but I'm slightly concerned about my DH's sperm count and its possible implications on the health of the blastocysts.

I'd be really grateful if someone who has gone through this process or has a better understanding of it could give me a bit of insight into what to expect. I looked online and it says to expect that over half will be 'abnormal'.

Thanks!

[HedgehogMad]

Hi lovely! My last egg collection I was 30, with good AMH and we also have (quite severe) male factor so did ICSI. We had five blastocysts, 3 of which were PGTA normal so 60% which is the expected rate at my age. My husband's sample was one of the worst he'd had through our treatment but we still made chromosomally normal embryos. I have every hope for you to expect similar numbers xxx

[CyclingAddict in reply to HedgehogMad]

Thank you! I feel a bit better about it all now. I ended up Googling last night (big mistake) and was feeling really anxious xxxx

[CazzyM]

Hi! I’m 40. I had 5 embryos sent for pgtA. I got 3 back as normal. 2 were abnormal.

I had one embryo transferred and I’m now pregnant 13 +3.

I think the worst part is having to read the bits about how embryos can be damaged in the process and the fear they will all come back as no good. And the wait. I had to wait 6 weeks for mine. It was very stressful.

I told myself in the end if they come back as no good, I’ll deal with it then. I believe mosaics can correct themselves but abnormal can’t? Anyway I concluded it was out of my hands and if they come back as no good it was saving me the heart ache and trauma of a miscarriage.

Don’t read too much about damage to embryos. The chance of that happening is so slim. Easy me saying that now after I got so stressed about it at the time lol

I was a massive bag of anxiety and probably quite a nightmare to be around. The whole process is hard isn’t it. Then u give urself the pgtA stress in top.

Anyway for me it was horrible waiting. Traumatic reading all the potential risks. But it turned out ok!

[CyclingAddict in reply to CazzyM]

So happy it worked for you!

That's exactly what happened - I fell into an internet rabbit hole and I convinced myself that I'd damaged my embryos by doing PGT-A! Hoping for good news and good luck with your pregnancy (I'm going to try and stay away from Google lol) xxx

[CazzyM in reply to CyclingAddict]

I think you’re a stronger woman than me if you can stop yourself googling lol I felt like I hadn’t digested enough info before I decided and then re read everything while I was waiting and then I freaked out. Bit pointless really because the sampling had already been done.

When they thawed my embryo for transfer they used the words “it collapsed as it was thawing” and I thought damn I’ve lost an embryo must be from the pgta damage. But no, collapsing is a good thing. So if you hear them say that don’t panick either lol

Have you had you samples sent off already? Have you been waiting long?

[JA-fnuk Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Try not to fall down the Google rabbit hole ! Hope you get your results soon and take some comfort from what the genetic counsellor told you

Good luck for the future

Janet-Partner

[Millbanks]

Hi lovely,

We did PGT-A on our 9 blasts - 6 came back normal which is quite high for my age (38 at the time).

I was fully prepared for them to say 1 as I think it's about 20% for my age range - so I was totally floored.

We also tested because we had so many, and I'd already had 5 failed FETs so really wanted to make sure I was transferring ones that stood a chance. The next FET was successful (with the addition on steroids) so I think it's a good thing to do.

Good luck! Hope the wait isn't too bad xx

[CyclingAddict in reply to Millbanks]

Thank you for responding! This has given me so much hope! I fell into an internet rabbit hole and ended up convincing myself that I'd hurt my embryos by opting for testing. So happy it's worked for you! xxx

[Millbanks in reply to CyclingAddict]

There are so many strong and conflicting opinions on PGT-A - but if you feel it's right for you then go ahead! Honestly it was the right decision for us due to the numbers - and our little boy is perfecto xx

[schokomonster]

Hi  CyclingAddict , I hope you're not down the Google rabbit hole again. It is truly a nightmare! I am 39, and we ended up with five day-5-blasties that have been good enough to freeze/use fresh after our 1st IVF cycle.

We are in Australia and had a very honest discussion with our embryologist to figure out if we should do the testing or not. Our fertility specialist was quite confident that we don't need to with the overall results of our bloodwork and additional tests - we are diagnosed with "unexplained infertility", so basically, motility is good, the count is good, AMH is good - something is just not working.

But, I went down the rabbit hole when preparing for that cycle, and my partner and I wanted to minimise the risk of failure to a maximum, so we opted to test. Our Embryologist said, "You had 13 eggs fertilised, and five are at this stage now, so you basically will save time. Either find out now that some are not viable within the group or go through the failed transfers." And as I've also read somewhere, that there is a marginal error where the results show a mosaic, and it would be viable, she explained to me that our clinic will only freeze Grade A embryos, that show no signs of mosaicism at the day 5 or 6 development.

I know this might sound very, very cold and clinical, but in my mind, that was like," We have not been using contraception for years and never fell pregnant, and that's more than a year of 'trying' in that GERI incubator right now. I want to know!

In the end, the fresh (untested) transfer failed, and 1 of the 4 tested ones came back with a chromosomal error. I am in the 2WW, freaking out over every twinge and cramp, and will test this coming Monday with two left in the bank. 🤞 🤞 🤞

So in short: 17 eggs retrieved. 13 mature, 9 fertilised, 5 to day 5/6 and 3 def euploids - and we only had to wait 10 days for the final results, which was a godsend in this forever waiting game that is IVF.

I would do it all over again if needed. Good luck to you! xx