PGTA testing embryos made from donor eggs

[Skittles11]

Hello I appreciate there will be differing views and experiences with this.

Has anyone PGTA tested their egg donation embryos?

I have had 2 miscarriages and TFMR at 15 weeks (all own eggs) due to chromosomal issue that we didn't know about until we went for our NHS scan at 12 weeks. I will never forget the absolute horror of what happened. This is why I am drawn to PGTA testing as I'm not sure I could cope with something like that again.

However I know a donor will be younger and have genetic testing before becoming an egg donor.

Has anyone opted for PGTA embryo testing with donor eggs?

Thanks x

[Tnthketnf]

I can't imagine how terrible it must have been for you, I am sorry.

I haven't had any losses but I wanted to do this, mostly to save time and also to try and minimise the possibility of what you went through. my clinic which is in Greece said that recent law changes mean that PGTA testing is not allowed for embryos created with the eggs of a woman under 35. Consequently DE embryos aren't tested unless the male partner has a known genetic condition. I tried to argue that a lot of developmental issues of children have been associated with advanced paternal age (my partner is over 45) but tthey wouldn't do it. I have just had my transfer and hope for the best.

[Boo718]

hello, we tested our double donors and honestly if we were to go back for a sibling, I’d do it again. We found a number of abnormal embryos on our journey. Doctors sometimes say you don’t need to for donor but just because they are younger and don’t have fertility issues doesn’t guarantee it will be chromosomally normal xxx

[katiehopeful81]

I’m sorry to hear what you went through. We’re just in early talks with a clinic and I have asked for PgA but they originally said no. But I have asked again as they won’t give me the guarantee program. I can’t bear the idea of transferring an abnormal embryo or having a miscarriage because of a genetic abnormality. I still feel traumatized by my previous miscarriage and I don’t want to take unnecessary risks if I don’t have to. The clinic may say no again and then I’ll have to decide whether to continue with them or go to a different clinic. I think if they offer the pga testing I will go ahead with them. If not I will feel it is very risky given my medical background and the expense and time I’m putting in.

[Gempuddleduck]

Hiya, we tested all 6 of ours and 3 came back normal. As you know, we have a 1 year old from the first and I’m pregnant from with the second.

I felt exactly the same after our TFMR so completely understand xx

[Tir-26]

For us we didn’t test as we felt embryos are too fragile and our clinic didn’t do the testing on site so more room for handling error. If I had the choice again, we’d probably test, it may have helped reduce number of transfers and closed another door, the emotional aspect of loss and the effect it has on our bodies is huge. Doctors sometimes say you don’t need because they are young but age alone doesnt guarantee it will be chromosomally normal.

[Salimali44]

my sister is a genetic therapist consultant in the U.K. and she advised me not to bother with it with my donor egg IVF - she said there’s not that much they can pick up on and many things they can’t so it’s not worth it. (Haven’t actually got to the treatment yet as had lots of complications with my own health)! It’s so hard when there’s any aspect to make a decision on I think as you believe you can make the wrong one. But in the end it seems like it’s all just luck and magic anyway… I wish the luck and magic works for you!

[Tinkertinkerbell]

Hi, I didn’t have mine tested. I asked about it and was advised against it. The consultant kind of just dismissed it as if there was no need. The embryos were visually top quality and I am currently pregnant with one of them. Good luck ☺️ x

[IMax93]

Hi Skittles,

I’m so sorry for your experience and I hope you’re doing ok.

I recently had a TFMR also and I understand your apprehension about and the want to get the embryos tested.

I am 31 and it was a frozen transfer the embryo transferred was from when I was 29 so although age is a factor it’s not always a protector.

If your clinic offers the option I would pursue if it is an affordable option for you, to try and manage some of the anxiety of the process.

Wishing you so much luck. X

[Skittles11 in reply to IMax93]

Hello IMax93 thank you for getting in touch and sharing with me that you also had TFMR - I'm so sorry you had to go through this harrowing experience. I appreciate you will understand the concerns and fears knowing what to do for the best after having gone through this yourself. PGTA just feels like a "safer" option in the sense of minimising the chance of miscarriage or TFMR as far as possible, but I know with donor eggs not all clinics wish to do this. Incidentally I don't know how recent your TFMR (mine was some time ago now) but my inbox is ALWAYS open for anyone who went through this as it can be such an isolating time. x x

[Batsford]

Hi, I’m so sorry to hear about your experience. We had one chemical pregnancy and one full quite dramatic miscarriage from our donor egg embryos and so we decided to genetically test them and 4 out of 5 were genetically normal. I’m glad we tested them as we’d agreed that this was our last transfer and we could have transferred the abnormal one without knowing otherwise. I also took an immune protocol for this transfer, following immune testing. Best of luck.

[katiehopeful81 in reply to Batsford]

Sorry to hear about your miscarriage. Good news that 4/5 were normal. Would you mind sharing your immune protocol please? X

[Batsford in reply to katiehopeful81]

Hi Katiehopeful81, I’ll send DM you with the details. Thanks.