EMMA/ERA tests

[Wellington22]

So after another DE transfer ended in a chemical pregnancy, we are looking at doing all the tests to see what is going on.We're at a Spanish clinic and they call the tests something different (ES-TIME and ES-META, which I assume are comparable) but for those with experience of the biopsy, I just wondered about the actual experience of the test. Is it manageable pain? Is it comparable to anything?

Just want my expectations managed. I think we're all pretty tough when we've been through all of this awfulness but I'd love some kind of indication as to exactly what to expect.

Thank you!

[Millbanks]

Hello lovely,

I had the ERA / ALICE / EMMA biopsy done and I would say it was uncomfortable but nowhere near as bad as I was expecting. I took 2 paracetamol before hand and it is a bit nippy then a bit crampy after, but honestly after all the shite we go through in IVF you'll be fine.

xx

[Cinderella5]

I had it. Pain manageable although painkillers recommended an hour beforehand. It's an intense, short but sharp pain and over quickly. You'll need a panty liner/towel afterwards for bleeding/spotting. Mine came back that I need an extra 24hours of progesterone....I used this and 2nd time around we got out twins. Good luck.xx

I've stuck a link to my post about results below.

healthunlocked.com/fertilit......

[Filbs]

It hurts but it’s so quick it’s almost over by the time you react. I had only very mild cramping afterwards.

[Tinkertinkerbell]

Hi, I had it and it did hurt a bit but it was so quick - literally seconds. It was like ‘oh is that it?’ I wasn’t warned that it was going to hurt so I hadn’t taken any pain killers. But you just breathe through it and it’s over in seconds. It’s a bit like having a cervical smear test only they put the sample gathering tube through your cervix (that bit doesn’t hurt). Then they scrape back and forth for a few seconds and that feels like a weird sudden intense cramp - but then it’s over. I had no pain as soon as it was over. I had no spotting and I was absolutely fine once it was done. It’s not enjoyable but it’s manageable. It was 100% worth it - I found out I needed 30 hours extra of progesterone before transfer and my next FET worked! I’m now 28 weeks pregnant. Good luck to you x

[DLZ321]

Hi, sorry to jump in on this but I have a (probably very silly) question … are EMA/ERA tests performed mainly when you are struggling to get pregnant? Or are they also done if you struggle to maintain a pregnancy?

I am awaiting karyotype & thrombophilia blood test results after two miscarriages but wondering if these tests are also something I should consider?

I’m sorry to hear about your chemical pregnancy and hope you’re doing okay. Was it your first one? The rollercoaster of emotions are horrid

Again, so sorry to jump in on your post!!

[Wellington22 in reply to DLZ321]

So I've had 5 transfers in total: three that didn't take, this latest one was a chemical and I had a miscarriage at 6 weeks in March. All good quality embryos, so the tests are to see if it is a problem with implantation. It might be something for you to consider but they are expensive; we're only doing them because we seem to keep having implantation failure and we were advised to have them done.Your doctors will be able to advise you on whether its worth it for you or not, of course.

Lots of luck and love for your journey xx

[Wellington22]

Thanks so much for your replies - fears alleviated. Feel like my pain threshold is pretty decent at this point but this is something new so didn't know what to expect and there's nothing worse than fearing the worst!