A quick update: we’ve now decided to move on to IVF with DE, which was hard but at the same time, not hard.
Anyway, do any of the ladies who went through a similar situation had their partners do a HERES test? Supposedly it’s to make sure the donor and my husband do not share any genes that when combined might create some health problems to the child.
We’re going ahead with the DEIVF in Portugal, from where we’ve just returned, thinking that everything was ready to go and we would only return to Portugal to do a transfer but they’ve just brought this HERES test up now -which is super annoying. It’s optional so would really like to hear your thoughts and experiences on it.
thanks xx
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Not quite the same but I did the equivalent of this when I used donor sperm as a solo mama. The first donor I chose I didn't test and had 2 miscarriages. I decided when I chose my 2nd donor for further treatment I would do the gene testing. Turns out the next 3 donors I chose were incompatible as we shared a recessive gene (the sperm bank did say it was very rare to have this many non-matches!). My 4th choice was a match and I got my twin boys from this donor. For me it was well worth it.
Not heard of it. Currently pregnant with DE treatment. Does the clinic offer it only in donor conception? Because it seems that it would apply in every ivf.
Yeah, that’s what I thought. We didn’t do it in IVF so why does this only apply to DEIVF? I guess with DE where looking for the best candidate and with a couple that choice is already made?
hi, I’m intrigued and have never heard of that test before. I recently had a baby via egg donation and donor sperm and nothing extra was tested. No one mentioned this test to me during treatment, I’m interested to hear what information you get from posts.
Good luck with your cycle, I hope everything goes smoothly. I liked your ‘hard but not hard’ description of DE, I can relate to that 🩷
We're going down the DE route and had an option of either doing this fuller genetic test or just testing for cystic fibrosis. We chose the fuller test as I wanted to rule out any genetic complications. We had unexplained fertility so did the test just incase there had been a genetic issue between my husband and I. He isn't a carrier of anything which has put my mind at ease. It's been such a difficult journey I didn't want additional complications should I get pregnant with a DE. The choice is yours, but it isn't unusual that your clinic has offered this. Is there a local clinic that can do the test for you? It is a blood test. My Spanish clinic links with my UK clinic so I was able to do the test there.
Hi, I've been doing ivf with own eggs for 1.5 years. After several failures, miscarriage and chemicals, we went to an immune specialist and he actually tested my partner and I for this. To our surprise the results showed a partial match for dq alpha gene. The treatment we had for it was called LMIT (Lymphocyte Immunisation Therapy) in case you're interested in reading up about it. Wishing you all the best on your journey xx
Hi we are using a clinic in Spain and opting for the advanced genetic testing - it looks at any 311 shared recessive genes between the egg donor and my husband. If any are shared, it increases the babies chance of having this chromosomal problem by 25% - so in my opinion well worth the extra payout. If they do match that donor won’t be used. Hope that helps…
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Spotting day before test 
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Ovulated before egg collection 😔
Egg collection 
