Another obstacle on the course - PGTA “no result”

[Endofitall]

has anyone had a PGTA “no result” result and then gone on to have clear results in other rounds?

Clinic have said we can rebiopsy without charge, no result was due to contaminant of DNA apparently, but I am not happy to rebiopsy and thaw and refreeze as we make so few embryos and the risk of damage feels too high.

But feeling so angry and lost today that something that was meant to help has left us none the wiser but lots of money down.

Our plan as many of you know has been to bank embryos and PGTA test, hope we get 2-3 euploid over the banking cycles, then do FETs when endo calmer (as it flares with fresh cycles) and with full immune protocol. But first time doing PGTA and we’re in a tiny % with no result.

Now I’m wondering if we bother with PGTA going forward? But then at what point do we stop banking if we aren’t testing? We’ve already had 6 transfers of top quality untested embryos fail (and I’m older now than for when many of these embryos were made).

I am very anxious though to transfer the two blasts we have that are untested/no result now, without banking more. After our loss experience already, I’m going to be so afraid of a complex pregnancy loss that takes months of recovery, and essentially spells the end of our attempts to have a baby, given my already low ovarian reserve. I know euploid transfer is not a guarantee though.

Any thoughts appreciated.

[Booda21]

I’m so sorry this result has come back for you. If it was me I would re biopsy, I did this in my last round as 1 of the 3 blasts I had biopsied was no result. And I’m glad I got it done as when it was rebiopsied it was aneuploid and I was glad I didn’t go through a transfer with what would have been a negative. Although my following euploid transfer was also a negative. I felt like I wasn’t wasting more time then transferring that other one when it would never have worked. And have been able to move clinic and do a new round knowing that I had all the info from the last round possible. Obviously if you feel strongly not to re biopsy then I totally get it. But for me personally it was worth it. Good luck with whatever you decide. And sorry you’re feeling so rubbish about your current options. It’s so hard to keep feeling like it’s a constant up hill battle isn’t it. Sending a big hug xx

[Endofitall in reply to Booda21]

Thanks lovely. I think because we only have a few eggs and blasts we are too worried about damage to it if it actually is euploid. I was looking at research papers yesterday showing it can really reduce the ongoing pregnancy rate to rebiopsy even if perfectly good embryo. I hate that I’ll have to be the test though. I think my DH doesn’t want to take the risk of rebiopsy either. We are torn about what to do going forward with banking and PGTA but hopefully that becomes clearer and our consultant can help. I hope you’ve had/have better results this week xx

[GranolaHippo in reply to Endofitall]

I'd ask either to speak to your embryologist team -they'll know about what happens when they rebiopsy- or seek a consult with another embryologist (I'll DM one who offers sessions, she's based at Evewell. I've not used her personally, but find the info she puts out really useful). I'd also ask the head of embryology what went wrong and why -was it a lab error, clinic error etc. That might also give you more information/confidence on how to move forward.

Most published data is based on US clinics and it is much more hit and miss there, I think. However, very few labs in the UK offer PGTA and they're highly regulated, as are our clinics and embryologists, so I wouldn't base choices on a study if it's based on US data.

Aside from that, totally understandable to feel p*ssed off, especially after you have done all that hard work to get to having embryos to biopsy!! It's so hard when other people have to be involved in this highly personal process, which comes with a high personal cost, but is just 'business as usual' for them. Tough dynamic.

Were all 5 no result?

[Vassi]

Hi lovely, this is so unfortunate im sorry it's happened to you. It's a tough one, this whole thing is so hard sometimes.For me I personally wouldn't re biopsy, I had this conversation with my specialist the other day as I had opted out of pgta testing because I wasn't expecting to get many embryos and my partner was not keen. He said if we thaw, test and re freeze we will destroy the embryos. Since you've already biopsied I just don't think I'd risk it, these embryos are so precious.

It was suggested to us if we want to bank embryos to test next round, so i would do that going forward to avoid having too many untested embryos banked. You can always have these two as a little back up xx

[Endofitall in reply to Vassi]

Thanks so much for taking time to reply. I agree, I think me and DH are both in agreement to not rebiopsy. It is harder to know what we want to do going forward whether to still try and test with the next collections for banking. I think we both just feel disillusioned with it. Xx

[Vassi in reply to Endofitall]

It is hard I know, we never tested our embryos. I was always of the thought let's let nature decide, after all when we try naturally we never know what our embryos are. But, after 12 transfers and 4 more untested embryos in the freezer I just don't think I can put myself through anymore. It's a gamble either way. All i can say is that this journey (hate calling it that) is full of unknowns and just because you had that experience this time, next time may be completely different with a positive outcome. I hope you get some clarity on your next steps xxx