PGS testing - worth it?

[lostindreams]

I've had a few consultations with clinics about doing IVF and have been given the hard sell on PGS testing each time as I'm over 40. I can definitely see the benefits (less chance of miscarriage) but then I came across this study: www.independent.co.uk/news/health/ivf-genetic-embryo-screening-pregnancy-cost-no-benefit-study-a8478716.html

And have read that abnormal embryos can still grow to become healthy babies. Would love to hear from people who have had it about whether they think it was worth the eye-watering cost or made much difference.

Hi I did it on my 2nd cycle of IVF and actually it was me that pushed for it not my clinic. I'd had several miscarriages and it felt like the last test we could do to see what was going on

I was 36 and expected at least 50% of my blastocysts would come back normal.....I didn't get any! You need to bear in mind that in the U.K. clinics won't transfer abnormal embryos on ethical and moral grounds. I had a low level mosaic which they did agree to transfer but it was a BFN. But otherwise i would have spent close to £10k and ended up with nothing to transfer

I decided not to PGS again as really was was the point if I was prepared to transfer a mosaic anyway? On my next egg collection I got 2 blastocysts and froze them - transferred both last month and now 9 weeks with twins?!

I would only PGS in the following circumstances

• over 40 (although less than 10% are expected to be "normal")
• I was getting 5 or so blastocysts per cycle (not worth financially doing it if you get less)
• only wanted 1 child as odds are you might get just 1 to transfer so no spares to try for a sibling

PGS was downgraded by the HFEA earlier this year and I'm also a member of a weak Facebook groups where it's more common to transfer abnormals in the USA and lots of women had healthy babies. Many of them had already transferred their "normal" embryos and they hadn't worked

Remember PGS only takes 5 cells from the outer layer of what becomes the placenta - they don't biopsy "baby" cells so it's not 100% accurate

Thanks @ivfdreaming. Sorry to hear about your miscarriages. I'm still very much on the fence. I saw the guidance from the HFEA and that's nudging me towards not doing it. There just doesn't seem to be enough evidence that it's worked. Have also read about women who have used PGS and then had to abort their babies after the 12 week scan showed there were some abnormalities. So sad.

Congratulations on the twins!!