Am I crazy to not have PGT-A prior to FET?

[allergictojogging]

Hi Everyone,

I a huge fan of MN but this is my first ever post!

I'm 41 years old and my DD was born earlier this year following IVF (male factor issues). We're lucky enough to have 4 Frosties (3AB, 5BB, 3BB, 3BC) and would love to have a sibling for DD. Are we crazy to opt for FET without PGT-A? I'm nervous about any damage that might be caused to the embryos if we defrost for testing, refreeze and the defrost again for transfer. I'm also scared about false positives that might rule out any of these precious embryos given the cost of any further cycles of IVF and my age meaning I might not even get any more blasts if we were to cycle again.

Any thoughts welcome! Thanks.

I’m in a similar position and have been advised very strongly not to defrost and test my embryos. We will just put them back one by one and see how we go.

Thank you for your thoughts, it really helps to know I'm not the only one with these decisions to make although I wish neither of us had to. It's difficult to weigh up which route would be less expensive and balance this with which might be more successful. That's without even considering what complications we might face if the embryo implants but there is unfortunately a chromosome issue.....I feel like I am going mad googling these questions!

I wouldn't defrost and test

I wouldn't even test really unless you have a history of recurrent miscarriage and want to lower chance of it happening again

If you have one healthy child from the same batch why would you think the remainder has chromosome issues?

I got 23 embryos in one round (insane, I know) and tested 8 of them at eye watering prices. 2 were normal, 2 abnormal, 3 mosaic, 1 was inconclusive. Implanted first normal one and it went ectopic. About to implant the second normal and then hesitant on which one to implant after that, untested or mosaic. So in our case we spent an insane amount of money to test them and it didn't result in a success or any real sense of comfort or direction on which way to go. I have 15 frozen untested ones, I wouldn't pay to unfreeze and test those ones even if I had a spare £6000.

It's a higher risk of damage to the embryos to defreeze them for testing. I wouldn't test those. Due to age you could have a new cycle and test those.

Sorry for joining this discussion but I am in an equivalent issue... we have issues with unknown fertility had 1 miscarriage no heart heartbeat at 6 weeks, then my baby boy who I had with letrozole (ovulation induction but then natural intercourse!) he is now 3.y and perfect and when trying for another one we had a miscarriage again at 6 weeks no heartbeat ... so anyway today had my first IVF appintment and they told us we had to do those genetics test ... but they are so expensive and then it means I can't have a fresh transfer either so more costs! I have read in the US they don't do those tests are they can be risky and sometimes inaccurate... my partner is going nuts with the costs so I am in two minds ... and thinking to refuse those tests and ask just for normal fresh transfer with just viable blastocysts... but same what if baby is not right ... so tough... I really don't know what to do ...I am lost

Hi CarpeDiem75, I’m so sorry to read about the miscarriages, i can’t imagine how painful that might be. Thanks to everyone that responded to my post, you gave me a lot to think about. It’s so difficult isn’t it? I’ve pretty much been thinking about it non stop and don’t think there is any answer that would mean less worrying. In the end I’ve decided not to test. I‘m watching my perfect 3 month old babbling next to me and feel so grateful. With this in mind my husband and I decided to leave it in the hands of fate, transfer the embryos and do CVS testing instead as soon as we can if we are lucky enough to at least get to that stage. On another note, I have been told I need to see a specialist regarding some fibroids to see if they should be removed before any FET as they have grown during my last pregnancy. I am now worried that these will reduce our chances of being successful again…so the worrying takes a new direction.

Don't defrost to test! One of my beautiful babies wouldn't have survived the thaw. I was going to do it after a few losses and failure to implant but so glad I didn't

@Hanna86 and @allergictojogging thank you! I have decided not to do it. I phoned up a new clinic Newlife Surrey and spoke directly with the head of their labs to discuss the tests and she told me they don't offer it in their clinic because the risk pretty much outweighs the outcome.
I really like they took the time to speak to me and I have decided to leave CRGH as it was too expensive anyway!!