Should we do PGT-A testing

[JJB92]

Hi

I'm 33 and we are planning to start with IVF next month. I'm very conflicted about whether or not we should do PGT-A testing and I hope to hear some experiences and thoughts on it.

On the one hand I really want the data because I feel like we've had so few concrete answers throughout this whole journey. I also think it would make the emotional side perhaps a bit easier. On the other hand, it is A LOT of money (testing and IVF will both be self funded) and don't really have any indications for it. My doctor below 35 the benefits from doing it is also much less compared to over 35, so I don't know if we can really justify the cost.

I also know there's embryo grading, but I'm unsure how strongly it's linked to genetic normality.

Please share any experiences. What did you do? Do you wish you did something else?

Thanks!

Hiya I’m also 33 with no obvious reasons to test have just done my first round of IVF. We chose to do PGT as we wanted to not waste time and pain on transferring non viable embroys. If you are doing it out of pocket already then you will have to pay for each transfer so the potentially cost to have frozen transfer that don’t work can add up to more than testing. Our experience was that our ‘better’ embroyo that would have been transferred first was actually aneulploid so we saved the heartache of either a negative test or miscarriage and also the time to then do another which you keep having to wait for cycles.

I would say research and get all the advice you can as it is very individual so completely done to you and what is right for your family. Good luck!

@JJB92 embryo grade does correlate with euploidy and also implantation ability - it is not just a beauty contest as claimed by many - but it isn't definitive. Ie. It's possible for a day 5 excellent graded embryo to be aneuploid and a day 6 poorly graded embryo to be euploid.

At 33 on balance most women don't do PGTA because egg quality is still usually good. And the most likely result of aneuploidy is embryos arresting before day 5 blastocyst or failing to implant, not miscarriage.

What is your background reason for doing IVF? PGTA could be an option if you've had multiple losses.

Do you know your AFC and AMH - ie. how many embryos are likely to result?

@Anniekent1 I can imagine that you must have been very grateful that you tested after that outcome! Have you had success yet, or are you still waiting to do a FET?

@sirensong thanks that's good information about the embryo grading. My only known problem was poor ovulation and short luteal phase, but we've "fixed" this with letrozole, trigger shots and progesterone. Despite having done 10 medicated cycles already, I'm still not pregnant, so the doctor recommended IVF as next step.

I haven't had any losses and no male factor issues. AMH was 3ng/ml and AFC was around 16/17 if I recall correctly, so I am hoping to get a good number of embryos if all goes well

Hi @JJB92 yes definitely as the day 5 4AA perfect look embryo on paper would have been the one. It is an expense but for us worth it. And it is completely individual. We have a day 6 left so will be transferring that over the next few months cycle dependent. It does add extra time as you won’t be able to do a fresh transfer so if that’s important then it’s also a consideration

wish you all the best whatever you decide x

We have no fertility issues (IVF Due to same sex couple) and after 2 failed IUI’s we had our baby via IVF, first round and first transfer. I was also 33 at time of collection & transfer and we didn’t do PGT-A testing. If we had of had multiple transfers with no success or any losses we would have probably progressed to it, but we just felt that with no indications it wasn’t justified for us. Very individual though of course!

Hiya, I did IVF with pgta and for us it made sense, I was 37 at the time and had previous naturally conceived miscarriage and early losses. Couldn't find a reason for this as hormones, sperm, uterine environment were all good. We got 6 blastocysts and sent all for testing, two were euploid and one is my 15 month boy and I'm 33 weeks pregnant with my other euploid. I wanted to avoid spending more time and money on FETs of untested embryos, for us it was the best decision we made.

Im 38

Firsf ivf

We are doing pgta
( covered by insurance)

We have early miscarriage history

I did pgta and the first transfer was a success (so far). I was 37 at time of egg collection and the consultant recommended it because I had a chromosomally abnormal miscarriage in the past.

i had 2 excellent graded embryos that were discarded because they were “complex abnormal” . I feel at least I saved myself transferring those

Thank you all for sharing your experiences!

And wishing all the best for everyone still having to do an FET.

I think if our first cycle doesn't work, I'm probably going to regret not testing, so perhaps it's best to just make the investment .

I just feel that so much of this process is not in our control

Pgta is something that can help a bit to minimise miscarriage Risk

Personally 4 me - all the jabs / meds / tests / online modules / stress - i just feel it is helpful and a positive step

( saying this now - when im 38 - and we ' dunno ' if we will get any normal embryos but have miscarriage history )

We are super lucky that my partners ins covers cost - our consultant estimated 2.5k cost
But can be more depending on number of embryos

We paid 1385 gbp
Basic fee

Then additionally will pay just under 400 gbp per embryo tested

That's very true @worldwidetravel2017 . So much is out of your control and you seldom get a very clear definitive answer to anything. I guess PGT-A testing is one way to help get some real answers

Agreed.

Life.
Its a lot atm.