Successfull IVF - embryoscope or not?

[Lavendar01]

I have my day5 scan today and need to let the clinic know whether we want it or not.

Did you go for embryoscope?

We are in two minds as the latest studies at our NHS clinic doesn't show a significant difference, but the nurse was really for it suggesting that by logic less disruption in incubator will be better for embryo, and that there is lack of research on this.

What are your thoughts?

Ta :)

I'd really appreciate feedback from those that had a successful cycle, whether you went for it or not.

I didn’t go for it but when I heard about it i was already in cycle 3 of a 3 cycle package, though had I known from the start I think I’d have been keen to at least get pricing. I think it’s possible (like you say, logical) it would help to not disturb something so delicate, most especially if (like me) your embryos are on the edge of good. The lab of my clinic had a v good rep so that was at least less worrying, but I just think, what if someone is new or whatever, or is someone as careful as I would be? It’s like adding an element of control.

in truth, we had a massive difference in quality in our recent round and it was likely due to meds change rather than any lab condition which should have been somewhat constant. My real belief is that embryos will largely fail due to chromosomal abnormality (esp if your clinics lab has a good rep). I mean people were successful decades ago without the tech and knowledge we have now. If paying for it would mean not affording further treatment, then further treatment is going to give you a better chance of success than embryoscope I think

@aLogLady thanks for replying. At this stage I have no clue what the embryos quality will be as this is our first round. My husband's last sample showed low count and & quality. I guess we'll find out about mine soon enough.

You mentioned in recent round there was a massive difference in quality, if you don't mind me asking was it better or worse, and how did the med change impact that? I hope it was a successful one x

It was a positive difference, I mean my case (everyone’s is) specific, but I have low egg reserve and very poor blast conversion despite almost 100% fertilisation across 5 rounds. In the last round we opted for the lowest stims (started on the highest with nhs) and got our first good quality blast from the one egg we aimed to stim. Not sure how much is luck and how much is due to the change, but I’m 15 weeks now. (2 spontaneous pregs between rounds but both mc, and nothing in the two years leading up to ivf.)

how many nhs round will you hopefully get? Will they let you top up with paid “extras”? I know some trusts don’t allow it and some do. Have they mentioned cost? I would assume that’s the only downside. At the very least it’s scientifically fascinating seeing pictures of your embryos! They printed out a pic of mine taken through a microscope just before transfer so it’s on the fridge.

Congratulations on reaching 15weeks and wishing you a steady and healthy journey to the end!

What you said about low stim makes sense because this is something ive observed reading through numerous threads on here. I was started on 187 menopur and yesterday day5 scan showed 'fairly good' amount of follicles on the left side but right side needs more stimulation they did bloods and E2 came back 921 and they've upped my dose to 225 instead. Although I would prefer to keep steady on 187 until the next scan atleast to see if there was any further development not sure how to play this its treading on a fine line. I get 1 cycle on nhs to collect and freeze blastocysts, and then in that cycle 3 rounds to attempt blastocyst transfer.

Re embryoscope I am leaning towards it for the reason you mentioned and also deeper analysis for next cycle in the future if we needed it. But at the same time i instinctively and strongly feel slow stim med is the significant bearing factor here to provide best chance at quality blastocyst.

Anymore thoughts from others are still welcome x

It was included as part of our package (private clinic though) so I'm not sure what a cycle looks like without it to comapre. I guess it depends how much extra it would cost you? If its something you can afford I'd just go for it. We also did embryo glue. I think I had 1 transfer not using it, which was a BFN depiste being a 5AA. After that I said what the heck and said yes to the embryo glue, and they all stuck (1 chemical, and 2 live births). So I'd say yes to embryo glue if you get the chance

We could afford it so we did it just in case, on both our IVF cycles. We figured it was cheaper than doing a new cycle, so went for it on the off chance that it would help the current cycle be successful. (Having a video of the blastocyst forming is also really cool!) Our first cycle (ICSI) only one egg fertilized normally but it developed into a low grade blastocyst - BFN. Our second cycle (PICSI) we got 4 blastocysts, all better quality, 3 are frozen and 1 is a 13 month old toddler! I don't know if they kept the videos of the remaining 3 embryos developing to give us if we ever do a FET.