CARE Fertility Bulletin Board

Anna F · 27 Nov 2003

HiI have just started downregging for our 10th attempt. This time we are going to try PGD. Our clinic is the ARGC. Has anybody had this and can give me any info about cost and what the procedure is. I know that they take a cell fromt he embie to see if it is giving off any signals and to determine if it chromosomally normal. Is the procedure e actually done at the clinic or do they send the embies away? Also what happens, do you have to ring every day to see how things are going?I am really scared that we wont have any normal ones. Please help reduce my worrying.ThanksAnna

Pins and Needles · 03 Sep 2003

Hi there, I also had PGD at the ARGC. It is quite an ordeal as you have an extra 3/4 days to wait, unlike having a day 2/3 transfer. But they are really good and the embryologist explains everything really clearly and seem to love to answer any questions/concerns you have. We have 5 embryos so went ahead with the PGD and like you were really scared non would be right and also because they have to cleave to 5+ cells before they can be tested it is quite a nerve wracking time. However they phone you every day and let you know how your embies are progressing. We achieved 2 normals ones and had them transferred. Unfortunately Im not pregnant but I have immune issues and had a reaction to the IVIG. But with regard to PGD I would strongly recommend it, because at least it gives you answers to whether you produce genetically good embryos. Sorry to waffle on, oh the cost is £2,500.00.Very best of luck. Helenx

Kay · 02 Jul 2003

Hi AnnaI'm at CARE, Notts and am on our 5th cycle. EC hopefully will be sometime next week. The last cycle we had PGD screening on 5 embies. Unfortunately all of them came back abnormal so we didn't have any transfered. We have been told that on our next cycle there is still a possiblity of getting 1 or 2 good ones. I'm 38 years and I think the older you get the more abnormal eggs you have. I've read of other ladies having results of all abnormal embies then going on to have other cycles with some normal embies so don't be alarmed.Basically after EC we had to wait approx. 5 days for the results but the clinic did keep up fully informed of developments. To be honest though I wish they didn't provide daily up-dates as the emotional rollercoaster is so stressfull. I think this time I am just going to ask them not to give me any up dates until they have the actual result of how many (if any) embies are OK.We paid an extra £1,250 on top of our IVF/ICSI so it total inc drugs our bill this time was £5,290. However, after loosing our baby at 21 weeks in April last year we wouldn't consider having any embies transferred without screening first.I don't think PGD screening (otherwise known as aneuploidy screening) is licenced in the UK as our biopsed cells were sent to Valencia, Spain to be tested. The embies stay in the UK.Good luck....Love Kay x

Anna F · 27 Nov 2003

Hi Kay & HelenThanks for your replies. At lease I know what to expect now. I'm so sorry you didn't have the outcome you wanted. But, I'm sure that PGD screening is the way to go and that you will have a postive outcome next time. I have acheived blastocysts embies before, so at least I know that they can get to this stage. I also have immune problems and I am currently on Humira.Helen, at what point during the treatment do confirm to ARGC that you want the PGD screening?Thanks for putting my mind at rest.love Anna

lvd · 11 Jul 2003

Hi Anna You might also post a note to SuzyT on the BBB board -- she had PGD and is now 25 weeks pregnant. Also, make sure you ask at ARGC the exact timing for the test. A friend went through a cycle and said she wanted PGD at the end but was told it was too late. She had thought it was done when the embryos are blastocysts (which is what I thought as well) but was told it's done earlier at ARGC.Good luck!

suzyT · 29 Jul 2002

Hi Anna - just wanted to wish you lots of luck for the PGD screening - as Ivd said, I've had it (on attempts 7,8 and 9) and am now 25 weeks pg. I really dont think I would be if I hadnt had the screening as it basically tells you which are the healthiest embroys to tx. Attempt 7 gave us 2 chromozomally good embroys but it failed due to other immune probs. Attempt no 8 unfortunately gave us no good ones. Attempt number 9 gave us 10 x grade 1 embroys (which embroyloigst said was the best quality they ever had to biopsy) this shockingly only gave us 1 good embroyo, and as I said, I am now 25 weeks. ~Whilst we were always shocked how few good ones we had to put back, it reaffirmed that we were doing the right thing, otherwise alot more stress and pain would have been ours, and of course we would have wasted alot of time, putting back embroys that either wouldnt implant, or that would later end in mc. Not screening doesnt change the result, so you really are better knowing. all the very best - sounds like you have really been through alot already, but for what its worth, I think you are doing the right thing. Suzie

suzyT · 29 Jul 2002

Kay, just wanted to wish you lots of luck for your next cycle too - keep us posted? Suzie

Anna F · 27 Nov 2003

Hi Ivd and Suzy.Thanks for your replies. Suzy it really is amazing that from 10 grade 1 embroys only one was crromozomally good. I am now thinking that this could be why it has not worked for me so far, I have always produced a good number of grade 1 embryos, my last fresh cycle I had 12 blastocysts which were all grade 1,the embroylogist said this was unheard of, but none have implanted. So the ones they were putting back were probably not viable. I often wonder if it is something to do with having elevated FSH levels (mine are between 9-11). Suzy what were your FSH levels? I dont know if this is connected or not. I definately think that this is the way forward for us.I am expecting AF next week, and will hopefully start stimms soon after.Hope you are both well and enjoying your pregnancies. Thanks for taking the time out to reply, it means a lot. It's great to hear from people who have had sucesses, particularly after numerous attempts. It reaffirms my hope that one day I will also be lucky.Take carelots of loveAnna

suzyT · 29 Jul 2002

Hi Anna - I'm afraid I dont know what my fhs levels were - it was something I never picked up on, possibly because there was never an issue there. The things that effected our chromzome quality I think were our ages - I am now 39 and dh 42, plus more importantly, my dh has severe mf (azoospermia). We both took M Grenvilles vits for men and women before our last cycle, plus ate an organic veg diet for 3 weeks beforehand, and stopped drinking. Harsh measures I know, but it worked for us! You are definatley going down the right track with this I think - as knowledge is power. All the very best of luck - the fact that you produce so many embroys, of such good quality, means you are perfect for PGD. I'll be looking out for your posts! Suzie

Anna F · 27 Nov 2003

Hi SuzyWe too have severe MF (azoospermia). Dh has been told it is probably due to series of blockages since they found lots of sperm by PESA. I am 35 and DH is 36. I have asked consultants before wheter the MF has an effect on the quality of the embroys, but I have always been told that it is unlikely as the embies do fertilize.Any way thanks for the info. Take care Love Anna x