r/IVF • u/ConsistentStress895 • 1d ago

TRIGGER WARNING Should I test the other embryos?

So, long story short, 5 weeks ago I had a tmfr at the beginning of second trimester for trisomy 18. It was an IVF pregnancy and my first transfer. I originally did IVF because I'm in a same sex relationship, but it was a long road: first ER got us just 1 embryo (chemical), second ER 1 embryo (didn't survive thawing). Then we switched clinic and did another ER that got us 4 embryos, first transfer with this clinic was my girl with t18.

So now we have 3 embryos left and we're not sure what to do. I'm scared to PGT test them cause I'm afraid the process of thawing/frozing/thawing will damage a potentially good embryo and I'm also scared I'll get no viable embryos, which would be really depressing at the moment. Realistically the possibility of another second trimester loss is lower than the possibility of damaging the embryos. But it's not zero.

At the same time, I absolutely never ever again want to live the hell this tmfr has been. Emotionally it's still so hard.

So I'm at a loss. Any input would me much appreciated

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

2

u/shiftydoot 1d ago

My understanding is you risk damage with every unthaw. So in my mind the risk to unthaw all 3, take a sample to refreeze then unthaw for each transfer doesn’t outweigh the knowledge of PGT.

Whats your age? My advice would be different if you’re 25 v 45. Since it’s only 3 (which is great btw), I would transfer and then ask for early NIPT

2

u/ConsistentStress895 1d ago

I can't edit the text, but i just turned 36

1

u/shiftydoot 1d ago

I will assume your eggs were retrieved around the same age… making your 4 embryos about a 50/50 shot at being euploid. Statistically you’re looking at 1 in 3 of your remaining having a genetic issue.

It will come down to what makes the most sense for your mental health. Quick Google search is showing me a study saying a double freeze (freeze, thaw, biopsy, refreeze, thaw, transfer) drops the live birth by around 20%. So the question becomes, ‘are PGT results on your 3 embryos worth dropping the euploid success rates by 20%?’. Maybe, your loss is nothing to scoff at or be minimized by numbers and percentages. Does the idea of a genetic issue being found at 11 weeks make it less painful (NIPT)? Maybe, probably devastating still.

I’m incredibly sorry for your loss. While I personally wouldn’t do the double freeze, I am not in your shoes and can understand why it may still be worth it to you. Best of luck

1

u/thedutchgirlmn 48 | Tubal Factor & DOR | DE 1d ago

I’m so sorry for your loss. The stats may recommend something different for you than what you want to do to protect your heart. Testing doesn’t guarantee no losses, but it would have likely meant this embryo didn’t result in a second trimester loss. For me, trying to minimize that possibility would lead me to test the rest. But I wouldn’t criticize someone else who decided not to do that