IVF with PGD #5

[Kmn]

I was at Melbourne - and they tested on Day 3 and transferred late on day 3.
Different clinics do it differently - but they are probably right to have just one procedure at each clinic, since it is really, really fiddly, and so much depends on the skills of the embryologist - so you want them to be very, very practised at whatever method is used.
The day 3 biopsies require drilling a hole into the embryo with a laser and sucking out one or two cells. They have 2 big disadvantages - it is more difficult to get a test that works on that tiny amount of genetic material (onja's 2 years to formulate a test, and my 3 years to formulate a test are pretty typical), and secondly not all embryo's survive the test.
The advantage is that some embryos that may not make it to day 5 in a culture dish could make it inside a body.
If I remember correctly you could manage to have healthy bubs just by sex selection though some of them would be carriers - if that is the case then you wouldn't have the test development marathon if you were to swap to a day 3 clinic. As far as I know there is a big waiting list for PGD at both Melbourne and Monash -but it wouldn't hurt to call them and ask. Melbourne has a specific PGD coordinator, who would be worth talking to.

[WeeMansMummy]

Thanks hun, im not on quite the rant i was yesterday. Im not sure if the risk to the embies is worth it or not. i spose either way you wont end up with much at the end, if anything.
I have a carrier female in the freezer, we will try using that one and if i have another BFN then we have some serious thinking to do.
xx

[WeeMansMummy]

Not much action in here lately!!!
Not sure if any of you are still lurking.... Hubby and i have decided to jump on the PGD rollercoaster again rather than doing a single embie FET. We plan to enjoy christmas and new year, then save like mad. We are aiming for April. YAY!!!
Pleeeeeeeease let number 3 be my BFP cycle.
xx

[Onja]

Hey Jaki - yeah not much PGD action going on. Glad ur trying again Not sure if u tried to PM as just discovered my inbox was full (and haven't been back here in ages)

Off to my first Obstetrician app today

Good luck to any PGD lurkers out there

[~ Mylitta ~]

Hi ladies,

My DH and I have just been approved to go through IVF with PGD for medical reasons (to reduce the chances of a genetic condition) and I had a couple of questions that I thought you girls that have been through the process might be able to answer for me.

We went to the initial compulsory counselling session for IVF, but we went to a group session where they talked about IVF cycles in general. It was more focused on couples that were going through IVF for infertility reasons, rather than for PGD. I'm wondering what the cycle might entail for me? Would I have to take the pill first or is that not done with PGD patients?

Also, did you have to wait long to start a cycle in order to coordinate with the PGD lab? I've heard that they can get busy and that sometimes people might be put on the pill for a while until the lab is ready?

I'm sure my FS will probably answer all these questions for me at our next apt, but I'm just excited (and nervous) and I like to try to be informed

[Kmn]

Hi Mylitta,
You will have a general IVF cycle - there are several varieties available, and for some of them you will be on the pill first.
There are 2 steps for genetic condition PGD - they first have to develop a test, (which takes some time, and which may also have a waiting list), and then they do the actual cycle with the PGD. There will be waiting involved - but I can't tell you how long. I do know that over the last few years the waiting has been reduced as they get better at test development and have more staff in the labs though. I had several years of test development and waiting before getting to do a cycle - but it's not usually so tricky now.
good luck!

[~ Mylitta ~]

Thanks for the info KMN Fingers crossed the waiting won't be too long. I'm so eager to get going, lol. Hopefully our situation isn't too complex because it's just going to involve the lab using FISH to dye and count the numbers of some of the chromosomes.

I'm amazed that you had to wait years for test development. Gosh that must have been so hard for you. I hope your journey had a happy ending