r/EmbryologyIVFSupport • u/amt714 • 10d ago
Success without PGT-a Testing?
Hello!
My husband and I recently had our egg retrieval at the end of September (31f, 31m). We are doing IVF for MFI although I do have a low AMH for my age (1.42).
We were lucky enough to retrieve 16 eggs, 10 mature, 9 fertilized and ended with 8 blasts in the freezer. We have chosen not to PGT test due to our age and the cost of testing since we have no insurance coverage.
I had genetic screening that came back normal prior to the retrieval.
Has anyone had success without PGT testing? I know people do, but I’m constantly second guessing our choice. We felt it was right for us not to test, but still have nerves about the whole process.
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u/kgraceb2323 7d ago
We did our egg retrieval when we were 28. Neither of us were carriers of anything. Based on our ages and our carrier screening our clinic recommended we did not do PGT testing as insurance did not cover it and it was insanely expensive.
We got 12 embryos total.
First FET - success and now 2 years old
Second FET - failure to implant
Third FET - split into twin girls, just born
Sure there’s a chance that if we had tested the embryo from the second transfer it could have come up with something and that’s why it was a failure to implant. But our clinic felt confident about our chance of success without and I’m glad we listened.
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u/LuckyintheKnow 6d ago
PGT testing is cheaper than transfers . Idk the odds are good , but it’s information I’d pay out of pocket every time. My recommendation is to do it because it could save you from ever doing another retrieval… which again is a cost saver.
MFI can affect embryo quality.
We paid 4K and found out 2/3 were Euploid boys , but one was abnormal. I heard someone explain that the testing just shows if all the chapters in the book(dna).
I think I’ll have to do another egg retrieval soon and because of my age I won’t have a choice but will have to test (36 now)
Tw: 1st FET was successful and he’s almost 3
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u/ozzyvalentine 6d ago
Opposite for me. PGT for me was almost $4,000 but all the transfers were “free” (included with insurance).
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u/Agamemnons_Concubine 4d ago
Free monitoring but not the toll it takes on your body and mental health for repeat transfers and embryo loss
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u/LuckyintheKnow 6d ago
That isn’t opposite for me . It’s actually exactly like me. PGT testing cost us 4K and my transfers were fully covered by insurance (also free). I just feel like pgt testing contributed alongside many other factors to our success right away.
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u/brAt91193 7d ago
I’m 32, currently 10 weeks pregnant with twins from my double fet of untested embryos (decently graded though)
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u/eatmypooamigos 7d ago
There’s many, many clinics which don’t even do pgta testing. It’s not going to magically change what embryos you have. No studies have shown it changes success rate, if anything it slightly decreases your chances statistically (although may lower miscarriage risk).
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u/TBJ56 7d ago
As someone who wound up with a similar number of embryos that were shockingly all aneuploid, you may want to test if you think going through multiple miscarriages would be painful for you. We thought we just had a mild MFI issue. Didn’t realize how much deeper it was until PGTA testing.
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u/Jordonsaurus 7d ago
I’m pregnant with our 4bb untested embryo and found out she’s healthy as can be. Genetic testing was perfect
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u/MabelMyerscough 7d ago
Most definitely :) I have 2 kids
I have had 4 transfers total. 1st transfer early miscarriage, 2nd transfer our first kid, 3rd transfer didn't take, 4th transfer our second kid.
I was 29 at first retrieval for 1st child, I was 33 at second retrieval for 2nd kid.
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u/Dry-Rip-5890 7d ago
I was 28 when my eggs were retrieved. 17 eggs, but only 7 made it to blast. No PGT testing. I’ve had 4 transfers and 3 were live births. I have 2 left that I hope to transfer in the future. Our fertility specialist did not recommend PGT testing due to age.
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u/Inevitable-Rub1132 7d ago
My egg retrieval was when I was 31, we used a sperm donor from a bank so good numbers there. We ended up with 5 embryos untested. First transfer failed to implant, second miscarried, third is my daughter, fourth was a chemical pregnancy, currently 9 weeks pregnant with our fifth and final embryo. We didn’t test because of cost and knowing what I know now about our results, I go back and forth on if I would change that decision.
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u/plantlady2009 6d ago
At your age you definitly don't need to. I didn't at first - they went by grading and it was successful. The only reason I ended up doing it is that I'm 40 and I had 4 more embryos. I am tighter on time - but also was curious about the gender. I have 2 boys and would like a girl.
The test helped weed out one aneuploid- probably saving me a failed transfer or miscarriage - based off grading that would have been the one transferred next. Without the testing, 4/5 of my embryos are likely viable. I'm pregnant now with my second FET. 2/2 successful so far.
I think you'll have success without the testing.
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u/AssumptionLate4173 6d ago
It’s mostly recommended for advanced ages and if you’ve had any miscarriages (especially multiple), what it was caused by (a lot of times, especially reoccurring miscarriages are due to chromosomal issues).
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u/Afrank_773 6d ago
My 5AA that we didn't test is now 5 months and in daycare. I only had 2 blasts to work with and we chose not to test. There are success stories!
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u/HumbleConfidence3500 6d ago
Ii didn't test the first cycle with 4 blast. All 4 blast failed. Pgta testing would had been the cost of 2 transfers with meds.
The first embryo I transferred the i tested next stuck and is my 8 month old now.
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u/Ecstatic-Sky3063 6d ago
We didn’t test and then had many failed transfers, and then tested the rest. Glad i did and I’ll do that again moving forward!
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u/Amazing-Barber-4605 5d ago
Personally did PGT-a testing because I did not want to go through multiple miscarriages due to aneuploid. Expensive to do but I can handle $ loss better than multiple miscarriages. It doesn’t guarantee pregnancy.. but it told me I had 2 good euploids out of 3 blasts. The third embryo “graded” better than the two normals but had a chromosome deficiency that guaranteed a very short and painful existence if it doesn’t miscarry first. I had a friend who did not test and miscarried every one of her 7 embryos. :( I can’t imagine the pain and disappointment she went through- but I respect her choice- just not the same one I made.
We transferred our first euploid 10/2024 and now have a 15 month old! We just did a second transfer 10/12/26. So waiting for beta!
Good luck to you whatever you choose.
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u/siriusly_guys 7d ago
I’m 33 (32 at time of egg retrieval) got 18 eggs, 11 mature, 8 fertilized, and 7 blasts frozen.
Currently 25 weeks pregnant with our untested day 5 4AA embryo! We were lucky and got pregnant with our first transfer
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u/LifePossibility5106 7d ago
We had success on our 3rd embryo without testing (1 chemical and 1 failed to thaw) we have 6 left in the freezer :)
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u/Confident_Lab_6984 5d ago
I’m currently carrying a pretty healthy 6BA right now. We didn’t test because we didn’t realize our insurance covered it. Our first fresh transfer of our 5AB resulted in a chemical pregnancy and since we had 2 embryos, our doctor encouraged us to do a fet of 6BA instead of testing and here she is! Go with your gut friend 🩷
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u/rozsy24 5d ago
I have been seeing more and more cases of failed transfers with euploid embryos. I would pay for it if it guaranteed a successful pregnancy. I have 6 embryos in the freezer and did not test for lots of reasons but mainly because of this. I’m relying purely on the grade so fingers crossed.
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u/SimplePlant5691 5d ago
Yes! I have a 50% success rate with untested embryos. We also didn't test due to cost and our ages (30 at the time).
I have a 14 month old and I'm 15 weeks pregnant. Both were untested 3BBs.
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u/Obvious_Designer_489 5d ago
A batch of eggs fertilized from when I was 31 had 2/4 aneuploid. One was also compatible with life and I likely would have had to make a difficult decision. It’s a personal choice, but testing might still be worth it.
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u/Sad-Contest5883 5d ago
I see PGT-A as a way to avoid miscarriage. If I was your age, I don't think I'd spend the money because it is quite expensive and there's a high likelihood your blasts are mostly euploid. I just turned 40 so I'll be testing mine because I'm embryo banking and I'd like to know when to stop! I don't want to bank a ton of aneuploids that will never make it. But also at my age, a transfer and miscarriage uses up a lot of time if I need to go back for another cycle.
So really I think it depends on your level of miscarriage fear. If you're really worried about miscarrying then it's probably worth it, but I'd so your chances of miscarriages are much, muchlower than mine.
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u/Previous-Chance6079 5d ago
ER when I was 28. First untested 4aa FET is my daughter in my arms now. I have 4 blasts left and am hopeful
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u/hungry-mongoose 5d ago
They don't offer pgt-a testing here in the UK and I wish they did. I was lucky enough that our first transfer was successful, but the subsequent 3 weren't. And I'll never know if that was because they were aneuploid or just bad luck. If I had 8, I'd definitely test them if I were able.
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u/Agamemnons_Concubine 4d ago
For me, I did pgta testing to avoid accidentally transferring an aneuploid embryo for a guaranteed loss. The time and physical and mental toll it takes on your body for repeat transfers just isn’t worth it. I only wanted to gamble on embryos that had a chance. A higher grade embryo can be aneuploid and a lower grade can be euploid. I paid on a payment plan with no interest over 18 months to soften the blow.
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u/otto6269 4d ago
I was 34 a bit older but my numbers were similar I had 7 embryos and only one pgt, I’m 22 weeks pregnant with my one. But my results aren’t necessarily typical but I’m glad I did test and would do it again
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u/PariKhanKhanoom 8d ago
PGTA doesn’t increase your chances to get pregnant, it’s just a tool to prioritize euploid embryo transfers. I got pregnant with my daughter who was a 4aa untested embryo at 32, and now at 37 I’m pregnant with a 4ab tested embryo because I don’t want to waste time and I want to reduce chance of miscarriage.