Normal Embryos with PGD

I had my telephone consultation with Repogenetics today and I am feeling very discouraged.  Because of what happened with Tracy, I asked them what are my chances of not getting any normal embryos.  They said that at my age (40), a woman would get an average of 1 or 2 normal embryos.  Then if you add in gender selection for a girl, of course it's even lower.  But they said it was an "average" and that I could get none or even 5.  I am so confused and discouraged right now.  Sometimes I feel like I am superwoman and I will definitely beat the odds, and other times I feel like I am getting my hopes up and wasting our money.  My DH is so afraid of how I will handle it if this fails.  I've assured him that I am trying to be realistic.  After all, we have 2 beautiful boys and we are already so blessed.  I just want my one shot at my dream.  I don't know what to do...

I think all you can really do is just try.  You can beat the odds.  The odds are based on an average anyway, so you can't really take too much to heart right now.  You gotta give your dream a chance.  I pray you get a ton of healthy girl embryos.

My consultation was essentially the same.  I'm 37 and the PA said that I would have ~2-3  normal ones.  With these odds, I think you need to add in microsorted sperm for an additional 4k.  Apparently, you need to have your fertility clinic check dh's sperm before and after freezing, to see if it freezes well.  If not, you would have to have dh go and give a fresh sample there and then freeze it just once.  Alternatively, if you do ICSI, you don't need many good sperm anyway so could freeze it twice for the journey to VA and back.  The person to talk to at Microsort about this is Nancy Gallucci.  I emailed her but didn't get a response, so call her instead.  This info I got from the IUI nurse at microsort.

I know, it is so troubling, isn't it.  They make us feel like we are ancient!

High or Low Tech,

Unfortunately, I'm not eligible for Microsort because I am over 39 yrs old.  I wish I knew this a few years ago when I originally was only considering Microsort with IUI.  Now IVF/PGD is my only option with no sperm sorting, not even Ericcson is allowed.  On the up side, if we do this, I am using one of the best IVF/PGD programs in the world in NYC, and my doctor is responsible for the very first PGD baby born!!

Good luck to you and don't wait!!!

Nicksmom...I did pgd/ivf and I did sperm sorting.  This was done in my clinic...no special method.  They took the sperm wash (which they do anyway) and took it one step further.  I don't know what was involved...and I didn't even know they offered it until I asked...

If I were you, I would speak directly to the embryologist (which is what I did) and ask if they have the ability to sort the sperm (I think it is based on centrifical force).  If they say they can but they don't beleive it does anything...just have them do it anyway.  They told me they didn't beleive it did anything...but after they did it...8 out of 12 were girls...and four were normal girls.  They told me after doing it that they will recommend it now to future patients who want to sway their odds. 

Good luck to you!

ps...I am pregnant with a daughter now (12 weeks along)

Boy-o-boy,

Congratulations on your baby girl to be!!!  That's wonderful!!  How many cycles did it take?  How many embryos did you transfer?  Where is the clinic you went to? 

I already asked my doctor about sperm sorting and yes, he said he didn't believe it did anythingmore than 50/50.  He then started talking about some legal reason why they don't like to use any sperm sorting.  Although I don't want to give out his name, he is one of the most respected fertility doctors in the world.   Who am I to question him?  I was just so glad they accepted me into the program, as a lot of IVF programs don't want to accept older women because they bring down their pregnancy results.  I feel very lucky to be so close to NYC and he said just the other day after my Hysterosalpingogram that I "should do just fine".  I'd like to get THAT in writing (LOL)!!!

Hi.  I went through one cycle and implanted only one embryo.  My doctor is in San Diego.  I got very lucky...however, I am young (early 30s), and never had fertility problems. 

I wish you the very best of luck!  Keep us posted :)

 

boy-o-boy