My lucky seven

So we got our results. I have not blogged yet that we decided back in January that we would not do a “fresh” embryo transfer for our next IVF cycle. We were advised by three clinics to do Preimplantation Genetic Diagnostic (PGD) testing of our embryos to ensure all of the chromosomes were normal; thus lowering the chance of miscarriage, stillbirth, and a child born with certain heath issues. It did not guarantee that we would have a healthy child though as not all genetic tests are done, but given that most miscarriages are due to abnormal chromosomes (as confirmed in my first pregnancy) the chances of this working if the embryo is “normal” is 80% per embryo transfer. The same chance as using an egg donated from a younger woman. This is ethically debated by some people, but we chose to reduce our risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. Enough heartbreak already.

What this used to involve was a biopsy of one of the eight cells formed in a 3 day embryo. There was a chance the embryo could be damaged by the biopsy or they chose a cell that was normal but others could be abnormal. Now, embryos are tested at the blastocyst stage (day 5-6) where there are hundreds of cells, and a sample is taken from the part that forms the placenta which is safer and a far more conclusive test, but not 100%.  

Our IVF cycle from last year had the following results:

19 eggs and discarded 2, 17 fertilized by ICSI.

15 embryos made it to day 3 and 14 made it to day 5. There were 6 high quality blastocysts in total, and we were told the results were outstanding. My clinic has very high standards for freezing so not all day 5 embryos were frozen.

2 transferred fresh – early miscarriage

2 transferred frozen – chemical pregnancy

2 transferred frozen – early miscarriage

So of course I was very nervous about this current cycle. I am a year older but hoping we would have equivalent results. We got:

16 eggs and discarded 3, all 13 fertilized by ICSI. 12 made it to day 3 and day 5. I was disappointed being a high achiever. They did though get 7 high quality blasts but one of them was lagging a bit behind. Again an outstanding cycle. The clinic reminds me, it's not the quantity of eggs, it is the quality.

Then there was the wait for the biopsy results. The samples from the placenta cells were sent to California for testing last Friday. The 7 blasts were put on ice until we knew the results. If we had any normal ones, we planned to wait until this winter to transfer them when I am (hopefully) done my Masters degree. I didn’t want a miscarriage right before I defended, nor have bad morning sickness if it worked.

I read the chances for a woman in her late thirties is that about 25-30% of the number of blasts biopsied will be chromosomally normal. If I was younger, it is more about 40-50%. I braced myself that none may be normal and just hoped for three of the seven.  

This past week, I was feeling more defeated and trying to be more accepting of our lives childless. I re-sent our adoption application to the Ministry and they said the fall education sessions were full so that meant no real movement til Spring of 2014. I looked up articles and support groups on childlessness, some of them I want to post on this blog.

Back to the biopsy….my doctor called me today. I knew the results must have come back. Deep breath, brace yourself.

Doc: The results came back. ALL SEVEN (oh shit, oh shit) came back completely normal.

Me: Really? (in an annoyed WTF voice)

Doc: That’s a good thing! Our new lab director who has worked all over the world is shocked, he says this is unheard of!!

Me: Then what is the problem??? A number of the blasts from last year would likely have been normal too and that didn’t work so what is it is then if not the embryos?

Doc: Well last year we didn’t test them, but yes if some were normal it could have been due to that small scar in your uterus that is now fixed.

I started to relax and we spoke of next steps and the number of embryos to transfer at one time. She said the chances of having twins are higher now than before and reminded me of all the complications that could result. Even though it is cheaper and less time consuming to do multiple transfers than single transfers, and the fact that couples going through infertility want to finally complete their families with as much ease as possible, the chance of stillbirth, and health complications to myself (I'm not a 5'10 big boned woman) and especially our children, is not worth the risk. Ugghh. Okay, I know more than my share now about stillbirth and kids with health issues. Agreed.

I called Gerry. I told him to brace himself which I know was not fair because last week our rental condo flooded for the second time in eight months (just 3 weeks after all the repairs were finally finished - long story). He thought our whole building got demolished. I told him the news and could tell he was beaming over the phone. Then I started to smile. We are at a high point on the infertility roller coaster again and I am hoping we don’t fall.

I’ve been beaming all day thinking of my lucky seven.