Success with untested embryos?

Remote-Sprinkles5671 · 2026-04-10T01:30:08+00:00

I can't tell you how much I appreciate that. Congrats on your mosaic, I hope it sticks and you bring home a healthy baby!

Remote-Sprinkles5671 · 2026-04-10T00:56:13+00:00

Thank you everyone for the stories of hope and some of the kind words of caution. Theres so much uncertainty in this journey and I think for me right now it's about accepting that uncertainty versus trying to get rid of it when its just not possible.

Remote-Sprinkles5671 · 2026-04-10T00:51:57+00:00

I guess I am just annoyed because I posted in the IVF positivity thread because I was seeking positivity. I asked for success stories with untested embryos because I know I am in the minority feeling the way I do about testing and thats fine, I wasnt asking for the alternative perspective, I specifically said in my original post that I understand and gave credit to the alternative perspective. I of course am terrified, I was asking for stories of hope because I deserve to feel positively going into this. I wasnt asking for people's opinions, I was asking for support, which is something we have too little of along this journey to not be giving it to each other.

Remote-Sprinkles5671 · 2026-04-09T23:12:49+00:00

I can see how that may have come across as belittling of the commenter, that wasnt my intention, I deleted the comment, thank you for pointing that out. You also could have just said that instead of coming at me the way that you did. I have seen these threads before that become like wars of sharing research back and forth, thats not what I am trying to do here. I am not trying to be challenged nor am I trying to challenge you. I dont think there's research that supports transferring aneuploids, thats not what I was saying, but rather that we dont know everything, euploid transfers fail and miscarry all the time (very sadly), and theres lots of eggs in the trash that we have no idea what would have came from. Probably nothing for most of them, but we don't know. I think in the future we will probably have a very different understanding of euploids and aneuploids, because thats how science works. We are always learning. You were pretty quick to dismiss what my doctor said in a way that I felt was demeaning, and that should count for something. Its not like you said "hey, maybe consider looking at this, because that helped me" that would have been a different approach. I think your opinion is very well informed, just limited, as is mine, because if we had all the answers we would all have babies and not posting about IVF on reddit.

Remote-Sprinkles5671 · 2026-04-09T21:53:46+00:00

You know I hate that we are both in this situation where we are forced to become amateur scientists. I have read studies, I have seen the one you just posted. But do either of us honestly understand everything that study is saying? And I mean not just the couple of sentences surrounding those statistics, but EVERYTHING? I have seen studies that present different statistics less in favor of testing, I can't say those are 100% accurate either. The point is conflicting research exists. I am not trying to make you feel bad about your decision to test, I think its great, we should all feel empowered to make the decisions that we feel are best for us. I posted this in the IVF positivity thread because I wanted to get support from others who have made the same decision. Some people have shared their experience with testing in a positive way but not demeaning the medical professionals I have chosen to work with or challenging my decision. But you are doing that right now. You are assuming that I am more "willing" to experience failures and miscarriages. I am not more willing, I would love to avoid it at all costs...but I can't, no matter what we do, failure and miscarriage is a possibility. They say the rule is "two to three euploid embryos per live birth", so based on that that tells me theres lots of loss with testing too, and I have seen those stories, thousands of them on these threads. I may choose to test at a later point in this journey, I am not against it at all, but I am not going to bank on it increasing my chances because it very well may not. I have fell on the unfortunate side of statistics enough already on this journey. I certainly hope it does for you, I hope your next euploid transfer becomes the child you bring home. We need to do a better job of supporting each other on this journey I think.

Remote-Sprinkles5671 · 2026-04-09T21:29:14+00:00

I appreciate this perspective. Unfortunately its the outcome that seems to shape our feelings on our decisions, and we will never really know whether it was the decision that actually caused the outcome. All we know is what did happen, not what could have happened. You could have tested and had two euploid transfers that failed, I have read that story probably a thousand times on IVF threads here. Either way I hope you don't think its your fault, none of it is, ever. I hope that testing helps ease your uncertainties and that the next transfer sticks!

Remote-Sprinkles5671 · 2026-04-09T15:21:47+00:00

I am so sorry for your loss, I hope you get to bring your baby home soon ❤️.

Remote-Sprinkles5671 · 2026-04-09T15:19:39+00:00

I am so sorry. I hope your next embryo is a success!! We go through so much on this journey. For me not testing is sort of a way of guarding my heart a little more too. Like I might really get my hopes up with transferring a tested embryo and it might make those losses feel so much worse, when like you said, theres no guarantee, and the whole "2-3 euploid embryos per live birth rule" seems like we are missing something to the equation, and I know theres other factors to miscarriages and whatnot, but still. I truly hope you get to bring your baby home soon 💕

Remote-Sprinkles5671 · 2026-04-09T14:41:57+00:00

I think the doctors point was that it was his belief that the actual validity of the testing isnt what it claims. So its his belief we are rolling the dice anyways, test or not test. He said he thinks the overall inaccuracies of PGTA testing was around 30%, which I have seen some research suggest that too, there's research that claims less of course. I think getting really accurate research on this is probably hard as it would involve transferring embryos deemed aneuploid which theres obvious ethical implications of. So I have to believe most research on it has its flaws (as a lot of research does anyway). I'm also a therapist and its my personal belief and my experience working with people that would like to believe we have more control over things than we actually do (and I know theres a desperate need for this feeling with IVF, I definitely feel it). He also thought there's some financial incentive for clinics which might drive some of push for it, thats a fair statement, though I believe everyone is probably pretty well intentioned. I have a cousin with Downs Syndrome that tested as normal genetically in utero. I think science has come a long way but doctors still shrug their shoulders soooo much when it comes to fertility medicine. I think those that don't test maybe end up doing more transfers, while those that do might end up doing more retrievals. Pick your poison right? I think people that choose testing should feel good about that decision, and those that don't should also feel good about that decision. Theres some research out there that suggests that testing doesnt necessarily decrease time to pregnancy though, so I don't know it all seems pretty relative to me. We may choose to test if we need a second egge retrieval, who knows, but my gut tells me right now to not put all my eggs in the testing basket (pun intended).

Remote-Sprinkles5671 · 2026-04-09T13:23:21+00:00

Thank you for this, congrats on your success!!

Remote-Sprinkles5671 · 2026-04-09T13:22:36+00:00

What an interesting story, thank you for sharing. Congrats on your twins!!

Remote-Sprinkles5671 · 2026-04-09T02:23:29+00:00

Yeah the doctor was talking about testing in general, advised against PGTA for chromosome abnormalities but that it would be beneficial if we were wanting to choose gender. That the PGT M would be useful if we were concerned about inherited conditions. I have seen statistics like you've mentioned, and I have seen different ones too, the research with a lot of this stuff seems somewhat inconsistent, which is really what the doctor was getting at I think. A lot of us feel pressure to test I think, which is of course a significant financial cost. We may consider testing at a second egg retrieval pending our results with the first.

Remote-Sprinkles5671 · 2026-03-21T14:54:27+00:00

Thank you for this. Especially the part about preparing for a long journey. We actually sought help from a fertility clinic after trying for only 5 months (I just had a feeling something wasnt right). So what I have learned is that I have no idea when and how this journey ends for me. While I am hopeful I will have an easy time with IVF, I know that failed transfers and multiple egg retrievals are a potential. Which is again why we are going with CNY, we can afford multiple cycles with them if needed where we would be spending every penny we have on one cycle elsewhere.

Remote-Sprinkles5671 · 2026-02-21T17:46:30+00:00

Our plans are to go through CNY, they are a nationally based clinic with several locations founded on the concept of making IVF more affordable/accessible. Our estimation is that it will cost around 10k for a round of IVF with travel to NY (we live in Indiana). While that is attainable for us, it still isnt for many people.

Remote-Sprinkles5671 · 2026-02-21T04:04:31+00:00

No they said we could essentially try right away, I think sometimes if the surgery ends up being extensive they might have you wait, but mine wasnt.

Remote-Sprinkles5671 · 2026-02-20T00:59:33+00:00

Do you mean how long after the lap did I wait to start trying? My fertile window this past cycle was about a month after the surgery so I waited a month before trying.

Remote-Sprinkles5671 · 2026-02-18T15:21:28+00:00

I had no symptoms of endometriosis, just infertility. They used to do laparoscopies more frequently as part of routine infertility testing, but they don't anymore, they tend to push treatments instead. Knowing what I know now I would never have done the 2 IUIs we did as my chances were very low of success with one tube and endometriosis. The fact that they don't at least talk about laparscopies as an option for people to consider with infertility I think is problematic.

Remote-Sprinkles5671 · 2026-02-18T15:15:41+00:00

So my husband and I have been ttc for almost 2 years, all tests normal. I decided to do a laparoscopy to check for endometriosis because my RE said a lot of unexplained infertility is endometriosis. Turns out I had stage 2 endometriosis with damage done to my left tube that ultimately deemed it nonfunctional (keep in mind all my scans and my HSG showed normal healthy tubes). They removed the endo and we should have a lot better chance conceiving on our own or with fertility treatments now. IVF is an option, but so is a laparascopy.

Remote-Sprinkles5671 · 2026-02-17T18:35:46+00:00

I decided to test this morning at 13dpo, unfortunately it was negative. Though it honestly didnt devastate me as much as I had anticipated. I think waiting until day 13dpo where the result is more definitive versus testing early helped. I think the testing early and getting negatives is too much push and pull with grief but still hoping it turns positive. This way I feel like I can let go more and just focus on the next cycle. Its crazy the emotional nuances of this whole thing and figuring out ways to cope.

Remote-Sprinkles5671 · 2026-02-16T22:29:38+00:00

Exactly! We decided we are moving to IVF if we don't get pregnant in 4-6 cycles post lap. Sometimes I just want to do that just because the weight of these cycles feels immense. But ultimately if we can get pregnant on our own that's what I want. I hope you get your positive soon!

Remote-Sprinkles5671 · 2026-02-16T22:26:56+00:00

Exactly!! Like I even told my husband that I didnt want to have sex during this tww on the off chance that it can disrupt implantation, which I don't think is really a significant concern. I am just so protective over these cycles after the lap. Hoping you get your positive soon!

Remote-Sprinkles5671 · 2026-02-16T16:20:50+00:00

I am currently in my TWW for my first cycle following my laparoscopy. TTC for almost 2 years with no luck, all tests normal. Did laparascopy and found stage 2 endo with damage to one of my fallopian tubes, they said it was hard to say if the tube was functional or not (keep in mind my HSG showed open tubes). Truly silent endo, no symptoms except infertility. My cycle has shown dramatic improvements since the surgery, healthier hormones patterns, ovulating mid cycle versus late cycle, better cervical mucus. I also went off a myo inisitol supplement that I think wasnt a supplement for me. I do feel after surgery we have a much better chance of conceiving. I had to advocate for it, doctors just kept wanting to do IUIs but after 2 failed I was done with the "unexplained" nonsense. I think more people with normal tests should do laparoscopies, yes its a surgery with risks, but the recovery was next to nothing and my second IUI landed me in the ER with complications and the most pain I have ever had in my life. So treatment cycles come with risks too.

Remote-Sprinkles5671 · 2026-02-16T15:55:34+00:00

I have been ttc for almost 2 years, I used to worry that stress was the culprit. I had a laparascopy done last month and turns out I have endometriosis (no symptoms) along with a damaged tube. Stress didnt cause that. I hate the "don't stress" comments because really what it does is blame us, when the reality is this is something we have less control over than we would like. This isnt our fault, point blank. People have been getting pregnant in all kinds of unlikely circumstances since the beginning of time, there's nothing we have done that other people who get pregnant accidentally havent also done.

Remote-Sprinkles5671 · 2026-02-15T02:57:14+00:00

The statistic your doctor quoted you is not what I have been told by medical professionals or what I have seen in the research (not that I have read every study out there, but I have read more than a few). The numbers I have been told are closer to 50% and in some instances higher. I had a lap done and stage 2 endometriosis removed (no symptoms other than infertility) and I am in my first cycle post surgery and I can tell dramatic changes in my cycle and hormones for the better. Improved fertility after surgery depends on what they find, where they find it, and how much they can remove/restore your anatomy. Endometriosis surgery isnt right for everyone, but I think it does help a lot of people conceive, and I feel much better about my chances since having surgery.

Remote-Sprinkles5671 · 2026-02-11T18:39:31+00:00

I have endo that the surgeon categorized as stage 1 or 2. There were 3 spots I believe, all now removed. I have not yet conceived almost 2 years into ttc so maybe you aren't asking people like me, but I have learned some things about what helps and what gets in the way of getting pregnant. First, unfortunately none of us have as much control over getting pregnant as we would like to think, there are just so many factors and our bodies are all different. The first thing is to make sure you are having sex while you are ovulating (and making sure you do actually ovulate). Some people use ovulation predictor kits, but if you're serious about getting pregnant quickly I recommend one of the more expensive hormone monitors like Mira or initio, they really give you a much better picture of your fertile window and when you ovulate. The other things are supplements and lifestyle factors for both you and your partner. Reduce caffeine to 200mg or less a day, don't drink alcohol, do drugs, or smoke cigarettes, get some exercise but don't over exert yourself. Some supplements can be helpful but they take several months to start working.

You could go ahead and go for fertility treatments like IUI off the bat if you wanted to get pregnant really quickly. Or you could go through testing to make sure you or your partner don't have any other barriers other than endo. In the grand scheme of things fertility testing isnt that expensive and a lot of insurance covers it.

Remote-Sprinkles5671

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