Fertility tests for couples may sometimes show that everything is fine, even if a woman is having difficulty becoming pregnant. To receive an unexplained infertility diagnosis might be distressing, but it is not always the end of the road. This was what Lade and Deji went through.
The couple wished to have a child but were unable to conceive naturally. They required answers. Adedeji went to the men’s medical section, while Lade went to her obstetrician /gynaecologist.
While the couple were confused about what to do next, Lade’s doctor suggested they make an appointment with a reproductive expert. They underwent more testing, and the findings indicated that they were experiencing unexplained infertility. In Vitro Fertilization, known as IVF, was recommended at that time. After one cycle of IVF, the couple had 11 eggs after the retrieval operation, and five embryos after fertilisation of the eggs. This necessitated another cycle of IVF for them to pool more embryos. Then they used IVF to check their embryos for chromosomal abnormalities and then used preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A). PGT-A can aid in the identification and exclusion of embryos with chromosomal abnormalities, a major cause of miscarriage.
The approach assisted Lade and Deji in identifying and discarding aneuploid embryos, which had a lower chance of resulting in a successful pregnancy or a healthy infant. It also increased their odds of having a successful pregnancy. They boosted their odds of getting pregnant and having a child with no birth problems by solely implanting chromosomally normal embryos. After the 10-day wait to take a pregnancy test, they got the happy news that they were pregnant. The waiting and work were worth it.
John and Ruth had been trying to conceive for two years, but each attempt had resulted in a miscarriage. They decided to pursue IVF after numerous rounds of fruitless reproductive treatments. They were both anxious about the possibility of miscarriage, as Ruth had already experienced two miscarriages. PGT-A was also advised by their fertility doctor to examine their embryos for chromosomal abnormalities, a known cause of miscarriage.
John and Ruth agreed to the procedure, and their IVF cycle was successful. They had several embryos that were found to be healthy, and one of these embryos was transferred to Ruth’s uterus. She became pregnant and carried the pregnancy to term, giving birth to a healthy baby boy. She and John were overjoyed. David and Sarah had been married for five years and were ready to have children. They were both aware, however, that they were both carriers of the sickle cell gene.
The couple, in their mid-30s, decided to undergo IVF and pre-implantation genetic testing for single-gene diseases (PGT-M) to screen their embryos for sickle cell after consulting with various specialists. The test is a form of genetic testing that is used to detect embryos with single-gene diseases such as sickle cell. Their IVF round went well and many embryos were checked for sickle cell. Some of their embryos were discovered to be healthy and devoid of the cystic fibrosis gene after extensive testing.
Sarah became pregnant after this embryo was implanted in her uterus. She gave birth to a healthy baby girl after carrying the pregnancy to term. PGT aided the three couples in a variety of ways. It enhanced the likelihood of pregnancy. By detecting and transferring only viable embryos, the PGT increased the odds of conception.
There was also a lower chance of miscarriage. By removing embryos with chromosomal abnormalities, which are a major cause of miscarriage, the PGT helped to lower the chance of miscarriage.
The capacity of PGT to prevent hereditary abnormalities should not be disregarded. By detecting and rejecting embryos with single-gene diseases or other genetic problems, the method can help avoid genetic illnesses.
As a safe and effective procedure that can help couples achieve a healthy pregnancy, PGT is highly recommended and it is important to talk to fertility specialists about the risks and benefits to determine if it is right for you. The procedure is currently available in Nigeria, and the number of clinics where it is available is fast growing.
PGT is safe and effective, but there are some risks associated with it. Couples may worry about the cost, risks, and success rate. It is not unusual that this happens. Couples may also feel anxious about the outcome of the procedure, especially if they have had previous miscarriages or unsuccessful fertility treatments.
Although PGT can be expensive, the cost varies depending on the clinic and the type of testing that is performed. It is a complex procedure, and one of the main risks is not having any embryo for transfer, all the embryos are affected, especially when screening for genetic disorder. This is the reason why doctors insist on having a sufficient number of blastocysts (Day 5 embryos).
There may also be false negative results and false positive results. False negative results occur when a chromosomally abnormal embryo is incorrectly identified as normal, while false positive results occur when a chromosomally normal embryo is incorrectly identified as abnormal. Then there is the emotional toll. PGT can be stressful and emotionally draining.
The recommendation is that for anyone considering PGT, it is advisable to talk to their doctor about the risks and benefits of the procedure, as well as their individual eligibility. They should also be prepared for the emotional toll that PGT can take. Couples should also discuss their individual needs and goals with their doctor before deciding whether PGT is right for them.
