[EJsMommy]

I just got my package from Shady Grove Fertility clinic and they had a few sheets covering the genetics counseling. I am wondering for those that have gone to an RE did opt to go thru the genetic testing or opted not to? What was your reasoning for opting in or opting out? I have a few more weeks before my appointment but wanted to check what others have done.
Thanks for your input on this.

[.:Shortcake:.]

I have not gone to an RE yet but my OB offered genetic testing to me... DH and I both agreed to decline it. We are willing to live with any child no matter what.

[EJsMommy]

Katie thank you for your response.

[ashj_1218]

I went to Shady Grove as well...the branch in Annapolis I liked them there, very thorough.

If you have not been to your consultation yet, it might be a non-issue. Depending on your issues, they might not see a reason to go for genetic testing right away. They might run the "normal" tests (like the HSG, Mock-Embryo, Hormone levels, clotting issues, sperm samples) and go from there. If they get the answers they think they need, you might not have to do genetic testing at all. We did not have to proceed that far. My issue was found quickly (clotting) and we never did genetic testing.

We would have continued on for genetic testing if we had not found an issue with the normal tests. Chromosome abnormailites can be a cause of losses and I would want to know if there was something preventing us from concieving a chromosomally normal child. If the possible outcomes were compatible with life, we would at least know what to prepare for. If they were not, I feel it might take some of the blame and questions out of my miscarriages. Depending on the genetic issues, it could just be a waiting game to concieve a child, giving me patience and strength to keep going (like in the case of a mutated gene of a parent and needing to be passed the non-mutated copy). It could also open doors to medical intervention (like IVF series to shorten the time it could take to concieve a healthy child). I see it as a positive option...but one you *might* not have to address.

Good luck. Hope all goes well. We had lots of success shortly after being treated by them (see siggy!)

[*SamF*]

We have never done genetic testing because we know it's due to bad eggs. I know I have good ones (ds is proof of that) we just have to catch one. Nothing in either of our backgrounds pointed toward needing full genetic testing.

[missy123]

We never went through the genetic testing when TTC as they knew our issues was my age and egg quality. They may go through the basic testing before going that route. Do you have insurance that covers infertility?

[EJsMommy]

Originally Posted by missy123

We never went through the genetic testing when TTC as they knew our issues was my age and egg quality. They may go through the basic testing before going that route. Do you have insurance that covers infertility?

Yes in a way but my insurance company would not know until the doctor's office provided codes for what they did as tests and such to determine what is covered and what is not. They have a lot of for instance situations as well that they look into to see if it is covered and on what basis. I don't think we do need genetic testing but again my husband has very little to no information on his family medical history. We have not yet gone to our 1st consultation so we do have time. I will discuss with DH and see what he thinks.

Originally Posted by ashj_1218

I went to Shady Grove as well...the branch in Annapolis I liked them there, very thorough.

If you have not been to your consultation yet, it might be a non-issue. Depending on your issues, they might not see a reason to go for genetic testing right away. They might run the "normal" tests (like the HSG, Mock-Embryo, Hormone levels, clotting issues, sperm samples) and go from there. If they get the answers they think they need, you might not have to do genetic testing at all. We did not have to proceed that far. My issue was found quickly (clotting) and we never did genetic testing.

We would have continued on for genetic testing if we had not found an issue with the normal tests. Chromosome abnormailites can be a cause of losses and I would want to know if there was something preventing us from concieving a chromosomally normal child. If the possible outcomes were compatible with life, we would at least know what to prepare for. If they were not, I feel it might take some of the blame and questions out of my miscarriages. Depending on the genetic issues, it could just be a waiting game to concieve a child, giving me patience and strength to keep going (like in the case of a mutated gene of a parent and needing to be passed the non-mutated copy). It could also open doors to medical intervention (like IVF series to shorten the time it could take to concieve a healthy child). I see it as a positive option...but one you *might* not have to address.

Good luck. Hope all goes well. We had lots of success shortly after being treated by them (see siggy!)

Ashlee, I have not gone to the first consultation yet so it might be a non-issue. I will discuss with DH and also discuss with the doctor on the consultation to see what they say.

[ashj_1218]

I hope they find it quickly. I was very impressed with their facilities and methodical way of eliminating issues.

There is certainly no "right" answer for genetic testing. But I hope you and DH can decide together what you would like to do. It must be hard to not know a lot about DH's history. I can see how there would be benefits to having it done.

When they talked to us about insurance coverage, they did mention that they can often code things to be covered. Just in case you were worried about that. Most of the testing can be considered medical So hopefully that will not come into play.

[TnPhotoMama81]

We had genetic testing done but I am glad we did...thats how we found out I have 3 clotting disorders.

[luvmykids623]

We had genetic testing done. That's how I found out I have MTHFR. Otherwise, DH and I appear genetically healthy. We would accept any child no matter what, but since we were doing it to try and find out the causes of our losses, we figured it would be good to know what might possibly happen.

[Mom.to.PinknBlue]

When Harleigh is older it is recommended that she goes through genetic testing because she carries an abnormal hemoglobin. DH is a carrier of the trait and I am not, which is why it really isn't too much of a concern until she decides she wants to have kids.
I think the more information you can have the better