What would you do?

aliciafiggy · September 2014

I have the opportunity to participate in a trial study for The Eeva System, an investigational time-lapse imaging system, for my next IVF cycle coming up in a few weeks. It's basically a non-invasive time-lapse imaging device, not yet FDA approved in USA, that observes cell division and assess development potential for each embryo. It would give me a great chance of getting a high quality embryo. And I'm qualified!

The thing that makes me nervous is that they will only transfer one embryo, and each patient in the study will be randomly assigned one of the three treatments:

1. Day 3 embryo transfer with selection of embryo by the Eeva System and traditional morphology.
2. Day 5 embryo transfer with selection of embryo by the Eeva System and traditional morphology.
3. Day 5 embryo transfer with selection of embryo by traditional morphology only.

I will not only be "unblinded" by which option my embryo went through until confirmation of pregnancy on ultrasound or a negative pregnancy test.

What would you do? I'm leaning towards taking the risk but I'm concerned about option number 3. What if I got to day 5 and they find out I have no embryos to transfer. Yikes! Big risk, but could have big rewards.

aliciafiggy · September 2014

Nope. Only get a movie after it's over (if you go actually get to use the system, and not end up with option # 3).

Twinkie0612 · September 2014

I go to a clinic that only does day 5 transfers. Their thought is that a 5 day transfer is more natural for the embryo because during natural conception the embryo would be in the uterus around day 5. Day 3 the embryo would still be in the fallopian tubes. They also feel that if an embryo doesn't make it to Day 5 in the lab that it would not have survived in the uterus either. I would rather have my transfer cancelled (which I don't have to pay for) than have a transfer of embryos that wouldn't make it anyway. So I wouldn't be turned off by not having the option of a day 3 transfer at all.

aliciafiggy · September 2014

Thank you both! I emailed the doctor and asked about a discount on the next cycle if it fails. My last cycle was a Day 5 transfer, I guess the only risk is that I wouldn't have any to freeze and you're right about the poor embryos not implanting anyways. Ahh lots to think about.

katers79 · September 2014

I agree with @IFinTN. Something should make this a little more of an incentive. Cool concept, but lots at risk!

przemosbabe · September 2014

Wouldn't do it unless they offered me something. Seems you're helping them out, not they you so I would want sometime in return of the risk.

missmarypoppins · September 2014

We participated in Eeva for IVF #2. We weren't offered any incentive but were given quite a but of research to look over that explained the benefits of it. The embryos are exposed to much less light when using Eeva and research has shown that embies really don't like light. And all of the images help them to select the best embryo. I would honestly agree to it no matter what, I think the benefits outweigh the risks.

daydreamernyc · September 2014

@aliciafiggy‌ am I correct to read that if you were not in the study, you would do a 3dt? My RE only does 5dts for all the same reasons @twinkle062‌ mentioned. If your concern is potentially being in the 3 group with just a traditional 5dt, personally I would not be concerned about that at all. That's the only option with many REs.

This feels like a situation where you have nothing to lose and potentially a lot to gain. I would go for it and support the research.

aliciafiggy · September 2014

Thanks for all of your comments. I see all of your points! I'll let you know what I decide. I'm not a big risk taker but I think this could be an amazing opportunity.

@daydreamernyc~ If I didn't do the study the embryologist would decide if it should be a 3 or 5 day transfer, based on the quality of my embryos, with hopes to do a day 5. But with this study, they do not take the embryos quality into account, they just assign you which group you will fall under, randomly. But they make sure you have at least 4 embryos to continue.

The doctor doing the study seems really nice and has answered all my questions thoroughly. There is a 93% success rate that if they transfer on day 3 with a high quality "Eeva" embryo that it will turn into a blastocyst. So I think whatever option out of the three I fall under, I will be in good hands.

amyalbert · September 2014

Hi! I'm also participating in the experimental trial for the new EEVA system. My RE said it's a good tool, though he felt like it wasn't worth paying thousands OOP for. (He capped its "value" at $500 -- he's kind of blunt). But since it's free he said absolutely it was worth partaking in.

It's interesting though because the terms they have for me are different -- they basically proceed like normal (ie the RE still chooses 3-day or 5-day. They just have the EEVA info to help them).

So...just making sure...if you have less than 4 embryos on Day 3, they would not proceed with Day 5 (and make sure you transferred on Day 3, right?) That would be my main concern, especially since it's now the situation I find myself in.

Sha259 · September 2014

I would do it, less for the purpose of the trial, but for the fact that my embryos would be guaranteed to be exposed to less manipulation than in a typical IVF cycle.

Did your RE say what the practice would be if you did not participate? Normal incubator use with daily removal and grading?

I used similar technology as a part of my IVF protocol, it's standard practice at my clinic, and was very happy with our end results.

Good luck on your next cycle, whatever you decide!

Edit: spelling

aliciafiggy · September 2014

@amyalbert~ Yes, they would make sure you have at least 4 embryos before moving forward.

I think I will move forward with it. My RE endorses it for me.

daydreamernyc · September 2014

Congrats on making a decision. When would you start? Keep us posted on how it goes.

aliciafiggy · September 2014

I'll probably be starting birth control in the next few days. I'll let you know!! Thanks for all your advice.

amyalbert · September 2014

@aliciafiggy I thought you might want to know this...I had my ET done yesterday (had to be day 3 due to only having 2 fertilized eggs). It was kind of interesting because they had 2 grading systems -- one was their regular system, and the other was from the EEVA model. Who knows what will ultimately happen in my case, but it was kind of nice to have the EEVA info support their assessment that they were transferring the most promising quality embryo.

Anyways, good luck!

aliciafiggy · September 2014

@amyalbert~ that's awesome. I hope it works for you! Thanks for thinking of me

Want a personalized experience?

What would you do?

Re: What would you do?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards