“The older I get, the greater the risk of my baby having something,” she said. “It makes me wonder, ‘If I use an embryo collected at age 31, will the baby be healthier?'” she said. “The embryos were tested as well, so at least I know the basics are OK.”
Dr. Lucky Sekhon, who also works on the RMA infertility clinic in New York, noted that while preimplantation genetic testing of embryos isn’t perfect, it may well be sure that the embryos have the suitable variety of chromosomes, which reduces the chance of miscarriage.
Dr. Sekhon also believes that many couples should view IVF as a backup option, not a primary option. She says many purchasers come to her pondering that they’ve little likelihood of conceiving naturally in the event that they are literally in good health. “Most of these women can still have very healthy babies,” she said.
The exception is someone like Mrs. El-Badry Nance, who has a BRCA gene mutation. “They know there is something going on in their family,” Dr. Sekhon said, “and these are reasons to avoid getting pregnant naturally.”
Doctors agree that IVF is a numbers game and the more frozen embryos you have got to work with, the greater the prospect of success because not all of them can be thawed or implanted properly. For this reason, Dr. Sekhon believes that the majority couples, if possible, should first try to get pregnant naturally before using frozen embryos.
“It is much wiser to use embryos when you really need them,” she said. “Wouldn’t it be better to save them for a rainy day?”
But some couples disagree. As Ms. Hartley put it: “We have the knowledge to do it. Let’s use it.”
