Couples undergoing IVF treatment get an additional benefit – of being able to choose the sex of their baby through PGD. This can help the couple plan for their future family. The demand for gender selection is rising steadily because the genetic testing technology during IVF is more than 99% accurate. It helps couples avoid sex-linked genetic diseases. Another advantage is gender identification and selection can help couples to choose the sex of their baby for the purpose of family balancing.

Gender selection is an extremely useful by-product of genetic testing. The good news is that genetic testing enables identification of the sex of each embryo. PGD or Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis and testing can identify embryos with chromosomal abnormalities while they are still in culture in vitro (in the lab).

The PGD process involves testing an embryo’s chromosomal normalcy before being transferred to the uterus. Chromosomally abnormal embryos often result in a failed pregnancy and can also lead to genetically transmitted diseases in the baby.

Chromosomal abnormalities may also make an embryo too weak to survive as a fetus even if it manages to implant into a woman’s uterine lining.

The chromosomes contributed by the sperm determine an embryo’s gender.

• A sperm can carry either the X or Y chromosome
• An egg only contributes the X chromosome
• The fertilized embryo with XY makeup is male
• The fertilized embryo with XX makeup is female

The preimplantation genetic diagnosis procedure can help increase the chances of a pregnancy by a significant percentage. PGD in conjunction with IVF is highly recommended for the following too –

• Women over 37, who are undergoing IVF
• Women who have experienced two or more unsuccessful IVF cycles
• Recurrent miscarriages, that is women under 35 who have experienced two or more miscarriages
• Women who are over 35 and have experienced one miscarriage

Modern embryo biopsy techniques and genetics technology have proven to increase IVF pregnancy rates by detecting genetic and chromosomal abnormalities in embryos.

Genetic testing helps makes informed decisions because detects low quality embryos. Only high-quality and chromosomally healthy embryos are transferred to the patient’s uterus. Only high-quality embryos are cryopreserved for future.

The chance for chromosomal abnormalities in embryos increases with the woman’s age and other factors. Low quality embryos result in low pregnancy success rates, high miscarriage rates and a higher likelihood of birth defects.

PGD is performed with IVF in a controlled lab setting. Three days after fertilization of the eggs with the sperm in vitro, cells are taken from each of the developing embryos. The process is carried out by a highly skilled embryologist using a laser and a microscopic glass needle.

The genetic makeup of the cells is analyzed by the embryologist and the quality of each of the individual embryos is determined.

• Only high-quality embryos are used transferred to the woman’s uterus
• Only high-quality embryos are cryopreserved for future Frozen Embryo Transfer procedures
• Other Benefits of PGD in conjunction with IVF
  • Screening out embryos carrying a genetic disease
  • Predicting the degree of risk for a genetic disease
  • Screening out abnormalities
  • Improving birth rates of healthy babies through IVF

Whether you want to balance your family or want to ensure your baby will be a healthy baby, consult a fertility specialist right away. To learn more about IVF or gender or fertility selection for baby boy or baby girl in Australia, call Australia Gender Selection at +61 (2) 8607 8735! With state-of-the-art facilities, Australia Gender Selection doesn’t just specialize in fertility treatment solutions but in creating happy families!