Gender Selection
via IVF.
Gender Selection
Gender selection, also known as sex selection is a medical process used by prospective parents who want to choose the sex of their offspring. This type of genetic testing, originally designed to test for inherited diseases, has recently become very popular for couples wanting to choose the sex of their children.
Gender Selection via IVF
Gender selection, also known as sex selection is a medical process used by prospective parents who want to choose the sex of their offspring. This type of genetic testing, originally designed to test for inherited diseases, has recently become very popular for couples wanting to choose the sex of their children.
Gender selection is performed via the genetic testing of embryos and their chromosomal cells, and implantation of the desired embryo into the mother.
Currently gender selection is only possible via the IVF process. However a frozen embryo transfer is a lot simpler than the standard first phase of IVF and guarantees the most accuracy. At Genderchoice.co.uk we offer gender or sex selection through IVF and pre-implantation genetic testing.
Gender selection with IVF and embryonic genetic testing (preimplantation genetic testing), is the most advanced method of sex selection with practically 99.9% accuracy.
How does Gender Selection Work?
Gender selection uses the same methods as anyone undergoing IVF treatment. Whereby a female's eggs are retrieved and fertilised using their partners, or donor sperm to create viable embryos.
So even if you're not using IVF for fertility issues, it can still be used to choose the child's sex.
All fertilized eggs/ embryos will inherit chromosomes (X & Y) from the parents / donors. It is these chromosomes that determine the sex of the baby, which make sex selection possible. By testing the cells in the embryos, they can determine the gender of the embryo and transfer the embryo with the chosen sex into the uterus.
When transferring the embryo, it's important that the uterus is in optimum condition. This will ensure a successful implantation into the endometrial lining. Therefore it is advised that women take estrogen and progesterone, for a time period prior to the transferal.
Once the embryo has been chosen, for its desired sex, it is thawed out. Once thawed it is implanted in the uterus through a medical grade transfer catheter.
What is Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT)?
This is the process where fertility specialists identify the sex of embryos before implantation. A small number of cells are removed from the embryo several days after fertilisation.
These cells then undergo chromosomal analysis in a lab. As the embryonic testing can take a few days, the embryos are then frozen until the parents make a decision which embryo they would like to do the transfer with. This process guarantees to choose the child's sex with 99.9% accuracy.
Primarily used in the past, this type of genetic testing was used to determine any health conditions or genetic abnormalities that could be detrimental to mother and baby.
However this PGT method also allows our specialists to determine the sex of each embryo.
Why Sex Selection?
There are many reasons people might want to choose sex selection.
Genetic Disease Prevention
Sex selection can be very beneficial to prevent sex linked genetic diseases Eg. ms, hemophilia and fragile x.
By choosing the unaffected embryos these diseases can be prevented from being passed down to their children.
Family Balancing
Perhaps you have 4 boys and long for a girl, or maybe you just know you want a girl.
Sex selection can make this happen for you.
Personal reasons
Various personal reasons can come into play when deciding on sex selection.
We do not discriminate against people's personal choices and their reasoning for wanting sex selection, however we do like to discuss all ethical considerations with our patients.
Ethical Considerations
We only ever offer our services to patients after lengthy and thorough discussions about ethical concerns and considerations.
There are various reasons why people might choose sex selection, some of which come with ethical considerations. For instance doing it for cultural or personal reasons could have various ethical implications.
We will alwaysdiscuss these issues in depth with our patients, and offer counseling if and when needed.
Improving egg and sperm Quality
Eggs and sperm quality is greatly affected by our lifestyles and health. Several of the following have been proved to reduce sperm and egg quality.
Smoking
Not only is smoking bad news for a man's sperm quality. It can also affect a woman's AMH value. It can also reduce fertilisation and fetal development which lead to less successful pregnancies.
Alcohol
Alcohol can affect sperm function, so a lifestyle modification might be needed for better sperm function.
Diet
A good varied diet, including lots of antioxidant rich foods can be incredibly beneficial to eggs and sperm. Try and avoid foods that contain trans fats like margarine and hydrogenated oils.
Vitamins & Supplements
Before getting pregnant it is advised women take folic acid, and for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Folic acid greatly reduces risk of developmental abnormalities.
Weight
Alcohol can affect sperm function, so a lifestyle modification might be needed for better sperm function. Your BMI will need to be within a certain range for you to qualify for treatment.
Excessive body weight can create hormonal disturbances which reduce the chance of egg production and quality. Being overweight also leads to higher miscarriage rates, and more increased risk to the mother during pregnancy e.g. deep vein thrombosis, high blood pressure. It can also lead to risks to the fetus such as heart and bone problems.
Men with a high BMI have been shown to have lower sperm counts than someone of a healthier weight.
Approved vaccines & Medications
during IVF:
Flu vaccine
Hepatitis vaccine
Chicken pox immunoglobulin
TB test
Tetanus injection
Allergy shots
Novocaine (for dental treatment)
Cold medicines
Benadryl hydrocortisone cream
Amoxicillin, erythromycin, ampicillin.
The following are not approved:
Aspirin
Echinacea
St John’s Wort
Ginko Biloba