A Detailed Account on Preimplantation Genetic Testing

In vitro fertilization involves a series of procedures that facilitate fertilization outside of the human body. This assistive reproductive technology has helped most women with infertility give birth to healthy babies. However, if you choose to proceed with this process, your doctor may recommend Newport Beach preimplantation genetic testing to examine the embryo for any genetic problems which may cause miscarriage and implantation failure. While this test is elective, it is essential to prevent abnormalities in your baby, including Down syndrome.

Who needs preimplantation genetic testing?

If you are 35 years and older, you may want to discuss with your fertility doctor about preimplantation genetic screening. This is because the chances of chromosome abnormality increase as you advance in age. However, younger women are not an exception. Your doctor may recommend this test for younger women who have experienced multiple miscarriages.

How do you prepare for preimplantation genetic testing?

It is essential to gather information about your family’s medical history before you have genetic testing. This information is necessary during a consultation for your doctor to analyze any risk that may be involved. During the discussion, raise any concerns that you may have regarding the test.

You may also want to inform your family before testing to prepare them psychologically as the test results may affect them.

How does preimplantation genetic testing work?

This test involves a biopsy of the blastocyst. A cell blastocyst develops five to six days after fertilization. Multiple cells will be removed from the blastocyst and taken to the lab for preimplantation genetic screening analysis for the biopsy. The rest of the embryo is then frozen as the biopsies are analyzed at the lab.

During the screening, your specialist will check for any abnormalities in the number of chromosomes. An embryo consists of 46 chromosomes in a normal situation, 23 from the sperm source and the other from the egg source. Any deviation from the typical 46 chromosomes reduces the chances of implantation and may result in complications of the baby’s health. An embryo is considered abnormal if it has more or fewer chromosomes.

After the biopsies have been analyzed and the genetic report is out, your doctor will recommend which embryo to transfer.

What are the benefits of preimplantation genetic testing?

Approximately 70% of miscarriages during the first trimester of pregnancy are a result of chromosomal abnormalities. With preimplantation genetic testing, you can increase your chances of a successful pregnancy. Some of the other benefits for genetic testing include:

• It saves you time and money as it reduces the number of IVF treatments you may need.
• This test facilitates high chances of a healthy pregnancy in women of all age groups.
• This test enables your specialist to transfer a single embryo. This minimizes the chances of health complications which are mainly linked with multiple pregnancies. Some of the complications associated with multiple pregnancies include preeclampsia and preterm birth.

If you have a family history of autism and are under IVF treatment, reserve a session with your specialist at OC Fertility® to consult on preimplantation genetic testing.