We offer gender selection through IVF with PGT-A

Our Southern California fertility clinic helps patients hoping for a boy or a girl by offering gender selection, also known as family balancing. We’re able to offer this option by using in vitro fertilization (IVF) with preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A). This combination of fertility treatments allows our patients to select the sex of the embryo they would like the doctor to transfer.

The reasons to utilize family balancing

There are two main reasons the patients at our Southern California fertility clinic sometimes decide to pursue gender selection.

Inheritable genetic conditions. If a male or a female patient is a carrier of a sex-linked disease, we might recommend family balancing. This process minimizes the risk of the child inheriting the disease, as such illnesses are passed through X or Y chromosomes.

If a patient is a carrier of this type of disease, we often refer them to a genetic counselor who can help them better understand their options.

Family balancing. Patients might also select family balancing if they would like to even out the genders in their family. For example, if the patients have a son, they might choose to transfer a female embryo.

We support patients in deciding whether this fertility service is right for their unique needs.

How the process of gender selection works

When patients decide to move forward with family balancing through IVF with PGT-A, we guide them through each step of this safe process.

Ovulation induction. To stimulate the growth of the eggs that will result in embryos, the female patient or an egg donor takes ovulation induction medications. We regularly monitor her at our Southern California fertility clinic with blood tests and ultrasounds.

Egg retrieval. When the eggs are mature, a doctor retrieves them during a simple procedure.

Fertilization. The next step of gender selection consists of an embryologist fertilizing the eggs with sperm from the woman’s partner or a sperm donor.

Biopsy. The embryologist performs a biopsy on the resulting embryos. This involves a small hole being made in the embryo, before removing a few cells. All biopsied cells come from the portion of the embryo that develops into the placenta, making this a safe process.

Testing. From there, an expert examines the retrieved cells to determine the gender of each embryo.

Results. After the doctor receives the results, he helps the patients decide which embryo to transfer.

We’ve found that family balancing often provides patients with a sense of empowerment and confidence that they’ll soon welcome a healthy baby into their family.

Contact us for more information about IVF with PGT-A.