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Midwest Reproductive Center

PGS for Embryo Selection

PGS for Embryo Selection

Our Kansas fertility doctor recommends PGS for embryo selection to improve IVF outcomes

Midwest Reproductive Center offers genetic testing that identifies chromosomal abnormalities in an embryo prior to in vitro fertilization (IVF). This is called PGS for embryo selection. In addition to preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) we also may recommend preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) when we have identified a specific genetic issue to avoid in IVF transfer.

PGD is used when a couple has a known genetic disorder, such as cystic fibrosis, or becomes aware of such a disorder through preconception testing. Our Kansas fertility doctor, Dr. Dan Gehlbach, recommends PGS for couples who have a history of recurrent pregnancy loss or unsuccessful IVF cycles, or women over the age of 40 who are trying to conceive.

PGS for embryo selection finds chromosomal abnormalities, a common cause of early pregnancy loss

According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), early pregnancy loss is often caused by genetic abnormalities in the embryo. Unfortunately, this risk increases as women age, from 10 – 15% in women who are younger than age 35 and to more than 50% in women who are older than age 40.

Normal development of an embryo usually occurs when there are 46 chromosomes present. Couples are at risk of early pregnancy loss when:

  • Having too many or too few chromosomes results in a condition known as aneuploidy. For example, Down syndrome or trisomy 21 is identified through an extra chromosome 21.
  • Structural chromosome disorders, such as translocation, occur when part of a chromosome that breaks off and reattaches to another chromosome.

PGS can help our Kansas fertility doctor answer your questions

Because all women have eggs and all men have sperm that are chromosomally abnormal, PGS allows our Kansas fertility doctor to test an embryo for chromosomal abnormalities before transferring it to the uterus during an IVF cycle. As a result, PGS for embryo selection has several potential benefits including:

  • Improved IVF results and fewer repeat IVF cycles, which can decrease delays in starting or adding to your family
  • Answers to unexplained infertility or recurrent pregnancy loss and information on how to improve pregnancy outcomes
  • The ability to select and transfer embryos that are without abnormalities and most likely to produce a healthy birth
  • The opportunity to reduce the risk of multiple pregnancy (twins or triplets)

PGS begins with the in vitro fertilization process at Midwest Reproductive Center’s state-of-the-art IVF lab. Five days after egg retrieval and successful fertilization, a group of cells is removed from each high-quality embryo being considered for IVF. These cells are then sent to a reference lab for testing and the embryos are frozen to wait for the results. Based on the genetic makeup of the biopsied embryos , Dr. Gehlbach can transfer into the uterus only embryos that are free of abnormalities and contain a normal number of chromosomes.

When performed in conjunction with IVF, PGS can provide the answers you and your partner need to achieve a successful pregnancy. Contact our Kansas fertility doctor today for more information or to schedule an appointment.