IVF Gender Selection
We have the best technologies to bring the baby, we want to this world. Yes, we are talking about the gender selection of babies.
Did you know you can select the gender of your future baby through IVF? IVF Gender Selection is explained briefly in this article.
Why would you want to select the Gender of your Baby?
It is all about a person’s personal choice whether he or she wants to select the gender of their baby.
The common reason behind why most people want to select their baby’s gender is to balance their family. Couples prefer to have one daughter and one son.
IVF Gender Selection – Why would you want to select the Gender of your Baby
While others want to have two daughters or two sons. The choice is personal and it all depends upon the couple who are going for the IVF treatment for a baby’s gender selection.
In some countries, gender selection plays a vital role. Some families prefer to have boys only. Thankfully, we have the technology that helps us select the gender of a baby.
The IVF Gender Selection method is used by professionals to select the gender of the baby.
Let’s understand the treatment and its cost.
What is IVF Gender Selection?
IVF Selection is the process in which the couple can select the genetic gender of their baby. In this method, medical professionals test out the embryo created through IVF treatment.
The testing process of an embryo is done before its implant in the uterus of the female.
The selection of gender is only possible through IVF treatment, it can’t be possible if you are going to conceive a baby naturally.
You can’t select the gender of the child while conceiving through the natural process.
The IVF Gender Selection process is done through the PGT method i.e. Preimplantation Genetic Testing.
What is PGT?
PGT stands for Preimplantation Genetic Testing. PGT is a technique used by the specialist to identify the gender of the embryo.
This testing is done before the transfer process of the embryo to the uterus. This process is used to detect the genetic disabilities of the child.
However, the same procedure is followed by the fertility specialist to identify the gender of the child.
How does the Process work?
As noted above, the process of gender selection through PGT is done only if the couple is going for the IVF treatment.
In this process, a woman’s egg is retrieved by the fertility specialist and then fertilized with her partner’s sperm or the donor’s sperm.
This process created embryos outside the uterus. After creating the embryos from the woman’s egg and her partner’s egg, the fertility specialty would then determine the gender of the child by two different chromosomes.
The chromosomes are different for males and females. X and Y are the two chromosomes that determine the gender of the child.
While testing the embryos, the chromosomal makeup of the embryo showed up.
A fertility specialist creates multiple embryos before selecting the gender of the child. After detecting a particular or the desired gender, the selected embryo will be transferred or implanted in the female’s uterus.
The remaining healthy embryos can be stored or frozen.
The frozen embryos can be donated to those couples who can’t conceive naturally. The remaining embryos can be used by the laboratories for further studies etc.
Gender Selection is an opportunity for those who can’t conceive a baby naturally. They have to go for IVF treatment for conceiving.
Now the advantage for them here is they can ask for one more help from the fertility specialist. They can ask him to select the gender of the child.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Can we select the gender of the frozen embryos?
The selection of gender of a frozen embryo is not widely available. However, a couple of IVF centers provide this service.
Question 2: Is the Selection of Gender through PGT is 100% accurate?
As per the study report, technical tests are not 100% accurate. However, the selection of gender through PGT shows 99% accurate results. In some centers, the accuracy of PGT is 100%.
Question 3: Can we do both IVF and Gender Selection together?
Yes, you can! You can go through the gender selection process only through IVF treatment. You are not allowed to select the gender of your baby if you are conceiving it naturally.
Question 4: Do we have to pay extra for Gender Selection?
IVF treatment doesn’t include PGT for that reason, you have to pay additionally for the selection of gender i.e. for the PGT process.
However, if you have selected the IVF treatment with PGT included, you will not be asked to pay extra for the gender selection.
Question 5: How much does gender selection cost?
The gender selection cost may vary from person to person depending upon their present condition and what treatments they require for the implantation of the embryo and for the selection of the gender. The total cost of gender selection in the US is $2,000 to $5,000.
The Bottom Line
Gender Selection is an additional service included with the IVF treatment.
The process is not widely accepted; however, it is widely used in the United States for balancing the family, unlike other countries which prevent their citizens from identifying the gender of their upcoming babies.
The current scenario is worrying as more and more people are facing fertility issues. They have only one option left to become parents and i.e. IVF.
Since gender selection is an add-on to IVF, one should go for it to bring the desired child to this world.
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I am a dedicated healthcare researcher and an enthusiast specializing in medical grants, medical education and research. Through my articles, I aim to empower healthcare professionals and researchers with valuable insights and resources to navigate these critical aspects effectively.
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