CFC does not offer Family Balancing to couples looking to have their first child or to those whose families are already “balanced” in that they have equal numbers of boys and girls.
In these cases, gender can be selected by utilizing Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD), a technology that involves testing the chromosomal make-up of an embryo. PGD must be done in conjunction with IVF. Once the test results are known, only the embryo(s) of the desired gender are returned to the patient’s uterus, thereby ensuring a nearly 100% accuracy rate for gender if pregnancy is achieved.
How is Family Balancing Achieved?
The woman undergoes an IVF (in vitro fertilization) cycle in order to obtain eggs from her ovaries which are then fertilized with her husband’s sperm. The resulting embryos are tested to determine if they are chromosomally normal, and this information also determines whether each embryo is male or female.
Embryos are tested before being transferred into the woman’s uterus, therefore the gender is known prior to the start of a pregnancy. Family balancing is performed using the technology called Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD). PGD is a widely accepted method for determining genetic information on embryos, including gender. PGD must be done in the context of IVF.
What is the likelihood that a pregnancy will result from a Family Balancing cycle?
The chances of achieving a pregnancy in a particular IVF/PGD cycle vary widely depending on your reproductive history, age and several medical variables. It is important to note that even though family balancing patients often have no history of infertility, the procedure is not guaranteed to result in a pregnancy. After your consultation and diagnostic testing, your physician will discuss your specific chances for success at your follow-up consultation. You will find some general IVF success rate information please click here.
