Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS) Can Help Ensure a Healthy Baby
Drs. Marc Kalan and Nurit Winkler can perform PGS (preimplantation genetic screening) at our Los Angeles, CA, practice to determine if the genetic makeup of your embryos is normal. This procedure can greatly improve your chance to have a genetically normal baby, know the gender, decrease the risk of miscarriage, and provide peace of mind during your pregnancy following IVF (in vitro fertilization). As board-certified fertility specialists, our doctors at Los Angeles Reproductive Center are among the best in the country. They are passionate about providing personalized care in a comfortable environment to help you and your partner successfully expand your family.
What Is PGS?
PGS, also known as preimplantation genetic testing, is a procedure performed as part of the IVF process to help your physician to identify defects, diseases, and other genetic disorders. In addition to identifying genetic abnormalities, it can also determine the baby’s gender. At Los Angeles Reproductive Center, this test provides our physicians with the ability to implant embryos that contain 46 whole chromosomes, which is the normal number of chromosomes present in a healthy newborn.
Importantly, PGS is different than PGD (preimplantation genetic diagnosis). PGD is used to identify specific genetic mutations for which a baby may specifically be at risk (such as Cystic Fibrosis or Tay Sachs). PGS tests for the appropriate number of chromosomes.
Drs. Winkler and Kalan evaluate each patient with state-of-the-art genetic screening to determine if they are at risk to pass on a specific genetic disease. In such cases, they recommend appropriate PGD testing.
The PGS Process
Preimplantation genetic screening occurs during the normal IVF process. Once the embryos are nurtured for five days in the IVF laboratory, three to five cells are gently extracted and evaluated at a specialized laboratory by skilled technicians trained in DNA analysis. The cells are carefully analyzed to confirm that they contain the full complement of chromosomes needed for normal development.
PGS can deliver invaluable insight and information about your expected newborn.
From one to seven days later, the doctor will be able to determine the gender and whether or not the embryos are suitable for uterine transfer. If the embryos are healthy, Drs. Kalan or Winkler will continue the IVF process by preparing your, or your gestational surrogate’s uterus for embryo transfer. Additional healthy embryos will remain safely cryopreserved for a future frozen embryo transfer.
Who Is a Good Candidate for PGS?
The best candidates for PGS include:
- Patients undergoing IVF who desire more information about their embryos
- Women over 35 years old
- Patients who would like to decrease the chances of a miscarriage
- Couples who have experienced several spontaneous miscarriages of unknown causes
- Couples with several cycles of IVF that have not achieved pregnancy
- Couples with a previous chromosomal abnormal pregnancy
- Couples with single gene disorders or sex-linked genetic disorders
- Patients who desire gender selection
Drs. Kalan and Winkler will make sure each patient has the opportunity to choose to undergo this advanced fertility testing to help provide a successful pregnancy. During your evaluation, your doctor will carefully explain the procedure in detail, the risks and benefits involved, and address any concerns you may have.
Benefits of PGS
PGS can deliver invaluable insight and information about your expected newborn. By selecting chromosomally normal embryos, the chance of implantation and delivery increase dramatically. Without PGS, chromosomally abnormal embryos are unlikely to implant, if implantation occurs miscarriage is likely or the child may be born with a chromosomal abnormality such as Down syndrome. Overall, benefits of PGS include:
- Gender identification
- Increased chance of implantation and conception
- Reduced miscarriage rate
- Increased chance of delivering a healthy baby
- Peace of mind throughout pregnancy
PGS Can Provide Peace of Mind
PGS can diminish many of the concerns parents face when planning to build their family. Contact our practice today to learn more about PGS and to schedule your consultation with one of our qualified specialists.
