Future-Proof Your Family Plans
Carrier screening is revolutionizing how prospective parents approach family planning. By identifying potential genetic disorders, genetic screening reduces the risk of passing certain conditions to children. This genetic insight provides clear, actionable steps for couples looking to start a family. Parents can consider all viable options, including assisted reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilization (IVF) with preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) if high risks are detected.
Planning for healthy babies
Carrier screening is a genetic test that identifies potential genetic disorders, such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia, that parents might pass on to children. This test is vital for individuals with a family history or ethnic predisposition to specific genetic disorders. Early identification allows prospective parents to select embryos free of detectable disorders for IVF. Screening also prepares parents for the medical needs of future children.
Boosting IVF success
PGT is a genetic screening used in IVF to ensure embryos are free from genetic disorders before implantation. By analyzing cells from each embryo, PGT helps select the healthiest embryos for transfer, increasing the chance of a successful pregnancy. This method is vital for couples with genetic risks or recurrent miscarriages, although PGT does not guarantee a baby without health issues.
Decoding test results
Counselors help interpret carrier screening and PGT results, providing personalized risk assessments and explaining the implications of genetic findings. Counselors also offer emotional support and assist in navigating the ethical considerations involved. This professional guidance is pivotal for individuals facing genetic risks. Genetic counselors help individuals choose the best path forward in the family planning journey.
Identifying inherited disorders
PGT-A screens embryos for chromosomal abnormalities, such as missing or extra chromosomes, which can lead to conditions like Down syndrome. PGT-M is used when one or both parents have a known genetic mutation. This helps to identify embryos that do not carry inherited disorders like cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia. PGT-SR detects structural changes in chromosomes, such as translocations, which can cause miscarriages or congenital disabilities.
From lab to life
PGT starts with ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval, followed by fertilizing the eggs in the lab. On the fifth or sixth day, when embryos reach the blastocyst stage, a few cells are biopsied and analyzed for genetic abnormalities. Only embryos free from abnormalities are transferred to the uterus to improve the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy. Remaining viable embryos can be frozen for future use, and genetic counseling is provided based on the PGT results.
Next-level fertility
Harnessing the power of genetic testing within fertility treatments is reshaping how families are planned. Genetic screening offers a level of precision and foresight that was once unimaginable. These tools provide clarity and reassurance and guide prospective parents through the complexities of genetic inheritance with greater confidence. Fertility treatments are now more personalized and effective than ever before.
