Fertility treatments
Family balancing
Family balancing, otherwise known as ‘gender selection’ allows for parents to determine whether they’ll add a baby boy or baby girl to their family
The gender of an embryo can be determined by use of pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT-A).
Treatment follows the same routine as IVF (and ICSI), the only difference being that the resulting embryos undergo a biopsy when they reach blastocyst stage. This biopsy occurs in our in-house laboratory and the embryos are then frozen.
Later, the embryo(s) of the desired gender are transferred to the patient’s womb in a subsequent frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle.
Pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT-A)
What is PGT-A?
Pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT-A) is a specialised technique that tests the embryo for chromosomal abnormalities before transfer to the womb. The primary aim is to increase the likelihood that a healthy embryo will implant and reduce the risk of miscarriage. PGT-A is also expected to reduce the incidence of foetal abnormality and birth defects related to chromosomal disorders.
How does it work?
IVF/ICSI treatment to obtain embryos
A normal embryo (of desired gender, if applicable) is transferred to the woman’s womb in a frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle.
Embryos reported as abnormal are removed from storage and allowed to perish, provided patients give their consent to do so.
Who is PGT-A for?
- Couples who wish to know the gender of their future baby
- Older women who have an increased risk of chromosomal abnormality
- Women who have experienced recurrent miscarriage or multiple IVF failure
- Couples with severe male-factor infertility
What are the risks of PGT-A?
There are no risks to the patient (other than those present for IVF in general). However, there is a risk that a patient may have fewer or no embryos available for transfer if some or all embryos are reported as abnormal.
As with any laboratory procedure, there’s a very small chance that an embryo could be damaged during the biopsy but this risk is less than 1%.
Thousands of babies have been born as a result of IVF with PGT-A with no reported increase of congenital abnormalities above the general rate for children born with the help of IVF. Although there is currently no evidence that PGT-A poses any risk to children born, there have not yet been sufficient PGT-A cases globally to absolutely rule out any detrimental effect on child development.
Gender Selection (Family Balancing) Frequently Asked Questions
Gender selection is a fertility option that may allow couples to choose the sex of an embryo as part of IVF treatment. It is typically considered for family planning or to reduce the risk of sex-linked genetic conditions.
Eggs are collected and fertilised through IVF. The resulting embryos may undergo preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), which identifies chromosomal information, including the embryo’s sex, before an embryo is selected for transfer.
PGT is a genetic test used during IVF to assess embryo chromosomes and detect genetic conditions. Sex identification can be part of the test results, but PGT is primarily used for medical and clinical decision-making.
Eligibility depends on individual circumstances, medical suitability, and local regulations. A fertility specialist can advise whether gender selection is appropriate for your situation.
When performed using PGT in a specialised fertility laboratory, embryo sex identification is highly accurate. Your clinic will explain the process and expectations in detail.
Gender selection itself does not increase the chance of pregnancy. IVF success depends on factors such as embryo quality, uterine health, age, and overall reproductive health.
Couples should consider medical advice, emotional readiness, ethical factors, and treatment requirements. Professional counselling and specialist guidance can help support informed decision-making.
