Family Balancing Through Sex Selection

Family balancing is available for those with IVF frozen embryos

At Dallas IVF, we understand that many couples and individuals dream of having a family composed of an ideal number of children of specific sexes. That might be one girl and one boy, three girls or other combinations.

Through preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), family balancing by sex selection of embryos created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) is an option for those who wish to pursue this service.

Additionally, PGT can only be performed on frozen embryos. This is because the testing of the biopsy takes some time and must be done on embryos whose development is suspended in the frozen state, generally at day 4 or 5 of development. There is very little risk of damage to the embryo, though there is always some risk with such laboratory procedures. Fertility specialists test for genetic sex by looking at the X and Y chromosomes.

Whether it’s for medical, cultural or personal reasons, we are here to help all couples and individuals with IVF embryos achieve their dream of a family balanced according to the sex of the children, male or female. These are the sex options for a baby, which is why sex selection is the correct term used for family building. Gender selection has previously been used but is no longer accurate since it is now recognized that gender is a chosen identify, whereas sex is not.

Dallas IVF, pioneers in family balancing before pregnancy

We take pride in being the pioneers of sex selection for family balancing. Since October 2009, Dallas IVF has been leading the way as the first IVF laboratory in Collin County, Texas to offer this genetic service.

In 2010, we were able to report the first successful birth of a child whose sex was selected through this process. And since then, we have helped many couples welcome their bundles of joy of the desired sex into the world.

Considerations of family balancing through sex selection

At Dallas IVF, we always have a thorough discussion with the couple or individuals considering family balancing via sex selection of IVF embryos. Of course, this is only an issue when more than one frozen embryo is available.

Sometimes sex selection can be used for medical reasons. Certain diseases or conditions are sex-related. For example, hemophilia is a disease that primarily affects boys. So, if a couple or individual has hemophilia, or it is present in their family, selecting an embryo to implant of the female sex could be a good idea.

Other issues are related to ethical concerns, which can vary by culture and the individuals’ beliefs and values. Some believe that family balancing is a good idea, and some cultures have traditionally valued one sex over another.

Sometimes people bring up the prospect that sex selection might result in a population with more males than females or vice versa. We do not think these concerns are valid. In our experience and the experiences of other fertility experts, we see that the selected sex is not titled toward boys or girls, but is something of an even mix of choices by parents.

There is also the question of telling the child later in life that their sex was selected in the embryonic stage, and how that might affect them. We address all such issues with parents considering the family balancing option.

How the preimplantation genetic testing process works

• Through our advanced PGT services, our skilled embryologists carefully take a cell sample from a frozen embryo and send the sample to a genetics laboratory to determine the sex of the embryo.
• Only the embryos of the desired sex are then transferred back into the uterus for pregnancy, greatly increasing the chances of having a baby that is a boy or girl as determined in the embryonic stage.
• PGT technology goes beyond sex selection, allowing us to assess all 23 sets of chromosomes for any abnormalities, helping to ensure that the embryo(s) selected develop into a healthy baby. This is often the primary reason people choose to perform PGT on embryos.

Additional applications of sex selection

Couples and individuals who have cryopreserved embryos from previous IVF cycles can also benefit from this service. Our embryologists can biopsy and genetically test these embryos to determine the desired sex before transferring them into the uterus for pregnancy. This process has been utilized successful by our patients who might not have considered family balancing before they cryopreserved their embryos.

We are here to help you create the family you desire, which is now more possible than ever by selecting the sex of your child when possible. Let us help you achieve your dream of a balanced and healthy family.