Clear, thoughtful advice about PGT and IVF for any situation.
Our Process
Genetics Review
We review the history and genetic test results for every patient with a clinical geneticist who can provide specialist advice on the process of PGT and other reproductive options which may be available to you, including prenatal diagnostic testing, use of an egg, sperm or embryo donor, or accepting the chance of having a child with a genetic condition.
DNA samples are collected from the egg and sperm provider and other family members or previous pregnancies. The DNA fingerprinting process will confirm we can detect a unique pattern of DNA variations around the gene of interest or the segments of chromosomes. It will also allow us to screen for extra or missing chromosomes that may occur at the time of egg and sperm formation.
IVF
We perform an AMH level and pelvic ultrasound to help predict the response to an IVF cycle. A semen analysis is performed to ensure sperm will be present for fertilisation at the time of egg collection. We routinely provide expanded carrier screening and karyotypes for both egg and sperm provider, as well as screening for viral infections.
Once your PGT test design and fertility investigations are complete, we will arrange for you to undergo an IVF cycle. This involves approximately two weeks of self-administered injections, two or three visits to the clinic for blood tests and ultrasound scans to monitor response, and an ultrasound guided procedure performed under anaesthetic to retrieve the eggs.
PGT
Once eggs are fertilised by sperm in the laboratory (ICSI), the embryos are grown in the laboratory (cultured) until they are large enough to take a few cells from the outside layer (embryo biopsy). The embryos are frozen (vitrified) while the genetics laboratory performs PGT.
PGT provides information on the gene of interest or the chromosome regions of interest, and in all cases provides screening for extra or missing chromosomes that may have arisen in the egg or sperm. Embryos will be reported as suitable for transfer (low risk for the condition) or not suitable for transfer (high risk for the condition, or predicted to result in pregnancy loss due to an extra or missing chromosome).
Embryo Transfer
Once there are suitable embryos for transfer based on the PGT result, you can book on for an embryo transfer cycle. In this month we will monitor your hormone levels using blood tests to determine when ovulation occurs naturally. At the time that your body is expecting an embryo to arrive in the uterus, we will warm and transfer the embryo into the uterus with a very small plastic tube.
If you are pregnant following your embryo transfer, we will arrange for an ultrasound scan to be performed around 3-4 weeks after your missed period in order to show that the pregnancy is developing normally in the correct location. For anyone who has had PGT, we will discuss the recommendation for prenatal diagnostic testing to confirm the result.