PGS Technique helps to attain Parenthood after the age of 35

PGS Technique helps to attain Parenthood after the age of 35

In today’s fast-paced world, many women choose to delay starting their families to focus on career, education, or personal goals. However, as age increases, so does the complexity of fertility. One of the biggest challenges women face in their reproductive journey after the age of 35 is a decline in egg quality and the increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities in embryos. Fortunately, advancements in assisted reproductive technology (ART) have paved the way for many women to achieve their dream of becoming parents even in their late 30s or early 40s. One such breakthrough is Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS).

At New World Fertility Centre, we believe in providing the best fertility treatments to help couples overcome these challenges. The PGS technique has become an essential part of fertility treatment for women over 35 who are looking to increase their chances of a healthy pregnancy.

Understanding PGS (Preimplantation Genetic Screening)

Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS) is a cutting-edge technique used in conjunction with In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) to screen embryos for chromosomal abnormalities before they are implanted into the uterus. PGS is primarily designed to detect genetic conditions that could prevent a successful pregnancy or lead to miscarriages, which are more common in women over 35. These conditions include Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, and other chromosomal disorders.

The Connection Between Age and Fertility

A woman’s fertility naturally declines as she ages, with a notable decrease in fertility starting in the early 30s and becoming more pronounced after the age of 35. The main reason for this decline is the reduction in the quantity and quality of eggs produced. As a woman ages, her ovaries have fewer eggs, and the eggs that remain are more likely to have chromosomal abnormalities.

In women over 35, there is an increased risk of:

Miscarriages: The risk of miscarriage increases due to the higher likelihood of chromosomal abnormalities in eggs.

Implantation failure: Due to the decreased quality of eggs, embryos may struggle to implant properly.

Genetic disorders: The risk of genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome, increases as maternal age rises.

These challenges make conception and successful pregnancy more difficult, but the PGS technique offers a way to improve the chances of a healthy pregnancy by selecting chromosomally normal embryos for implantation.

How PGS Works

PGS is typically performed as part of an IVF cycle. Here’s an overview of how the process works:

1. Ovarian Stimulation and Egg Retrieval

The process begins with ovarian stimulation, where a woman undergoes hormone therapy to stimulate her ovaries to produce multiple eggs. These eggs are retrieved through a minor surgical procedure known as egg retrieval.

2. Fertilization

The retrieved eggs are then fertilized with sperm in the laboratory. The fertilized eggs (embryos) are monitored for a few days to observe their development.

3. Embryo Biopsy

Once the embryos have reached a certain stage of development, usually the blastocyst stage (around Day 5 or 6), a small biopsy is taken from each embryo. This involves removing a few cells from the outer layer of the embryo.

4. Genetic Testing

The biopsied cells are sent for genetic testing to screen for chromosomal abnormalities. The lab analyzes the chromosomal makeup of each embryo to determine if it is genetically normal or abnormal. Embryos with a normal chromosomal count are considered viable for implantation.

5. Embryo Transfer

After the PGS results are available, the fertility specialist selects the healthiest, genetically normal embryo for transfer into the woman’s uterus. Only one or two embryos are typically transferred to minimize the risk of multiple pregnancies.

6. Pregnancy Test

Two weeks after the embryo transfer, a blood test is conducted to check for pregnancy. If successful, an ultrasound will be performed to confirm the pregnancy and monitor fetal development.

Benefits of PGS for Women Over 35

PGS offers several advantages, especially for women over 35 who may be facing fertility challenges. These benefits include:

1. Increased Success Rates

By selecting only genetically healthy embryos for transfer, PGS increases the chances of a successful pregnancy. Since chromosomally normal embryos are more likely to implant and develop into a healthy baby, PGS helps improve the overall success rate of IVF in women over 35.

2. Reduction in Miscarriage Rates

PGS significantly reduces the risk of miscarriage by ensuring that only genetically normal embryos are implanted. Miscarriages are more common in older women due to the higher likelihood of chromosomal abnormalities, and PGS addresses this issue by screening embryos before implantation.

3. Fewer IVF Cycles

Without PGS, women over 35 may undergo multiple IVF cycles to find a viable embryo. PGS helps eliminate this trial-and-error approach by selecting the best embryos upfront, potentially reducing the number of IVF cycles needed.

4. Improved Egg Quality Assessment

Even though egg quality declines with age, PGS offers an additional layer of insight into the health of embryos created from those eggs. This is particularly helpful in cases where egg quality is questionable, as PGS can help identify embryos that have the best chance of success.

5. Prevention of Genetic Disorders

PGS can help prevent the transmission of genetic disorders to the child. This is particularly important for women who may be carriers of certain genetic conditions or those who have a family history of genetic diseases. By screening embryos before implantation, PGS allows for the selection of embryos without these abnormalities.

6. Better Emotional and Financial Outcomes

PGS offers better outcomes both emotionally and financially. Couples are more likely to have a successful pregnancy without the emotional toll of multiple failed IVF cycles. Additionally, fewer IVF cycles translate to reduced financial costs in the long term.

PGS and its Role in Empowering Women

PGS gives women over 35 a renewed sense of hope when it comes to fertility and parenthood. By improving the chances of a healthy pregnancy and reducing the risks of miscarriage and genetic disorders, PGS allows women to make informed decisions about their fertility treatment. This technique empowers women to take control of their reproductive health and increase their chances of success, giving them a better opportunity to experience the joy of parenthood, even later in life.

Why Choose New World Fertility Centre for PGS?

At New World Fertility Centre, we are committed to providing world-class fertility treatments to help women and couples achieve their dreams of becoming parents. Our expert team of fertility specialists and embryologists are highly experienced in performing PGS as part of the IVF process. We offer:

Personalized care: Every patient is unique, and we tailor our approach to suit your specific needs and health conditions.

State-of-the-art technology: We use the latest technology to ensure the highest success rates and to offer the most advanced fertility treatments.

Expertise in PGS: Our fertility specialists have extensive experience with PGS and IVF, ensuring that the process is as smooth and successful as possible.

Comprehensive support: From initial consultation to post-treatment care, our team supports you at every step of the fertility journey.

Conclusion

The PGS technique is a revolutionary advancement in fertility treatment that has helped countless women over 35 achieve parenthood. By screening embryos for chromosomal abnormalities, PGS increases the chances of a successful pregnancy, reduces the risk of miscarriage, and helps ensure that women have healthy babies. At New World Fertility Centre, we are dedicated to providing cutting-edge fertility treatments like PGS to help you achieve your dream of becoming a parent, no matter your age. If you’re considering IVF with PGS, we invite you to consult with our experts who can guide you through the process and help you take the next step toward parenthood.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is PGS (Preimplantation Genetic Screening)?

PGS is a technique used to screen embryos for chromosomal abnormalities before they are implanted into the uterus during an IVF cycle. It helps identify genetically healthy embryos, increasing the chances of a successful pregnancy and reducing the risk of miscarriage.

2. How does PGS help women over 35?

As women age, the quality of their eggs declines, leading to a higher risk of chromosomal abnormalities in embryos. PGS helps by screening embryos for these abnormalities, ensuring that only genetically healthy embryos are selected for implantation, which increases the chances of a healthy pregnancy.

3. At what age should women consider PGS?

PGS is particularly beneficial for women over the age of 35, as fertility naturally declines with age. However, women of any age undergoing IVF can opt for PGS, especially if they are concerned about genetic disorders or have had previous miscarriages.

4. How does PGS work during an IVF cycle?

PGS is performed alongside an IVF cycle. After the eggs are retrieved and fertilized, the embryos are cultured until the blastocyst stage. A few cells are biopsied from each embryo and sent for genetic testing. Only the embryos with a normal chromosomal count are selected for transfer into the uterus.

5. What genetic abnormalities can PGS detect?

PGS can detect chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome (trisomy 21), Turner syndrome (monosomy X), and other genetic disorders that could prevent a successful pregnancy or lead to miscarriage.