Sex selection and family balancing
How IVF with embryo testing can help families avoid a sex-linked genetic condition or balance their family, and who is a good candidate.
Some families want a child of a particular sex. With IVF and genetic testing of embryos, that choice is possible.
Why families choose sex selection
Sex selection (sometimes called gender selection IVF) is usually chosen for one of two reasons:
- To avoid a sex-linked genetic disorder
- To have a child of a certain sex after having a child or children of the opposite sex, often called family balancing
Family balancing can appeal especially to families who plan to have only a small number of children.
Who is a good candidate
Women younger than 40 with good ovarian reserve are more likely to have a baby after sex selection. IVF success is significantly lower after 40, mainly because more eggs have chromosomal abnormalities and the ovaries respond less to stimulation. Women who produce a good number of chromosomally normal eggs are more likely to have embryos of the desired sex that can implant and lead to pregnancy.
How sex selection is done
- Ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval and fertilization follow the usual IVF process.
- The embryos are biopsied on day 3 or day 5 (the blastocyst stage).
- The cells are tested for the X and Y chromosomes.
- One or more embryos of the desired sex are transferred to the uterus.
Learn more about embryo testing in genetic screening and PGT.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Every situation is different, so talk with your doctor about yours.
