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Are We Eligible for PGT-A?

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If you’re undergoing in vitro fertilization, PGT-A is something you should seriously consider. An advanced screening technique, PGT-A, which stands for preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy, evaluates embryos created during in vitro fertilization procedures. At the California Center for Reproductive Health, we recommend the vast majority of couples going through in vitro consider the testing.

Here’s when and why we recommend PGT-A.

About PGT-A

PGT-A screens all 23 pairs of human chromosomes in an IVF-created embryo. PGT-A is sometimes referred to as PGS, or preimplantation genetic screening. Embryos must contain the correct number of chromosomes in order to be implanted in the mother’s uterus and develop into a healthy baby.

Abnormalities can happen early on in the development of the egg, sperm, or embryo and result in the incorrect number of chromosomes. The numerical abnormalities are called aneuploidies.

One of the most common reasons that IVF fails to turn into a pregnancy is abnormal chromosome numbers.

Benefits of PGT-A

PGT-A increases the likelihood of you becoming pregnant after a transfer. It greatly reduces the risk of miscarriage due to problems with the embryo.

PGT-A also means we can implant just one single embryo with confidence, instead of implanting several with the risk of causing a pregnancy with multiples. Pregnancy with multiples is complicated and puts all of the embryos at risk of not surviving, early delivery, and possible health complications.

PGT-A also reduces the time to pregnancy because we’re able to identify a normal embryo quickly and attempt implantation into your uterus as soon as the embryo is ready.

Couples who benefit the most

Just about any couple going through IVF benefits from PGT-A. Research suggests as many as 73% of embryos created through IVF are aneuploid. Aneuploidies cause failed IVF in couples of all ages. But, aneuploidies are more common in older women. Therefore, PGT-A testing is especially valuable for women who are of advanced maternal age, defined as 37 or older.

Chromosomal abnormalities are more likely to develop as the mother ages. Chromosomal abnormalities usually make it so the embryo cannot survive or is born with a genetic disorder like Down syndrome.

We also highly recommend PGT-A for couples who have had:

  • Recurrent pregnancy loss
  • Failed IVF attempts
  • A family history of chromosome problems
  • Unexplained infertility

PGT-A is also for couples who want a confident single-embryo transfer and those who want to avoid repeated cycles of frozen embryos leading to IVF failure.

The process of PGT-A

First, our fertility specialists retrieve a woman’s eggs and fertilize them in the lab with her partner’s or a donor’s sperm. Once the embryo reaches the blastocyst stage (in 5-6 days), the embryologist biopsies a few outer cells and sends them for genetic analysis.

At the California Center for Reproductive Health, our specialists assist you in all aspects of infertility and pregnancy. If you’re pursuing in vitro fertilization, call one of our offices in Encino, Valencia, Alhambra, or West Hollywood, California, to set up an appointment. Or you can reach out via this website.

See Dr. Mor’s Publications

Eliran Mor, MD

Reproductive Endocrinologist located in Encino, Santa Monica, Valencia & West Hollywood, CA
Reproductive Endocrinologist located in Encino, Valencia & West Hollywood, CA Doctor Mor received his medical degree from Tel Aviv University-Sackler School of Medicine in Israel. He completed a four-year residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. Subsequently, Dr. Mor completed a three-year fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility […]
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FAQ

What does a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist do?

Reproductive endocrinology and Infertility is a sub-specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In addition to managing medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the female reproductive tract, reproductive endocrinologist and infertility (REI) specialists undergo additional years of training to provide fertility treatments using assisted reproductive technology (ART) such as in vitro fertilization.

Reproductive endocrinologists receive board certification by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

When should I see an REI specialist?

In general, patients should consider consulting with an REI specialist after one year of trying unsuccessfully to achieve pregnancy. The chance of conceiving every month is around 20%, therefore after a full year of trying approximately 15% of couples will still not have achieved a pregnancy.

However, if a woman is over the age of 35 it would be reasonable to see a fertility specialist earlier, typically after 6 months of trying.

Other candidates to seek earlier treatment are women who have irregular menses, endometriosis, fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), women who have had 2 or more miscarriages, or problems with the fallopian tubes (prior ectopic pregnancy).

What are the reasons we are having trouble conceiving?

Approximately 1/3 of the time cause for infertility is a female factor, 1/3 of the time a male factor, and the remaining 1/3 a couples’ factor.

At CCRH, we emphasize the importance of establishing a correct diagnosis. Both partners undergo a comprehensive evaluation including a medical history and physical exam.

Furthremore, the woman’s ovarian reserve is assessed with a pelvic ultrasound and a hormonal profile. A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) will confirm fallopian tube patency and the uterine cavity is free of intracavitary lesions. A semen analysis is also obtained to evaluate for concentration, motility, and morphology of the sperm.

Additional work up is then individualized to direct the best possible treatment option for each couple.

What is IVF? What is the process like?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the process that involves fertilization of an egg outside of a woman’s body.

The process starts with fertility drugs prescribed to help stimulate egg development. In your natural cycle, your body is only able to grow one dominant egg, but with stimulation medication we can recruit multiple eggs to continue to grow. After about 8-10 days of stimulation, the eggs are surgically retrieved and then fertilized with sperm in a specialized laboratory. Fertilized eggs are then cultured under a strictly controlled environment within specialized incubators in the IVF laboratory for 3-5 days while they develop as embryos. Finally, embryos (or an embryo) are transferred into the uterine cavity for implantation.

Should I have IVF?

Before deciding if IVF is the right choice, it’s important to sit down with an REI specialist to discuss available treatment options. For some people, other methods such as fertility drugs, intrauterine insemination (IUI) may be the best first choice treatment. At CCRH, we believe each individual couple is unique and not everyone needs IVF.

Is the IVF procedure painful?

While not painful, the fertility medications may some side effects including headaches, hot flashes, mood swings, and bloating. The injection sites may also bruise.

Will IVF guarantee a baby?

Unfortunately, no. Many people think once they start IVF it’s a matter of time that they will be pregnant and have a baby. But according to national statistics per the Society of Assisted Reproduction (SART), on average 40% of assisted reproduction cycles achieve live births in women under age 35. The chances of success then continue to decrease with advancing age.

At CCRH, we employ only evidence-based interventions to ensure patient safety and optimal outcome. While we cannot guarantee a baby, we guarantee that you will receive the best, most advanced, personalized care to help you maximize your chance of a baby.

What is the success rate for IVF?

The average IVF success rate (success measured in live birth rate) using one’s own eggs begins to drop around age 35 and then rapidly after age 40. This is due to the decline in egg quantity and egg quality as a woman ages.

Our clinic’s success rate consistently beats the national average year after year.

Do insurance plans cover infertility treatment? How much does IVF cost?

Individual insurance plans often do not have any coverage for infertility treatments. If you have a group plan, you can call members services to see if they have coverage for infertility (including consultation/workup and IVF).

After your consultation with our REI specialist, one of our dedicated account managers with sit with you to go over the cost of treatment.

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