How Does Gender Selection Work?

Gender reveal parties have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, but some couples are now turning to the latest technology and treatments to choose the biological sex of their baby before pregnancy. At Reproductive Fertility Center, our fertility specialists are here to assist you in creating a happy and healthy family using in vitro fertilization (IVF) and advanced genetic testing when appropriate.

There is no denying the emotion that comes with finding out the sex of your baby; in fact, parents have had gender preferences for centuries. According to a study by Gallup, there has been a consistently higher parent preference to have a male child since 1941. The study also shows that men are strong in their choice for boys, while women have more divided preferences. While every family is different, some intended parents choose to explore gender selection as part of their fertility planning.

What Is Gender Selection?

Gender selection is a technique that allows intended parents to choose their baby’s biological gender with genetic testing. This way, they can enjoy knowing the sex of their baby long before birth and, in some cases, reduce the chance of certain sex-linked genetic conditions.

Embryos are created through in vitro fertilization (IVF), and then the sex of the embryos can be evaluated with a preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). This diagnosis can examine the embryos for genetic abnormalities as well as sex to indicate if they are male or female. After testing, each embryo is identified as genetically male (XY) or female (XX), and the medical team can discuss which embryos are most suitable for transfer. Then, the healthiest embryo of the chosen sex can be placed in the mother's uterus.

How Does the Process Work?

For patients who move forward with gender selection, the steps generally follow a standard IVF cycle:

1. Ovarian stimulation: Medications are used to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs.
2. Egg retrieval and fertilization: Eggs are retrieved and fertilized with sperm in the laboratory to create embryos.
3. Embryo development and biopsy: Embryos develop in the lab; a few cells from each embryo are carefully removed for PGD testing.
4. Genetic testing and sex identification: PGD is performed to assess for certain chromosomal abnormalities and to determine the sex of each embryo.
5. Embryo selection and transfer: An embryo of the desired sex that also appears healthiest can then be selected for transfer to the uterus.

Your fertility specialist will explain the exact protocol and timing for your situation, based on your medical history and treatment goals.

Is Gender Selection Accurate?

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) has a 99 percent accuracy rate for gender selection. If conception occurs after IVF, your baby will likely be the sex of your choice. Although the sex determination is highly accurate, no treatment can guarantee pregnancy or a live birth, and outcomes depend on factors such as age, egg and sperm quality, and embryo development.

What Are the Benefits of Choosing Your Baby’s Sex?

A source of excitement for prospective parents is the ultrasound appointment where they find out if they are pregnant with a boy or girl. But now, it is common for parents to choose the sex of their baby, and this process can have many benefits.

Common Reasons for Gender Selection Include the Desire to:

• Choose the biological gender of your firstborn or only child
• Have a balance of sexes among your children (family balancing)
• Know the gender before implantation so there is ample time to prepare
• Eliminate the possibility of sex-linked diseases

People choose the gender of their baby for many reasons. Every case is unique, and our fertility specialists understand and can further explain the benefits of biological gender selection. During your consultation, your doctor can also discuss any limitations, alternatives, and whether gender selection is appropriate for your specific situation.

Interested in Gender Selection for Your Future Child?

If you are interested in learning more about gender selection and how it works, please call our office at (310) 881-8846. You can also fill out our online consultation form, and we will reach out to you to schedule your appointment at one of our Southern California offices. Our team will review your medical history, talk through your goals, and explain how gender selection may fit into an individualized treatment plan.