Gender Selection: A New Era in Family Planning with Modern Medicine
Gender selection is an IVF treatment method that allows prospective parents to determine their baby's gender. With this technique, embryos of the desired gender are selected and transferred to the mother’s uterus. This gives parents the opportunity to have a baby of their chosen gender.
How Is Gender Selection Performed?
In IVF treatment, the mother’s egg cells and the father’s sperm cells are combined in a laboratory to create embryos. A biopsy is taken from these embryos for genetic diagnosis, allowing the determination of gender.
Genetic Diagnosis Methods Used
- PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing): Cells taken from embryos are analyzed in a genetic laboratory to determine their genetic composition and gender.
- NGS (Next Generation Sequencing): Advanced sequencing technology is used to analyze embryos genetically and determine their gender.
Gender Selection with Genetic Diagnosis and Its Reliability
Non-medical methods for gender selection (such as dietary changes, Chinese calendar predictions, and popular beliefs) do not provide accurate results. However, during IVF treatment, gender can be determined with a 99.9% accuracy rate using FISH, PGT, and NGS methods through embryo biopsy.
Gender Selection and Pregnancy Success Rate
The gender selection process is performed solely to determine the gender of embryos and does not guarantee pregnancy. The success rate of pregnancy depends on various factors, including:
- Egg quantity and quality
- Embryo development and quality
- The age of the mother
- The suitability of the uterine lining
The 99.9% accuracy rate applies only to the correct identification of the embryo’s gender. However, the pregnancy success rate varies depending on individual factors.
Is Gender Selection Safe?
Genetic screening conducted during the IVF process is not only used for gender determination but also helps eliminate the risk of genetic disorders. This process is carried out safely and ethically by our expert physicians.
Gender Selection Treatment
Following examinations, tests, and evaluations, a treatment plan is prepared for the mother-to-be deemed suitable for this method. If the timing of the treatment is crucial for the couple, oral contraceptives may be used as a pre-treatment to prevent potential complications such as ovarian cysts. This ensures a smoother transition into the actual treatment phase.
Treatment typically begins on the 2nd or 3rd day of the woman’s menstrual cycle. If no issues such as asynchronous follicle development or cysts are detected during the initial examination, hormone tests such as Estradiol, LH, and Progesterone may also be performed before proceeding with the treatment. A treatment protocol is determined based on the mother-to-be's age, weight, and ovarian reserve. The most commonly used protocol is the antagonist protocol, also known as the short protocol. In this approach, hormone injections that stimulate egg growth and maturation are administered in appropriate doses. This treatment usually lasts 9-15 days and is monitored with ultrasounds every 2-3 days, along with hormonal evaluations as needed.
This treatment can also be partially managed in the patient’s home country. If desired, the process can be overseen by the patient’s own doctor or by a physician recommended by our center.
Once the eggs reach a sufficient number and size (18-20 mm), a trigger injection is administered, and egg retrieval is scheduled 34-36 hours later.
The last injection in this treatment, known as the hCG trigger shot, is crucial as its administration time significantly impacts the success of the procedure. Time zone differences between countries should also be considered when scheduling this injection. If more than 20 follicles develop in the ovaries and the E2 (estrogen) hormone level exceeds 3000, a specialized trigger injection is used to prevent a complication known as OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome). OHSS is a severe condition characterized by excessive ovarian enlargement and fluid leakage into surrounding tissues. If this condition arises, embryos are frozen, and the transfer is postponed to a later cycle.
Typically, the journey to Cyprus is scheduled for the morning after the trigger injection, meaning one day before the egg retrieval procedure.
Gender Selection Treatment Process in Cyprus
Day 0
You should arrive in Cyprus one day before the egg retrieval procedure. Our transportation team will coordinate your travel arrangements. Upon landing at Ercan Airport in Cyprus, our private transfer service will greet you and transport you to your preferred hotel in Girne or Lefkoşa. You may spend the rest of the day resting and preparing for the upcoming procedure.
During your stay in Cyprus, please note that traffic flows on the left side, and vehicles have right-hand steering wheels. It is essential to be cautious while crossing the road. Our team will provide reminders and important instructions regarding your procedure before the scheduled time.
To prevent delays or cancellations, you must fast (no food or drinks) for at least eight hours before your procedure. Generally, it is advised to stop eating and drinking after midnight.
Day 1
At the scheduled time, our private vehicle will transfer you from your hotel to our clinic. All procedures are conducted with the utmost discretion and confidentiality to ensure your privacy. Upon arrival, you will have a consultation with our doctor and undergo a medical examination.
The preparation phase includes IV fluid administration, gowning, and signing consent forms. Then, under anesthesia, the egg retrieval (Oocyte Pick Up - OPU) procedure, which lasts about 10-15 minutes, will be performed. The sperm sample from the father-to-be will be processed, and the eggs will be fertilized using the ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) method in our laboratory by expert embryologists.
Our specialized nurses will initiate the required medications for the remainder of your treatment. If your treatment includes injections, our nurses will administer them at your hotel.
Day 2
The fertilization status of the eggs and the number of resulting embryos will be assessed in the laboratory. Our embryologists will monitor their development and keep you updated.
Day 3
On the second day of embryo development, you can relax and enjoy the natural beauty of Cyprus while our experts closely monitor the embryos' growth and quality.
Day 4
On the third day of embryo development, their quality and number will be evaluated. Selected embryos will undergo PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing), where a biopsy is taken and sent to a genetic laboratory for analysis. This test screens for genetic abnormalities and determines the embryo's gender. Results are typically available by the next day or at the latest, on the transfer day. It is crucial to continue the prescribed medications during this process.
Day 5
On the fourth day of embryo development, there is no need to visit the clinic. Our nurses will inform you of your scheduled transfer time and the necessary preparations.
Day 6
Embryo Transfer Day. To maximize success rates and reduce the risk of multiple pregnancies, blastocyst-stage embryo transfer is typically performed on the fifth day. It is natural to feel excitement and anxiety on this day, but our team will support you throughout the process.
To ensure a smoother transfer, you should have a full bladder. We recommend drinking approximately one liter of water an hour before the procedure. Before the transfer, you will receive detailed information about your embryos, and embryos of the desired gender will be selected for transfer.
The transfer itself is a quick, painless procedure lasting about 10 minutes, followed by a 30-minute resting period. Afterward, our medical team will provide essential post-transfer instructions and recommendations.
If any embryos remain, they can be cryopreserved (frozen) for future use, allowing you the opportunity for another attempt at a lower cost if needed.
Day 7
With the hope of a successful procedure, it is now time for your departure. Our private transfer service will take you from your hotel to the airport, ensuring a smooth and comfortable journey home.
Post-Treatment Process After Gender Selection
The most exciting and seemingly endless waiting period begins. We often hear people say that these 12 days feel like 12 years! Just like you, we are eager and hopeful for a successful outcome. If your pregnancy test comes back positive, we recommend scheduling an ultrasound appointment 10 days later. Depending on the results, a repeat pregnancy test may sometimes be requested after two days.
If your pregnancy test result is negative, all prescribed medications will be discontinued. In some cases, your doctor may recommend repeating the test to confirm the result.