CHOOSING THE SEX OF YOUR BABY !!!
Welcome to one of the most popular sites on the entire Internet for couples seeking information concerning the evolving scientific ability to "pre-select" the gender of a pregnancy.
The selection of gender has been a quest of couples for as far back as recorded history allows. Early drawings from prehistoric times suggest that sex selection efforts were being investigated by our earliest ancestors. Later history shows intense interest in sex selection by early Asian (Chinese), Egytptian and Greek cultures. This is followed by documented scientific efforts begining in the 1600's to sway the chances of achieving a pregnancy by a variety of methods. Research and work carried out in the1980's and 90's have finally provided methods providing reasonable chances of obtaining a desired pregnancy gender outcome.
It has been known for many years that the gender of a pregnancy is determined by the sex chromosome carried by the sperm. Sperm bearing an "X" chromosome, when united with the "X" from the female (females only produce "X") will result in an "XX" pregnancy that produces a female. If a sperm bearing a "Y" chromosome (men have both "X" and "Y" bearing sperm) unites with the "X" chromosome from the female, an "XY" pregnany will result that gives rise to a male offspring.
Armed with this knowledge, science has worked to allow for an accurate method of safely separating sperm to allow only those sperm capable of producing the desired gender to be exposed to the female egg (oocyte). While a variety of methods have been reported and studied, in reality, very few of these methods have withstood scientific scrutiny that "checks" the validity of claims made by those employing the procedure.
The Fertility Institutes have been performing gender selection procedures that are constantly checked and double checked employing the services of a Board Certified geneticist. In this manner, we maintain the upper hand in assisting couples achieve their desired outcome.
Imagine the following scenario, which is taken from our clinical files: Mr. & Mrs. Jones (names are fictitious) present to our offices with a request for gender selection. The couple reports having successfully conceived and delivered three healthy females. The last birth was three years ago. Mr. Jones has a strong family history of girls being born, with his only brother having produced two girls, and three cousins also having had a total of seven female and one male offspring. Mr. Jones underwent genetic analysis of the "sex ratio" (percentage of "X" and "Y" sperm) of his total sperm production. This very important study is carried out by a Certified cytogeneticist. His ejaculate was found to contain only 28% of the viable sperm seen carrying a "Y" (male producing) chromosome. His total sperm count was 42 million per ml. So, of the 42 million sperm, only 28% had the correct sex chromosome needed to produce a male. After separating his sperm for the desired gender, we would be lefty with a sperm count of only 12 million. This would not be enough to allow for a reasonable chance of the couple conceiving at all. Advised of the situation concerning their sperm sex ratio, the couple wisely decided to forego their efforts and "take their chances" on their own. While we exist to provide high quality medical services, we very strictly adhere to guidelines that have a history of providing excellent outcome results. While we cannot "guarantee" a desired outcome to anyone, couples in our program can feel comfortable that if they are accepted into the tretament course, they do have an excellent chance of achieving the desired outcome. Consider the following scenario:
Couple # 2 presents with a history of having produced three boys over the past seven years. With very few female offspring in either of their families, they are interested in sex selection aimed at the production of a female. Total sperm count on the male was 88 million per ml. Sex ratio demonstrated 41% of his sperm to be "X" (female) producing. After our sperm separation, we obtained 34 million sex selected sperm per ml and the couple conceived a female pregnancy on their second attempt.
Sex selection is a widely practiced procedure in the United States and world wide. Our Center's experience with sex selection as well as a thorough review of the literature allows us to offer the following information and answers to questions:
1. Has sex selection produced a reasonable number of successes?
YES! While success rates vary between programs, most programs employing standard sperm separation procedures report success rates in the 80-85 percent range. Our program reports an 84-88% chance of achieving the desired gender outcome in most instances.
2. Are fertility drugs used in sex selection procedures?
No. Sex selection being carried out on normally fertile couples who have already produced one or more offspring do not normally require fertility drugs. Our sex selection procedures are offered, however, to couples needing and undertaking fertility treatment as well. In these cases, the drugs normally used for these fertility procedures are combined with the sex selection procedure.
3. How many babies have been born as a result of sex selection?
Thousands of healthy babies have been born following sex selection procedures.
4. Is there an increased risk of a birth defect after the sex selection procedure?
No. Many studies have been carried out on artificial insemination procedures. These studies, looking at fresh, frozen, washed and isolated sperm show no increase in the occurence of birth defects when compared to natural conception.
5. How is the sex selection procedure carried out?
Using an ovulation predictor kit, patients with regular menstrual cycles are instructed to call our office when their test kit indicates ovulation is about to occur. A semen sample is produced for the visit and the sperm are separated in preparation for an artificial insemination. After a successful separation has been performed, a gentle artificial insemination procedure is carried out by placing the sex selected sperm into the body of the uterus, next to the fallopian tubes. This procedure is generally painless, and lasts just a few short moments. In some instances, a second insemination may be carried out the following day. Two weeks later, arrangements for a pregnancy test can be made.
6. Can frozen sperm be used for sex selection?
Yes. Frozen sperm are subject to the same evaluation studies as fresh sperm to determine suitability for separation. If found to qualify, these sperm may be used for selection.
7. Can sex selection be performed with In Vitro Fertilization?
Yes. We routinely offer sex selection options to couples undergoing In Vitro Fertilization for non male factor infertility reasons.
(Question and Answer section being upgraded: Under construction 01/14/06)
Check back SOON !!!