PGT Specialist

Rocky Mountain Fertility Center

Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility Specialist located in Parker, CO

If you struggle with infertility or have a personal or family history of genetic disorders, reproductive endocrinology and fertility specialist Deborah Smith, MD, at Rocky Mountain Fertility Center in Parker, Colorado, and Rapid City, South Dakota, is here for you. Dr. Smith uses preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) to identify genetic problems and chromosomal abnormalities in embryos prior to in vitro fertilization (IVF) implantation to increase the likelihood of a normal pregnancy. Call to learn more about PGT or book an appointment online today.

303-999-3877

PGT Q & A

What is PGT?

Chromosomal abnormalities are common, affecting about 60% of embryos in women under 35 and 80% of embryos in women over 41.

Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), previously known as PGD/PGS, is a genetic test that identifies defects in embryos produced during in vitro fertilization (IVF). It detects genetic diseases and chromosomal abnormalities that can affect a developing baby.

IVF is a series of infertility treatments in which your provider retrieves eggs, fertilizes them with sperm in a lab, and implants fertilized eggs into a woman’s uterus. PGT occurs before implantation.

What are the benefits of PGT?

There are numerous benefits of using PGT prior to IVF implantation. Examples include a lower risk of:

Children born with genetic diseases
Kids born with chromosomal abnormalities
Miscarriages in women

Not all couples who benefit from PGT struggle with infertility. If you’ve had a child with significant health problems due to a genetic disorder, preimplantation genetic testing helps lower your risk of having another child with the same disease.

Is PGT right for me?

The specialists at Rocky Mountain Fertility Center might recommend PGT for you and your partner if you:

Are 35 or older and at risk of having a child with chromosomal abnormalities
Have had recurrent miscarriages
Have a child with a chromosomal abnormality
Are concerned about having a baby with a chromosomal abnormality
Have had unsuccessful IVF cycles despite good quality embryos
You or your partner have a known chromosomal defect
Are at risk of having a child with a genetic disease

Your provider lets you know if PGT is right for you after reviewing your personal and family health history, doing a pelvic exam when necessary, and completing blood or imaging diagnostic tests.

What happens during the procedure?

Preimplantation genetic testing is often used with IVF. Your fertility specialist retrieves multiple mature eggs, fertilizes them with sperm, and lets them develop in a lab. During day 5, 6, or 7, your fertility doctor takes a biopsy of the embryos for analysis.

They test the sample for abnormalities, which might take about a week. In the meantime, your doctor freezes the embryos until the results of the PGT come back.

They implant the healthy embryos, free from genetic problems, into your uterus to boost your chance of having a healthy baby and pregnancy.

If you’d like to pursue in vitro fertilization with PGT for peace of mind, call the fertility experts at Rocky Mountain Fertility Center today or use the online booking tool.