Genetic Testing
Ensuring Healthy Beginnings
We understand the significance of starting a family and the importance of ensuring a healthy beginning. Genetic testing plays a crucial role in providing you with the knowledge and options necessary to achieve a successful pregnancy. We offer a comprehensive range of genetic testing services, and our team is dedicated to guiding you through this important aspect of your fertility journey.
Understanding Your Testing Options
There are multiple testing options for intended parents to consider. Genetic testing, such as carrier screening or preimplantation genetic testing, provides valuable insights into your genetic makeup and its potential impact on your future family. Carrier screening examines prospective parents to determine if they carry a genetic disorder, while PGT-A is conducted to identify chromosomal abnormalities in embryos before they are implanted.
Ensure the healthiest start for your family by exploring our genetic testing options. Schedule a consultation with Pinnacle Fertility today to discuss how genetic testing can support your fertility journey.
Carrier Screening
Carrier screening checks if a person carries a genetic variation related to a specific disease. Carriers have one normal and one variant gene for that disease, inherited from each parent. This test is usually done when someone doesn't show any disease symptoms but could pass it on to their child if their partner also carries a harmful gene for the same disease.
- Carrier screening assesses the risk of passing on inherited genetic disorders to your child.
- We recommend routine pre-conception carrier screening for our patients as part of our comprehensive pre-conception counseling.
- Testing involves a blood test, typically for females, and if necessary, for their male partners.
- If a genetic disease is identified, couples can explore options such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) with preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders (PGT-M) to reduce the risk of passing the disease to their offspring.
- Couples who opt not to undergo carrier screening will be asked to sign a form declining testing.
Genetic Carrier Screening Tests
Our genetic screening tests identify various types of gene mutations, including those:
- Common in certain ethnic groups.
- Associated with recessive mutations.
- With a likelihood of causing serious diseases in offspring.
These mutations may not show symptoms in carriers, making screening vital.
What do The results mean?
- Positive: A positive result means you are a carrier of one or more of the tested disorders. While it typically doesn't affect your health, it increases the risk of having a child with that disorder. Further testing for your partner is usually recommended.
- Negative: A negative result indicates no disease-causing variants were found. This reduces the chance of having a child with the tested disorders, but there's still a small residual risk.
What is Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT)?
Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) is a test done on embryos before they are placed in the uterus during in vitro fertilization (IVF). It helps identify any genetic issues or abnormalities in the embryos, ensuring healthier pregnancies and reducing the risk of passing on genetic diseases to the baby.
When is PGT Used?
- PGT is employed when chromosome abnormalities are associated with implantation failure, pregnancy loss, or birth defects.
- It helps select the healthiest embryos for transfer, increasing the chances of a successful pregnancy.
There are four distinct types of PGT procedures
- PGT-A (formerly known as PGS): Screens for aneuploidy, offering a general assessment.
- PGT-M for Monogenic disorders: Searches for specific disorders carried by you and your partner.
- PGT-HLA for matching: Aims to find an HLA match for an affected child you may already have.
- PGT-SR (formerly translocations): Designed for cases where you or your partner have chromosomal translocations. This test identifies embryos with balanced translocations, which are compatible with life.
Real Stories, Real Success: Our Patients Speak
We can't thank you all enough for making our IVF journey such a positive experience. Your team's expertise and warmth meant the world to us. You made our dreams come true, and we're forever thankful.
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THEY ARE AMAZING!!! I absolutely love this clinic and everyone who works here! Being a lesbian couple, we were nervous trying to find a fertility clinic for us.. they made us feel so comfortable right away! They are so caring and sweet! I definitely recommend this place!! && Dr. Z is the man!! Nicest doctor I have ever met! I would give them a 100 stars if I could!
Thanks to Dr. Dudley, we achieved a successful pregnancy, a dream that once seemed unattainable. His expertise and empathy made him not just a doctor but a beacon of hope in our most challenging times. We are profoundly grateful to Dr. Dudley and highly recommend him to any couple facing fertility issues!
We've worked with RGI twice now, and have had an excellent experience both times. Dr. Maseelall and her team have been amazing to work with. This time around, we were introduced to the "navigators" who essentially act as a liaison between us and the doctors, which was a change from the last time we were there. We found having access to a dedicated resource - even by text message - was a huge plus.
I highly recommend Dr. Dudley! He is one of the only doctors who explained things clearly, realistically, and positively. His bedside manner is outstanding. A defining moment (without disclosing my medical history) was when I explained something to him and he responded with "I believe in a women's intuition." He believed me, ran a quick test, and pivoted the plan. I can't recommend him enough.
My husband I went to Dominion after struggling with some fertility issues and multiple miscarriages. We couldn't have made a better choice! You can tell that the staff really care about their patients and make you feel at ease. At the beginning of the process, we were feeling a bit overwhelmed, but the doctors were understanding and great at explaining each step to us along the way. We now have a healthy baby boy and we could not be more happy and grateful to Dominion Fertility!!
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