Genetic Testing at NewLife Fertility Centre: A Path to Healthy Pregnancies

At NewLife Fertility Centre, we prioritize your fertility treatment with advanced genetic testing services. Serving individuals across Ontario, we offer a comprehensive range of assisted reproductive services, including IVF genetic testing, to help you realize your dream of starting a family. With over 11 convenient locations across Ontario, our team is dedicated to offering personalized care with the knowledge and compassion you deserve. Whether you’re navigating IVF or seeking genetic testing to ensure a healthy pregnancy, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Pre-Pregnancy Genetic Testing: Setting the Stage for Healthy Families

Pre-pregnancy genetic testing is an essential step for couples planning for pregnancy, especially if there’s a risk of passing on inherited genetic conditions. At NewLife Fertility Centre, we offer two crucial tests:

• Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS) and
• Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD).

What Is Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)?

PGD is a test performed on embryos during IVF that identifies specific genetic mutations before they are implanted. This test is especially useful for couples who are carriers of particular genetic diseases and want to ensure their child is not affected.

Benefits of PGD:

• Prevention of genetic diseases: Helps prevent the transmission of inherited conditions to your baby.
• Peace of mind: Ensures embryos are free from specific genetic disorders, increasing the chances of a healthy pregnancy.

Conditions PGD Screens For: PGD tests for over 250 genetic disorders, including:

• Cystic fibrosis
• Fragile-X syndrome
• Spinal muscular atrophy
• Huntington’s disease
• Hemophilia, and more.

What Is Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS)?

PGS is another test we perform to evaluate embryos for chromosome abnormalities before implantation. This screening helps identify potential issues like Down syndrome, ensuring that embryos with the best genetic makeup are selected for transfer.

Benefits of PGS:

• 98% accuracy rate in detecting chromosomal abnormalities.
• Improves pregnancy success rates by selecting the healthiest embryos.
• Increases the likelihood of a healthy baby by eliminating embryos with chromosome abnormalities.

Post-Pregnancy Genetic Screening: Safeguarding Your Baby’s Health

Genetic testing doesn’t end with pregnancy. We also offer Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening (NIPS), which provides an early look into your baby’s genetic health.

What Is Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening (NIPS)?

NIPS is a non-invasive test performed on a blood sample to detect chromosomal abnormalities as early as 10 weeks into pregnancy. It’s a safe and accurate way to screen for conditions like Down syndrome and other genetic disorders without risk to the baby.

Benefits of NIPS:

• Early detection of chromosomal abnormalities, allowing you to prepare for any potential health concerns.
• No risk of miscarriage, as it only requires a blood sample from the mother.
• Highly accurate in screening for common genetic conditions that could affect your baby’s health.

Combining NIPS with Carrier Screening

Adding carrier screening to your NIPS test allows for an in-depth understanding of genetic risks. Carrier screening checks if one or both parents are carriers of genetic disorders that could affect their child, even if they don’t show symptoms themselves.

Benefits:

• Helps identify genetic conditions that could impact your baby.
• Provides a comprehensive picture of potential risks to your child’s health.

FAQs About Genetic Testing at NewLife Fertility Centre

• How Can IVF Genetic Testing Prevent Miscarriages?
  Many embryos formed during IVF have chromosomal abnormalities that prevent successful implantation or result in miscarriage. Preimplantation genetic testing, like PGD and PGS, helps identify embryos with chromosomal abnormalities, reducing the risk of miscarriage and improving the chances of a successful pregnancy.

• What Is Involved During a Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis Test?
  PGD involves extracting a small sample of cells from an embryo and analyzing its genetic makeup. This allows us to identify any genetic mutations or abnormalities before transferring the embryo into the uterus, ensuring a healthy pregnancy.

• How Does Genetic Testing in IVF Help My Fertility Process?
  Genetic testing helps identify potential issues early on, enabling us to choose the healthiest embryos for implantation. This improves your chances of a successful pregnancy and reduces the risk of passing on inherited diseases to your child.

• Why Should I Choose NewLife Fertility Centre for IVF Genetic Testing?
  NewLife Fertility Centre combines cutting-edge technology with compassionate, patient-centered care. Our team of experts is dedicated to providing you with the highest level of care throughout your fertility journey, from initial consultation to successful pregnancy.

• What Is Carrier Screening?
  Carrier screening is a test that identifies whether you or your partner are carriers of genetic conditions that could affect your child. Even if you don’t have any symptoms, being a carrier can still pose a risk to your baby, so knowing this information early can help you make informed decisions.

• What Should I Know About Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening (NIPS)?
  NIPS is a safe and effective screening test that detects chromosomal abnormalities in the early stages of pregnancy. It poses no risk to the baby, as it only involves a blood test from the mother, and it provides an estimate of your baby’s risk for conditions like Down syndrome.

• Should I Consider Carrier Screening?
  Carrier screening is recommended for those who are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or at increased risk of passing on a genetic disorder. It’s especially important if you have a family history of genetic disorders or are considering egg or sperm donation.

Contact NewLife Fertility Centre Today

At NewLife Fertility Centre, we offer a full range of genetic testing options to help you achieve a healthy pregnancy and reduce the risk of passing on genetic conditions to your child. Whether you’re considering IVF or are already pregnant, our team is here to provide expert care and support.