More and more American women are exploring IVF treatments in their late 30s and in their 40s. This trend often stems from the choice to pursue their career dreams before starting a family. While this delay is completely understandable, it presents challenges, as success rates decline rapidly and progressively as women reach their late 30s and advance into their 40s.
As women age beyond 35, there’s a natural increase in chromosomal abnormalities in their eggs. This can make it challenging for embryos to develop healthily. Additionally, the ovarian egg supply decreases (i.e., diminishing ovarian reserve or DOR) as women get older, profoundly affecting the number of viable embryos available for IVF.
But here’s the exciting part: advancements in science and technology are lighting the way for a brighter future that holds promise. We’re on the brink of remarkable breakthroughs that could change the game. They could potentially pause the biological clock, allowing for family planning that aligns with their goals.
Imagine a world where we can navigate these obstacles, helping women have the family they’ve always dreamed of, even if they choose to wait a bit longer. That’s the future we’re working towards—a future full of hope, possibility, and fulfilling dreams.
Introducing “Embryo Banking or Stockpiling”
Let’s dive into an exciting concept of “Embryo Banking or Stockpiling”! This holds immense potential, especially given the inevitability that advancing age will ultimately profoundly compromise reproductive potential. It offers the potential to defy the ticking “biological clock.”
Picture this: a method that lets you freeze and store embryos for future use, giving you more control over when to start a family. How does it work? Through IVF, eggs are retrieved and fertilized, embryos are propagated and those that reach the advanced stage of development (blastocysts) are biopsied and ultra rapidly frozen using an advanced method known as “vitrification”’ which allows them to be banked or stored indefinitely with minimal risk to their viability.
What’s thrilling is that this technology wasn’t available 20 years ago. In addition, advanced genetic testing like next-generation gene sequencing (NGS) now enables us to identify the healthiest embryos along, determine their gender and then selectively vitrify and bank them for future use. And guess what? Thawing and transferring these embryos in the future is virtually as successful in propagating healthy pregnancies as using fresh ones.
This innovation is like hitting pause on the “biological clock,” allowing for a more flexible and promising family planning journey. It’s a game-changer, especially for those dreaming of having children while using their own eggs. The future looks bright and full of possibilities with these incredible breakthroughs!
Selecting the Best Embryos for Embryo Banking
Let’s explore an empowering aspect of embryo banking: You have options! Preimplantation genetic screening (PGS)/preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) which enables testing for the embryo’s chromosomal integrity is a valuable tool that helps us pick the most promising embryos.
Imagine having the ability to choose the embryos that stand the best chance, boosting the possibility of a successful pregnancy and at the same time identifying their gender. PGS/PGT-A isn’t about making the embryos better; it’s about selecting the strongest contenders for transfer, greatly increasing the chance of a healthy baby with each attempt.
It’s vital to understand that as women age, chromosomal abnormalities in eggs and embryos become more common, making it crucial to identify the most “competent” ones. By doing so, we not only heighten the chances of IVF success, but we also reduce the risks of miscarriages and certain birth defects.
In our quest to improve IVF, we were pioneers in introducing PGS/PGT-A into the field. Starting with one method, we finally embraced a better technique called next generation gene sequencing (NGS), advancing our ability to select the best embryos. Success stories have poured in since, and this approach is now widely accepted in the world of IVF.
Today, we proudly offer selective embryo banking, giving more and more older women and those with DOR hope for a brighter family future. The path to achieving your family dreams is now clearer and more promising than ever!
Ready to take control of your fertility journey and explore the possibilities of Embryo Banking and IVF advancements? Don’t wait any longer! Book your consultation with Sher Fertility Solutions today, and secure your IVF success.