Preimplantation Genetic Testing in Mississippi & Louisiana

Improve IVF Success with Preimplantation Genetic Testing

Advanced IVF genetic testing helps identify the healthiest embryos, reduce miscarriage risk, and improve your chances of a successful pregnancy and healthy baby.

Building a family through IVF involves many important decisions. Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) provides valuable information about embryos before transfer, helping patients and physicians make more informed treatment decisions.

At Positive Steps Fertility, we offer comprehensive PGT-A and PGD testing for patients throughout Mississippi and Louisiana. Our goal is to help you understand your options, improve your chances of success, and navigate fertility treatment with confidence and clarity.

What Is Preimplantation Genetic Testing?

Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) is a specialized laboratory procedure performed during an IVF cycle. Embryos created through IVF are carefully evaluated before transfer to identify chromosomal abnormalities or specific inherited genetic conditions.

Genetic abnormalities are one of the most common causes of:

Failed embryo implantation
Recurrent miscarriage
Birth defects
Genetic disorders
Unsuccessful IVF cycles

By identifying embryos with the highest likelihood of developing into a healthy pregnancy, PGT can help improve IVF outcomes while reducing the emotional and financial burden associated with repeated treatment cycles.

Types of Preimplantation Genetic Testing

There are two primary forms of genetic testing used during IVF:

Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A)

PGT-A evaluates the embryo’s chromosomes to determine whether the correct number of chromosomes are present.

A healthy embryo contains 46 chromosomes organized into 23 pairs. When an embryo has extra or missing chromosomes, a condition called aneuploidy occurs.

Chromosomal abnormalities are a leading cause of:

Miscarriage
Failed IVF cycles
Recurrent pregnancy loss
Certain birth defects
Chromosomal conditions such as Down syndrome

PGT-A allows embryologists to identify chromosomally normal embryos that may have a higher likelihood of implantation and successful pregnancy.

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)

PGD, sometimes called PGT-M, focuses on specific inherited genetic conditions.

This testing is recommended when one or both intended parents are known carriers of a genetic mutation or have a family history of an inherited disease.

PGD analyzes embryo DNA to determine whether a specific mutation has been passed to the embryo before transfer.

PGD can evaluate embryos for more than 100 inherited conditions, including:

Cystic fibrosis
Sickle cell anemia
Tay-Sachs disease
Huntington’s disease
Fragile X syndrome
Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Hemophilia A
Myotonic dystrophy
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations

This testing can significantly reduce the risk of passing certain hereditary conditions to future children.

How Does PGT Testing Work During IVF?

The PGT process occurs as part of an IVF cycle.

Step 1: IVF Fertilization

Eggs are retrieved and fertilized in the laboratory.

Step 2: Embryo Development

Embryos are cultured for approximately five to six days until they reach the blastocyst stage.

Step 3: Embryo Biopsy

A small number of cells are safely removed from the outer layer of the embryo.

Step 4: Genetic Analysis

The biopsied cells are sent to a specialized genetics laboratory for testing.

Step 5: Embryo Selection

Results help identify embryos that are chromosomally normal or free of a specific inherited genetic condition.

Step 6: Frozen Embryo Transfer

Selected embryos are transferred during a future embryo transfer cycle.

Why Is PGT-A Recommended for Some IVF Patients?

Chromosomal abnormalities increase with maternal age and are one of the most common causes of infertility and miscarriage.

Many fertility specialists recommend PGT-A for:

Women age 35 and older
Patients with recurrent pregnancy loss
Patients with unexplained infertility
Patients with previous failed IVF cycles
Couples with a history of chromosomal abnormalities
Individuals seeking elective single embryo transfer (eSET)

Because most miscarriages are caused by chromosomal abnormalities, identifying chromosomally normal embryos may reduce miscarriage risk and improve IVF efficiency.

Understanding Chromosomal Abnormalities and Fertility

Women are born with all of the eggs they will ever have. As eggs age, the likelihood of chromosomal errors increases.

These abnormalities typically occur during cell division and are not usually inherited from parents.

Common chromosomal abnormalities include:

Trisomy

An embryo has an extra chromosome.

The most recognized example is Trisomy 21, which causes Down syndrome.

Monosomy

An embryo is missing a chromosome that should be present.

These abnormalities often result in failed implantation or miscarriage.

PGT-A helps identify these issues before embryo transfer.

Benefits of Preimplantation Genetic Testing

Depending on your situation, PGT may provide several important benefits.

Improved Embryo Selection

Genetic testing helps identify embryos with the greatest potential for implantation and development.

Reduced Risk of Miscarriage

Many miscarriages result from chromosomal abnormalities that can be identified through testing.

Reduced Risk of Inherited Disease

PGD can help reduce the chance of passing certain genetic conditions to future children.

More Efficient IVF Treatment

By selecting the most viable embryos first, patients may achieve pregnancy in fewer transfer cycles.

Support for Single Embryo Transfer

PGT-A can increase confidence when transferring a single embryo, reducing the risk of multiple pregnancies.

Who Should Consider PGD Genetic Testing?

PGD may be appropriate for:

Individuals with known genetic mutations
Couples with a family history of inherited disease
Patients previously affected by genetic disorders
Carriers of recessive genetic conditions
Individuals seeking to reduce transmission of hereditary diseases

Our fertility specialists work closely with genetic counselors to determine whether PGD is appropriate for your situation.

Are There Risks Associated with PGT Testing?

Preimplantation genetic testing has been performed safely for many years.
The risk of embryo damage during biopsy is very low when performed by experienced embryology teams.

Current research indicates that children born following PGT testing have similar health outcomes to children born through standard IVF treatment.

While PGT provides valuable information, no genetic test can guarantee a healthy pregnancy or completely eliminate all potential genetic conditions.

The Positive Steps Fertility Approach to Genetic Testing

At Positive Steps Fertility, we believe fertility care should be both advanced and understandable.

Our team helps patients throughout Mississippi and Louisiana navigate the medical, emotional, financial, and ethical considerations surrounding IVF genetic testing. We provide individualized recommendations based on your fertility history, family goals, and personal values.

As with all fertility treatment decisions, our focus is on transparency, education, and helping you make informed choices with confidence.

Whether you are concerned about miscarriage risk, inherited disease, or improving IVF success rates, our team is here to guide you through every positive step of the process.