Gender Selection with ICSI

Hi all,
Just wondering if any one had any wisdom on the subject of wether gender selection is possible/legal through ICSI?
Please dont reply with negative comments on moral issues, Just wondering if its possible and or leagl.
Thanks for you help!!

Gender selection is not possible with ICSI......you would need to do PGD as well which is another $3500 - $4000 out of pocket. also it is not legal here in Australia to select for gender.....the only exceptions to this are if you are trying to avoid a sex linked genetic serious illness like haemophilia etc. To select just because you want a girl or a boy is not legal here in this counry at this stage. Hope that helps

Hi,

The following comes from the Sydney IVF website and may be helpful:

Sydney IVF has previously offered sex selection treatment, using a technique called pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, or PGD, provided couples understood that there would be no subsidy from Medicare for the treatment involved.

We suspended our sex selection program in February 2005 following the release of an opposing clinical practice guideline (based on moral reasons) by the Australian Health Ethics Committee.

While we are no longer able to provide sex selection for family balancing reasons, sex selection is still available through Sydney IVF for medical reasons (for example, to prevent the transmission of a sex-linked genetic disease) and this form of treatment is usually covered by Medicare.

IVF with PGD and selection of embryos according to sex for family balancing, however, is therefore presently suspended "pending further community discussion".

Should you wish to contact the NHMRC and their AHEC (Australian Health Ethics Committee) division to encourage such community discussion, their website is: National Health and Medical Research Council - NHMRC and the contact phone number is 02 6289 9575.
Where can I go?

Meanwhile, we are frequently asked where IVF for sex selection is available outside of Australia. Geographically the clinic that is closest to Australia and which we can recommend is Superior ART in Bangkok, Thailand, a clinic with which we have an ongoing relationship enabling them to provide high quality embryo culture, blastocyst biopsy and preimplantation genetic diagnosis.

Sydney IVF cannot take responsibility for your decision to pursue such treatment, which carries physical and psychological hazards that might not be explained to you to the standard of informed consent we might expect at a clinic fully under our control in Australia.

Thank you so much for that information. I honestly had no idea. My DH and i start IVF next month and i was asked by a friend if i was going to ask for a boy or girl, my response was "i dont think thats even possible!"
The blessing of a healthy baby any sex for us would be a mircle anyway!!
Thanks again!!

Good luck with the IVF sweetie but it is not possible unless there is some need. I do know that the Clinic knew what they put back in me 2 embies this time but they could not tell me even if they wanted too. I also know that these were the strongest 2 embies. I would like to think it was one of each and the universe decided which one took for me.

thanks tiggerlinda, i always love hearing about positive ivf experiences!!!
We are also hoping to get 2 embies put in, was it difficult for you to get permission for them to be put in?

a lot of it will depend on your age and history - we weren't able to put two embryo's back until we'd had X number of failed cycles/early miscarriages. they look at maternal age and history - if you're under 30, with no long term history of failed assisted conception cycles (i think at my clinic it is four attempts) or multiple failed pregnancies, they are very reluctant to put two embryo's back. i was only given the option after 3 early miscarriages, 3 IUI's and one failed IVF fresh transfer. before that, it had been an attitude of "not a chance".

and you're right - a healthy baby is so much more important than the gender!

a lot of this will depend on the clinic. I know with mine, since I was over 37 that they did the extra screenings and would put 2 embys in.

Hi Krissy,

Just wanted to wish you much success with your IVF journey. I will be on the same path hopefully in June 2009. :crossfingers: for all of us !!

Punkin, it's interesting what you say about how many embies they put back. My doctor said from the beginning ( I did my first IVF cycly in May this year ) that he was going to put only one embie in at a time, since I was older and because a multiple pregnancy carries more risks. I would love for 2 embies to be put in, I might raise it with him again....All the best on your journey hun.

Beata xx

I'm no longer on the IVF journey - am now single & don't need it (was due to xDh having snip).

Good luck to everybody going down this path in 2009 & may you get the :bfp: you all wish for.

It will depend on the the clinic sweet we had been trying IVF for 2.5 years and my specailist spoke to me about all the risks of twins and possibly triplets etc if the egg split. Do the research. My OB is dead against it he says it increases the chances of problems and sometimes loss

Hi all,
Thanks for your well wishes!! Im trying to stay very positive, i never thoutght ild ever be so excited to go and see an IVF specialist!! I was told at 16 ild inherited my mothers genes (she went through menopause at 30) and to freeze my eggs as i will stop O by 25(i never did as i met my hubby at 17 and we decided we would start trying for a family soon after we were married), at im now almost 24 and have O 4 times in the last 2 years (and that was on Clomid!!!), unfortunatly it doesnt end there as due to DH's epilepsy meds his little swimmers just dont swim straight anymore!!!! His "issue" will only get worse over time, but we hope icsi will help expand our family.
thanks again for your kind words.

Krissy - sorry darl i have no advice for you but i just wanted to wish you all the best and i hope you get your much longed for BFP soon. :hug: