On the horizon is the ability to determine if an embryo is carrying a genetic disease. Through preimplantation diagnosis, a single cell from an embryo can be analyzed for a given genetically transmitted disease, enabling patients at risk to avoid pregnancy with an affected fetus. Since reported pregnancy rates from established programs may vary, it is important to understand how various statistics are computed and presented. Efficacy rates depend not only on the skills of the practitioners, but on individual patient characteristics such as age, indication for IVF and number of eggs retrieved and fertilized. Reported results may include patients of all ages and indication, or they may be categorized by age and indication.
Many people see it as renewed hope for conception as well as their last resort.
While the ARTs have helped many couples overcome their infertility, they are not the answer for everyone. For those who choose the ARTs, the process can be emotionally, physically and financially draining, and carries with it a tremendous amount of anxiety. We regard emotional support and counseling as an important adjunct to treatment. We want to help patients maximize their coping skills during this stressful time, and for this reason have included a session with a counselor in the initial evaluation. This session offers couples assistance with decision making and an opportunity to explore their feelings.