Before Baby - Week 4

Are you aware of the role genetics has to play when it comes to conceiving a healthy baby? Plus, we break down some of the genetic testing options available before pregnancy. Read on to find out more.

Quick backgrounder

A human cell contains genetic material arranged in strands, called chromosomes. A healthy cell will contain 23 pairs of chromosomes. Fertilisation combines 22 chromosomes and an X chromosome from the egg with 22 chromosomes and either an X or Y chromosome from the sperm. An embryo then has 46 chromosomes – if it’s a female, with two X chromosomes, and if it’s a male, with an X and a Y chromosome.
 
 As you can imagine, there’s a lot that needs to happen perfectly for an embryo to result in a healthy baby. In fact, up to 70 per cent of embryos – whether they’re fertilised naturally or in a laboratory – sadly don’t survive the first three months of pregnancy or aren’t successfully implanted in the uterus due to gene conditions or random chromosome variations.

The future of fertility

There’ve been some exciting developments in fertility science in recent years. Find out more about how they could help you start a family.

The world of fertility science is ever-changing, and as leaders in the field, we’ve got our fingers on the pulse of the latest developments. Having a baby isn’t always straightforward, in fact – sometimes it can feel like straight-up science-fiction, so let’s sort that from the facts. 

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence has been a rapidly growing area in recent years, and in fertility science, this technology is now helping select the most viable embryos. We have AI systems that perform comprehensive assessments of embryos to help us identify which ones have the greatest chance of developing into a healthy baby. That means we’re able to zero in on the ideal embryo, then transfer it into the woman’s uterus in IVF. Until now, an embryologist would assess an embryo’s viability based on appearance, but AI technology allows us to select with greater precision, improving patient pregnancy results.

Antioxidants

One of the most exciting projects in development is our antioxidant trial. Previous small studies have found that certain antioxidants have a positive impact on embryo development, implantation and fetal growth. We’re running a larger study to explore whether those antioxidants, added to the embryo culture conditions, improve embryo development and pregnancy outcome. If successful, the study could lead to greater results for people undergoing IVF.

EmbryoScope+

This innovative time-lapse technology carefully monitors and analyses the development of embryos. It combines an incubator, high-resolution camera and software to automatically photograph an embryo every ten minutes. Scientists can review the development of embryos at any point in time without removing them from their safe incubator environment.  It also means that the precious cargo is constantly kept at optimal temperature and pH conditions, mimicking the conditions of a natural pregnancy.

Electronic ID tracking

Known as ‘Witness’, this electronic system allocates the patient’s identity to each sample to ensure better traceability of vessels containing that patient’s eggs, embryos and sperm. This reduces the chance of error in human samples.

At Virtus Health, we have a vast network of scientists, fertility specialists, nurses, and counsellors who are dedicated to giving you the best possible chance of having a family.

If you’re concerned about your fertility and want to explore your options, contact us or click here to make an appointment.

In case you missed it last week: Week 3 of Before Baby >>>>