When families go to medical offices to get information and treatment related to IVF or in vitro fertilization, there may be confusion about the qualifications for the doctors who deal with sex selection and other embryo assessment practices. Embryo assessment, grading and selection are a big part of today’s fertility clinic operations. Here is some background on the types of individuals who are qualified to provide these kinds of treatments.
What Is Sex Selection?
In a sex selection process, the medical staff works prior to implantation to influence the gender of a fetus. This can be done by manipulating either the sperm or the embryo in two different kinds of selection. Either one has a significant chance of successfully generating the chosen result. Sex selection is also sometimes called “family balancing.” The science behind this process is not exclusive to sex selection; embryo selection is often a way to make sure the embryos that are implanted have the best chance of successful outcomes in IVF.
Doctors Who Provide Sex Selection and Other Embryo Work
The kinds of medical doctors who are qualified to provide sex selection and other embryo selection are called fertility specialists. OB-GYN doctors or even family practice doctors may refer a patient to a fertility specialist, or patients can “self-refer.” Fertility specialists are often employed by specific reproduction clinics that specialize in IVF and related services. Some kinds of specialized fertility doctors are also called reproductive endocrinologists.
Background on Fertility Specialists
Training for the average fertility specialist includes a regular residency training program for Obstetrics and Gynecology and become “board certified.” Reproductive endocrinologists will take two additional years of formal study.
In addition, the medical community provides fertility specialists with specific chances for a kind of mentored training. Fertility specialists must learn about micro-surgical procedures, develop in-depth research projects, and get first-hand training on diagnosis and treatment for fertility issues. A rigorous program of education and hands-on practice prepares these specialists for a career as a fertility expert.
Formal qualifications for board certified fertility doctors are important because in addition to the general patient safety concerns in most medicine, these counseling physicians also help patients deal with the costs and efforts involved in an IVF process. Good, competent medical opinions can save families with fertility issues years of effort and many thousands of dollars.
Asking about Sex Selection
Patients who have started to see a fertility doctor can bring up sex selection in a greater discussion of the principles of embryo selection and grading. A good fertility specialist will be able to place sex selection in its proper context and explain how it relates to the overall IVF treatment services offered at the particular clinic.
Knowing how to find the best doctors is a critical part of improving an often difficult IVF treatment process for couples who want to overcome a range of fertility challenges that are so common in today’s world. Fertility doctors are truly the source of good, practical IVF plans that have the best chances of coming to fruition.
