On the journey of preparing for pregnancy, many families are faced with a common choice: Should they invest in embryonic genetic screening when they enter the advanced stage, plan to welcome the arrival of a second or third child, or even embark on the journey of test-tube fertilization?

Some people hold a negative attitude, believing that such examinations have never been carried out in the past and that the child is still healthy and healthy.

Others insist that older women are more likely to suffer from problems such as fetal arrest, fetal malformations and chromosomal abnormalities, so screening is imperative.

So, whose view is more reasonable?

Today, we abandon empty talk and do not create unnecessary anxiety. Instead, we thoroughly analyze the question of "whether genetic screening is needed" based on different groups of people, risk levels and medical indications, so that families planning for pregnancy can directly check in and find The answer that suits you.

First, let us unveil the mystery of test tube genetic screening and understand what it is testing.

The "in vitro genetic screening" that is often referred to as has an official name in the medical field-PGT embryo preimplantation genetic testing, which is the core of the third generation of in vitro baby technology.

This technology can be roughly divided into two categories 1.

PGT-A chromosome screening: It mainly checks whether the number of chromosomes in an embryo is in a normal state, aiming to solve the problems faced by elderly mothers such as fetal arrest, repeated abortion and non-implantation after transplantation.

2. PGT-M single gene screening: focuses on detecting family inherited diseases, such as thalassemia, muscular dystrophy, hemophilia and inherited metabolic diseases.

It is worth noting that genetic screening is not designed to accelerate the process of pregnancy, but is committed to increasing the probability of having a healthy baby and ensuring the stability of pregnancy.

Natural pregnancy is like opening an unknown blind box. Only after the embryo is implanted can we know whether there is any abnormality in it.

Genetic screening is like a comprehensive physical examination carried out in advance. It ensures that only healthy embryos are transplanted, thereby effectively avoiding the risk of invalid transplants and miscarriages.

Next, we focus on the specific group of elderly people who are preparing for pregnancy: for women over the age of 35, it is recommended to give priority to genetic screening.

Medically, 35 years old is clearly defined as the watershed for childbearing at an advanced age.

Once a woman crosses the threshold of 35 years old, the quality of her eggs will drop sharply, and the probability of chromosomal errors will also increase significantly-at the age of 35, the rate of abnormal embryos is about 30%-at the age of 38, this ratio has exceeded 50%-and at the age of 40, the rate of abnormal embryos is as high as 60% to 70%.

This is why many elderly women still have difficulty implanting after transplanting high-quality embryos, or suffer from fetal arrest after they finally get pregnant, and even have repeated biochemical pregnancies.

This is not that their physical condition is poor, but that the chromosomes of the embryos themselves are abnormal, which belongs to the category of natural elimination.

Therefore, we strongly recommend PGT-A screening for the elderly test tube population (35 years old and above).

For families planning to have a second or third child, we need to carefully distinguish between two situations and avoid blindly following the trend and conducting unnecessary inspections. Many mothers who have had a healthy first child often have questions: Will they still have a second or third child? Genetic screening?

1. There is no mandatory requirement for genetic screening for ordinary families with two or three children (i.e. young couples with no history of abortion or family genetic diseases).

  In view of the stable ovarian function of young women, the low risk of chromosomal abnormalities, the healthy first child, the good physical condition of both couples and no history of adverse pregnancy, natural transplantation using the first-generation IVF technology is enough, and excessive medical treatment is unnecessary.

2. For the high-risk group of second and third children, screening must be carried out. As long as any of the following conditions are met, it is recommended to arrange direct genetic screening-the age of 35 is still planning a second or third child-the occurrence of fetal arrest, biochemical pregnancy or fetal dysplasia during the second pregnancy-High risk of Down's screening or abnormal non-invasive DNA testing was found during the prenatal check-up-either spouse is older and has not been prepared for a pregnancy for many years-Successful implantation has not been successfully carried out after multiple embryo transfers.

It is important to remind that the first child is healthy does not mean that the second and third children are necessarily healthy.As we age, egg quality gradually declines, and each pregnancy comes with independent risks.

Genetic screening must be carried out for the following IVF population (mandatory medical requirements) 1.

For couples who experience repeated fetal arrest, repeated biochemical pregnancies, or habitual abortions, these failures are often not accidental, but are caused by long-term abnormalities in the embryonic chromosome.

2. Chromosomal abnormalities, balanced translocations or inversion in either spouse can easily lead to fetal arrest, fetal malformations or genetic diseases passed on to the next generation without screening.

3. Couples with a history of genetic diseases in the family, such as thalassemia, hemophilia, hereditary myopathy, metabolic diseases or mental development abnormalities.

4. Couples who have failed to transfer high-quality embryos many times can basically be determined to be embryonic genetic problems after eliminating problems with uterine cavity environment and hormone levels.

However, the following groups of people do not need to undergo genetic screening at all (do not be misled by bad institutions) 1.

Women younger than 32 years old and with good ovarian function.

2. Couples with only simple fallopian tube problems or mild abnormalities in the man's sperm.

3. Couples who have attempted IVF for the first time and have no history of adverse pregnancy.

4. Couples with no history of genetic diseases within three generations of the family.

For ordinary infertility problems, it is enough to use the first or second generation IVF technology, and there is no need to force third-generation genetic screening. Here, couples are also reminded to be wary of the routines and misguidance of certain bad institutions. The saying that "to achieve three generations of technology and achieve the goal in one go, the success rate can be said to be excellent." In fact, it requires specific analysis of specific issues. Only precise and symptomatic measures are the best policy. If you act blindly, it will not only be futile, but may also cause money and embryo resources. Double waste.

Quick Self-Test Guide: Do you need a genetic screening?

Must-do population: Elderly women over 35 years old, those who have experienced multiple miscarriages, those who have failed to transplant repeatedly, those who have a history of genetic diseases in the family, and those who have adverse conditions during the second pregnancy.

Recommended screening population: women between the ages of 32 and 35 who are preparing for pregnancy, those with gradual decline in ovarian function, and those who have been preparing for pregnancy for a long time but have not been successful.

Population without screening: young women, first-time attempts of IVF, people with no relevant risk factors, and no history of adverse pregnancy.

A letter to all second-child, third-child and elderly test-tube mothers

. The most regrettable thing on the road to childbirth is not that "too many inspections have been carried out", but that when there are potential risks, they still choose to blindly try, and ultimately not only exhausted physical strength, but also destroyed confidence. When you are young, you may be able to try it with a bit of luck. When you reach an advanced age, or when you plan to have a second or third child, you can't afford to lose such a "gamble".

The significance of genetic screening is not to pursue a flawless and perfect result, but to reduce unnecessary disappointment and harm and ensure that every transplant can play its due value. It is a respect and responsibility for future life, and it is also a care for one's own body.

May every mother who is preparing for pregnancy at an advanced age, working hard to fight for a second and third child, and persisting in test-tube babies can prepare for pregnancy in a scientific way and accurately welcome the arrival of new life. One time, and one good pregnancy!