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Dr. Lawrence Werlin Presents Findings from PGD Study To Give Media and Public Accurate Perspective Regarding PGD’s Role in Reproductive Medicine
IRVINE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jan. 30, 2004
PGD (Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis) may be getting a bum rap.
Just ask the principal investigator of the world’s first prospective, randomized PGD study, Dr. Lawrence Werlin. According to Dr. Werlin, the reputation of PGD is under close scrutiny and needs to be defended.
Published last year, the study provided groundbreaking new data about the significance of PGD as a technological breakthrough in reproductive medicine. Conducted by GENESIS Network for Reproductive Health, a team of nationally noted fertility specialists, the study’s findings garnered national acclaim.
“For the first time in the history of reproductive medicine, our study proved that PGD is indeed beneficial for women in high-risk pregnancies,” said Dr. Werlin. “Right now, PGD is being singled out for its role in sex selection. But, in order to provide accurate reporting, it is important to note that as a result of our study, conclusive factual and statistical data now exists that validates that benefits of PGD as a technological breakthrough that go far beyond sex selection.”
The GENESIS team’s study evaluated the effects of PGD on women from three high-risk categories: advanced maternal age (AMA), recurring pregnancy loss (RPL) and women suffering from two or more failed in-vitro fertilization cycles (FC). The study’s findings concluded that PGD is beneficial for women of advanced maternal age or those who are suffering from recurring pregnancy loss. A second phase of the study is near completion with findings expected to be announced soon.
The GENESIS leader is immediately available to comment about PGD’s impact on the future of reproductive medicine and society including:
Dr. Werlin, is a leading researcher and the principal investigator of GENESIS Network for Reproductive Health. The founder and medical director of Coastal Fertility Medical Center and a noted international authority on the uses and study of PGD is a media savvy authority available for media interviews.
Following the Preimplantation Genetic Screening process, which helps ensure there are normal chromosome numbers and detects possible genetic disorders, the most healthy embryo(s) are selected to be implanted into your or your chosen surrogate’s womb. 2 weeks after the transfer of the embryo, your physician will conduct a final blood test to determine the level of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in your body. Increased hCG levels usually indicate a positive pregnancy test.
For fertilization to take place, the collected egg and sperm are combined in a petri dish and cultured in an embryo incubator. This dish is closely watched to check whether any of the eggs have been fertilized. Once the egg is fertilized, it is referred to as an embryo or a blastocyst on the 5th day of development. Our in-house embryologist carefully nurtures every embryo to the right time, even if it means working outside the standard business operating hours. For instance: If an oocyte is not mature, our laboratory will wait for it to mature and then ICSI it at the right time.
The egg retrieval is a slightly invasive medical procedure that takes about 20 to 30 minutes. You will be given an anesthetic to make you sleep for the duration of the procedure. Using ultrasound technology, your doctor will harvest your eggs transvaginally with a small, hollow needle connected to an ultrasound probe. Once your eggs are collected, your partner’s semen or donor sperm you have pre-selected is used for fertilization. The sperm are washed and prepared, and the top-quality sperm extracted is used to fertilize the eggs.
Your doctor will create a customized medication schedule that contains information about the fertility medications and hormone injections you have to take. Medication and injections are taken to encourage your ovaries to mature a large number of eggs for fertilization. Since women don’t respond to fertility drugs and hormones the same way, personalized protocols are crucial to the IVF cycle success. At Coastal Fertility, we will monitor you closely, letting you understand the changes occurring in your body and keeping track of how your egg follicles are growing.
On-site consultations typicallyinclude a standard fertility evaluation, consisting of a physical examination, complementary follicular ultrasound, and testing to enable your doctor to know your present fertility status and draw up a treatment plan.
This consultation includes a detailed medical evaluation with a doctor. You and your physician will review your health records and have enough time to talk about your goals and get answers to your questions. We recommend that you jot down all your questions before the visit to allow you to make the best use of the time spent with your doctor.
Your Reproductive Endocrinologist will take all factors into consideration and create a comprehensive plan of care, otherwise known as the treatment plan. This plan will include treatment recommendations from the physician and enable your financial coordinator to make a precise quotation once you meet.
Our globally respected team of specialists are helping improve IVF technologies to enter into a generation of better outcomes for infertility. Although you’ll have a doctor guiding you, you are also going to benefit from the experience and insights of other doctors during case review collaboration meetings, which take place every week. So, you won’t just rely on the expertise of a specialist but benefit from the knowledge of many reputed fertility experts.
The infertility industry is currently segmented, with each service or treatment being handled by a different provider. Our all-inclusive model simplifies an otherwise complex and difficult process. We are here to revolutionize the infertility industry by offering a one-stop-service model to assist our patients through infertility challenges while reducing physical, emotional, and financial risks.
Coastal Fertility Medical Center is completely transparent regarding the costs of procedures and any other expenses that you may have to pay before commencing your treatment. This differentiates us from some fertility clinics that reduce prices before the signing of the contract but charge you extra later on. We make sure our patients are well aware of any possible extra pricing that may occur over the course of their treatment.
Our fertility clinic focuses on helping you build your family regardless of your sexual orientation or the gender you choose to identify with. We are even taking further steps to make LGTB people feel more welcome at our fertility clinic. Each of our patient-facing staff goes through LGTB training to let family-building clinicians provide necessary support and make you feel highly welcome.
We know that every situation is different and that everyone requires different treatments. Unlike facilities that take “a one-size-fits-all” approach for all cases, our fertility specialists use more than 40 customized protocols to raise the chances of success. The customized approach even extends to our fertility laboratory. Our on-site lab director and his highly-experienced team nurture every embryo and egg to increase the odds of success of each cycle.
Our team specializes in difficult cases and help patients who may have been considered “hopeless” at other fertility clinics. Thanks to our personalized solutions, expertise, and internal collaboration, weare able to maximize pregnancy success rates that are well above the industry average, even in difficult infertility cases.
Upon your arrival, you will check in with a Patient Care Coordinator. We will obtain your insurance information for benefits verification, a copy of your identification and take a picture for your electronic medical chart