A couple walks in after two tough IVF cycles. Call them Ayesha and Bilal. Good quality embryos. Great stimulation response. Still no baby. Frustration is real, and hope is hanging by a thread. One acronym rises to the top in clinics across Pakistan. PGTA. Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy. The goal is simple and clear. Check embryos for the correct chromosome count before transfer. Pick the healthiest one. Stack the odds.
Here is the reality in Pakistan right now. The service exists. The science holds up under scrutiny. The logistics can feel clunky in a few places. The price sits on top of the IVF bill. The results can change the entire plan. If gender disclosure or selection is part of the plan, the report covers that within policy. Expect clarity by the end of this read. Some eye rolls at common myths. Expect a practical roadmap that helps make confident choices.
Quick Takeaway
PGTA in Pakistan screens embryos for chromosome count issues like Down syndrome and Turner syndrome. A tiny biopsy leaves the embryo safe in the lab while the genetic material goes to a partner lab. Many centers ship to Dubai. Reports often return in about four weeks. The add-on price lands near PKR 500,000 to 600,000 on top of IVF. A premium IVF cycle itself can run PKR 800,000 to 900,000. Total budget for IVF plus PGTA often reaches PKR 1.5 to 1.6 million. Results guide which embryo gets transferred and when. That is the short version. Now the complete story.
What PGTA Does
PGTA checks chromosome quantity. Not eye color. Not personality. It helps identify embryos that are euploid. Euploid means the correct number of chromosomes. Aneuploid means missing or extra chromosomes. Many early miscarriages trace back to aneuploidy. Transfer a euploid embryo and the chance of an ongoing pregnancy improves. The number of transfers needed often drops.
Who Should Consider PGTA
- Patients with recurrent implantation failure
- Patients with recurrent miscarriage
- Patients in the late 30s or early 40s
- Patients with a large embryo cohort who need smart triage
- Patients who want gender disclosure within clinic policy
People search for a baby gender test all the time. PGTA includes sex chromosome data in the report. That gives precise information at the embryo stage. This is not a living-room gender test kit. This is a laboratory workflow with strict controls and clear consent.
The PGTA Procedure in Pakistan
The steps look simple on paper. The craft lives in the details.
- IVF and embryo culture
Ovarian stimulation. Egg retrieval. ICSI in most PGTA cycles. Embryos grow to day 5 or day 6. That is the blastocyst stage. - Trophectoderm biopsy
A few cells come from the outer layer of the embryo. That layer becomes placenta. The embryo stays in the incubator. The biopsy goes into a tiny tube. Timing and technique matter. Senior embryologists spend years perfecting this move. - Cryopreservation
The embryo is frozen right after biopsy. Vitrification locks the embryo in time while the genetics lab runs analysis. - Shipping and analysis
Many clinics send the biopsy tubes to an accredited lab in Dubai. That route exists because established NGS platforms and quality controls sit there already. Results often come back in about one month. Some centers get reports a bit sooner. Turnaround depends on shipping schedules and lab load. - Report and consultation
The report lists each embryo as euploid or aneuploid. It also flags mosaic embryos where a fraction of cells look abnormal. The sex chromosomes appear on the report too. Hence the gender disclosure and selection conversation. Selection happens only after counseling and signed consent within local rules. A responsible clinic treats this as a medical decision with ethical layers. - Frozen embryo transfer
Once the report arrives the clinic plans a medicated FET cycle. The euploid embryo with the best morphology usually goes first. Lining preparation. Transfer. Progesterone support. Pregnancy test.
Inside the PGTA Panel
PGTA checks three buckets that matter for real outcomes.
- Chromosome number check
All 24 chromosomes get a count. That includes the 22 autosomes plus X and Y. A euploid call supports higher implantation rates and lower miscarriage risk. - Sex chromosomes and gender disclosure
X and Y show up in the data. Clinics can disclose gender when patients request it and when policy allows. Selection occurs at the time of transfer. The lab does not alter embryos. It arranges them based on the report. - Common aneuploidies
The report flags issues linked to well known conditions. Down syndrome due to Trisomy 21. Turner syndrome due to monosomy X. Edwards syndrome due to Trisomy 18. Patau syndrome due to Trisomy 13. PGTA cannot guarantee a baby free of every genetic condition. It does remove a big chunk of chromosomal risk at the preimplantation stage.
Extra Testing of Embryos
Sometimes the story goes beyond chromosome counting.
- PGT-M
Used when a couple carries a specific gene mutation. Thalassemia. Cystic fibrosis. Spinal muscular atrophy. The test targets that mutation in each embryo. - PGT-SR
Used for structural rearrangements. Balanced translocations or inversions in a parent. These can cause unbalanced embryos. PGT-SR checks the segments that matter.
PGTA covers quantity. PGT-M and PGT-SR cover quality at a deeper level. The lab and the clinician decide the panel based on history. That is where experience pays off.
Costs in Pakistan Right Now
This is the section most couples scroll to first. Here are the practical numbers seen at quality programs that use premium medications and modern equipment.
- IVF cost
A premium cycle can land around PKR 800,000 to 900,000. That figure assumes the best injections and advanced lab support. It may shift with medication response or add-ons like ICSI or surgical sperm retrieval. - PGTA add-on
Add around PKR 500,000 to 600,000 for the biopsy, freezing, logistics, and the genetic test. More embryos can raise the price due to per-embryo analysis. Fewer embryos can reduce it. - Total ballpark
IVF plus PGTA often reaches PKR 1,500,000 to 1,600,000. Budget planning helps. Financial transparency helps even more.
If an IVF cost breakdown is needed line by line then check the previous blog or video on our site. This page focuses on PGTA choices and expectations.
Report Timeline and Logistics
Pakistan’s fertility field keeps growing. High-end NGS capacity is still consolidating. Many centers ship biopsy tubes to Dubai. That link adds paperwork. It also adds a clock. A typical PGTA report can take about four weeks from biopsy to final call. Public holidays can stretch that. Weather can delay a flight. The embryo stays frozen in the clinic during the wait.
A clear plan makes the pause less stressful.
- Biopsy in week one of the cycle
- Shipping out within a few days
- Report by week four or five
- FET booking right after the report
People often search for a gender test kit while waiting. Good labs keep patients grounded with real timelines and real data.
Benefits Worth Considering
- Higher implantation rates per transfer
- Lower miscarriage risk linked to aneuploidy
- Fewer transfers to reach a live birth
- Clarity on gender if requested and approved
- Better use of time and money for patients with many embryos
Limits Worth Respecting
- PGTA cannot test for every disease
- Mosaic embryos can still implant yet risks vary
- Biopsy is designed to be safe yet nothing in medicine is absolute
- A euploid report does not promise a baby
- Lab quality and embryo culture quality still drive outcomes
Strong labs get strong results. Weak labs create chaos with fancy names. Choose the lab first. Choose the brand second.
PGTA Status in Pakistan
The science stands on firm ground worldwide. The workflow in Pakistan keeps maturing in a few regions. Shipping to Dubai remains common. That does not signal low quality. It signals a need to respect timing and logistics. Ask the clinic about chain-of-custody. Who ask signs the tubes. Ask how the lab validates results. Good centers answer without a script.
The Gender Selection Question
The report shows sex chromosomes. That enables gender disclosure and selection during the transfer plan when allowed by policy and law. Couples with X-linked conditions often need a specific gender to avoid passing on disease. Other couples ask for family balancing. Ethics matter. Counseling matters. Consent matters. The embryo does not get edited. It gets ranked with full transparency. Anyone looking for a baby gender test can get an accurate answer from the PGTA report at the embryo stage. That answer belongs in the medical file rather than a casual chat thread.
Who Should Strongly Consider PGTA
- Age 37 or older with multiple embryos
- Recurrent miscarriage
- Two or more failed transfers despite nice-looking embryos
- Known translocation in either partner
- Large cohort after stimulation where selection feels random
- Couples seeking gender disclosure within policy
Inside the Report
Expect a table with embryo IDs. Each row lists one embryo. Columns show chromosome status, sex chromosomes, and a final call such as euploid, aneuploid, or mosaic. Some reports grade the level of mosaicism. A good consultant turns that table into a plan. Transfer the best euploid. Keep backups in order. Decide what to do with mosaics after a frank discussion.
Safety and Lab Technique
Trophectoderm biopsy removes a few cells from the outer layer. That layer forms placenta later. Numerous studies show high safety with modern methods. The embryo is not cut apart. It is warmed successfully at very high rates in strong labs. The main risks come from poor technique or poor freezing protocols. Ask about lab accreditation. Ask about blastocyst survival rates after warming. Numbers speak louder than glossy brochures.
A Typical PGTA Case Path
Back to Ayesha and Bilal. The lab grew seven blastocysts. The team biopsied all seven. The tubes went to Dubai that week. Four weeks later the report arrived. Two euploid. Three aneuploid. Two mosaics with low level findings. The plan shifted from pretty to healthy. A medicated FET followed. Beta positive. Ongoing scan at eight weeks with a strong heartbeat. That is the kind of pivot PGTA enables.
What to Expect at Family Fertility & IVF Center Lahore
Family Fertility & IVF Center operates as more than a logo. It runs as a full-stack fertility program in Lahore. Advanced stimulation protocols. ICSI by experienced embryologists. Modern freezing. A partner network for genetic testing that meets global standards. Patients receive a written plan before any payment.
Leadership matters in fertility. “Dr. Sophia Umair Bajwa” brings deep clinical experience with a balanced view of technology. Patients value empathy paired with hard data. That mix drives decisions that feel right today and still feel right a year later. The team talks about probabilities instead of promises. The focus stays fixed on live births rather than vanity metrics.
The PGTA workflow fits neatly into that culture.
- Clear consent and counseling before biopsy
- Detailed embryology logs with photos when possible
- Secure shipment with time stamps
- Report review that normal humans understand
- Transfer strategy based on health first
- Follow-through that links back to obstetric care after a positive test
Cost Clarity At Our Center
The center already publishes IVF numbers in prior posts. Those posts unpack medications and lab items without fluff. For PGTA add PKR 500,000 to 600,000 to the IVF bill for most cases. The spread depends on embryo count and the chosen panel. A premium IVF package runs near PKR 800,000 to 900,000. A realistic total for IVF plus PGTA often sits around PKR 1,500,000 to 1,600,000. Expect a clean invoice. Expect a clear timeline.
Why You Can’t Just Go Any IVF Center
Use this quick filter to sort hype from substance.
- Ask for embryo survival rates after warming
- Ask how many PGTA cycles the lab handles per month
- Ask where the biopsy goes and why that partner lab was chosen
- Ask about mosaic policy and counseling
- Ask who performs the transfer rather than reading a brand name
- Ask for a written timeline and a written cost sheet
Many ads shout best ivf center. Ratings feel good on social media. They rarely predict lab quality. Speak to the embryology team. See the workflow. Meet the clinician. Outcomes follow process. Process follows people.
If a search points toward ivf center lahore then dig deeper. Tour the lab. Review protocols. Ask tough questions. A real family IVF center welcomes that scrutiny.
FAQs Couples Keep Asking
Does PGTA guarantee a healthy baby
No test can guarantee that. PGTA reduces chromosomal risk. Antenatal screening still stays in the plan.
Can PGTA harm the embryo
Modern trophectoderm biopsy shows high safety in experienced hands. Survival after warming stays excellent in capable labs.
How many embryos should be tested
If there are multiple blastocysts then test all. If there is only one then discuss value versus cost.
Can the report disclose gender
Yes. Sex chromosomes are part of PGTA data. Disclosure and selection follow clinic policy and legal guidance after proper counseling.
How long will the report take
Many centers quote about four weeks. That timing reflects sample shipment to Dubai and lab processing.
What if all embryos come back abnormal
That information hurts at the moment. It saves time and money later. The team can adjust stimulation strategy. Supplements and lifestyle get a reboot. Donor options can be discussed with sensitivity.
Why Family Fertility & IVF Center Keeps Getting Chosen
When it comes down to it, PGTA is worth serious thought if repeated failed transfers are part of your story or if age and miscarriage risk are adding pressure. Wanting to know the gender within clinic policy? PGTA has that covered too. Keep in mind, IVF usually runs around PKR 8 to 9 lac, with PGTA adding another 5 to 6 lac, bringing the total close to 15 to 16 lac. Expect about a month’s wait before the embryo transfer, so choose a clinic that values timing as much as treatment.
Family Fertility & IVF Center Lahore stands ready to help. The lab and clinical team handle the details patients never want to think about. The focus remains clear. One healthy baby at a time. For consults or second opinions, reach out to the team at our family IVF center. You’re welcome.