Choosing the sex of your baby

Fertility Specialist Kristin Bendikson, MD, explains whether or not it is possible for a couple to choose the sex of their baby and discusses some of the methods used to avoid a sex linked genetic disease
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Choosing the sex of your baby

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Many couples are interested in picking the sex of their next baby. There are numerous publications online, in books and magazines telling women what they need to do in order to choose the gender of their child. These range from manipulating your diet to timing intercourse, and unfortunately all of these methods have been studied and they are not found to be effective. There are some lab techniques that people have tried. The main one is sperm sorting so seperating the sperm that carries the x chromosone that would lead to a female baby to the y chromosone carrying sperm that would lead to a male. Even sperm sorting techniques are not very effective when they have been tested. There is one sperm sorting technique that is effective and that´s through one company. Unfortunately, right now it´s not available to the general population. It´s only available tothose couples are trying to select a baby of a particular gender in order to avoid a sex linked disease. So what´s available for most people? Really right now all there is is invitro fertilization, which is IVF, with a procedure called PGD. It´s implementation genetic diagnosis. So after the embryos are made with IVF, then that embryo is tested to see if it´s a male or a female. Then, the couple can choose which sex embryo they want inserted back into the uterine cavity. PGD with IVF is expensive and it is a more intensive treatment. So it´s not an option for all people.

Fertility Specialist Kristin Bendikson, MD, explains whether or not it is possible for a couple to choose the sex of their baby and discusses some of the methods used to avoid a sex linked genetic disease

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Kristin Bendikson, MD

Fertility Specialist

Dr. Kristin A. Bendikson joined USC Fertility after finishing her obstetrics and gynecology residency at Harvard Medical School and completing her subspecialty training in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the internationally renowned Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility at Cornell University Medical College. During that time, she received intensive training in ovulation induction, in vitro fertilization and fertility surgery, as well as the management of other disorders including recurrent pregnancy loss, endometriosis, and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Kristin received her undergraduate degree from UCLA and attended the prestigious New York University School of Medicine. Her extensive training and years in practice have prepared her to deal with the most difficult and challenging cases.

Kristin holds the title of Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the USC Keck School of Medicine. She is the currently the principal investigator of several research projects including the study of zygote intrafallopian tube transfer for women of advanced reproductive age, aging of the uterine endometrium and vitamin D and its role in infertility. It is her goal to provide the highest quality care for her patients and to help them fulfill their desire of having a healthy baby. In addition, she strives to guide her patients through what can be a trying and difficult journey by providing them with the support and personal attention they need.

Fertility expert, teacher, and researcher, Kristin is also a married mother of two. She resides in West Los Angeles with her family.

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