Every woman or couple who gets pregnant worries about the possibility of genetic defects or congenital deformities. Technological advances today enable doctors to obtain a genetic diagnosis prior to implantation of sperm or eggs prior to fertilization, known as PGD, or a pre-implantation genetic diagnosis.

Individuals undergoing the expensive, time consuming, and often emotionally vulnerable process of in-vitro or artificial insemination are utilizing such technology in order to improve pregnancy rates and reduce miscarriages. In most cases, PGD diagnostics are utilized in combination with in vitro fertilization (IVF) and ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection).

Treatments with drugs or medications are usually the first step, in an effort to try and stimulate and induce ovulation. Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is generally the next step in the infertility treatment process, also known as artificial insemination. Next often comes in vitro fertilization. This involves placement of an already fertilized egg into the woman’s uterus for implantation.

The cost of fertility treatments prohibit many couples from seeking treatments, but these days, many foreign destinations offer fertility programs that are affordable and effective. In the United States, the PGD and process costs approximately $4,000 to $7,000, which does not include the cost of the in-vitro fertilization procedure, which may cost approximately $12,000 for several attempts at a viable pregnancy.

Fertility facilities such as Jinemed Hospital in Istanbul, Central Europe charge an average of $4,000 for a cycle of in-vitro fertilization, while facilities in Thailand offer the same services for about $4,500. The cost of PGD in such destinations saves couples thousands of dollars.