Hi Sandra,

In answer to your questions:

- The entire process probably cost us about $5000 above what Medicare (Australian Health System), and our private health insurance covered.

- There is a single cell taken from the embryo at about Day 5. There is only enough genetic material to test for CAH status and gender. So yes, theoretically you can choose gender. However, it is a very unpredictable process, and you really can’t have a fixed plan in your head (eg we want an unaffected male / female etc). It depends on which embryo is the healthiest one on the day of implantation, and this call is made by the embryologists on the day. Of course you can have some say, but it’s more about what the embryos are doing than what you would like - much like conceiving naturally I guess!

- No, there is not enough material to test for other genetic conditions.

- I’m not sure if you mean "first time" with our son, or with IVF, but either way, no. We were very fortunate to fall pregnant first time with the IVF - and I certainly wasn’t expecting to be so fortunate.

Regards,

Kate.