Pre-implantation Genetic Screening (PGS)

Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A)

Many IVF cycles result in disappointment as the embryos fail to implant or the pregnancy ends in spontaneous miscarriage. We now know that many of the transferred embryos are genetically abnormal (chromosomally unbalanced). These genetically unbalanced embryos are generally not able to implant or develop into a healthy pregnancy and live birth. In some cases, however, pregnancies occur but later miscarry, or, in a small minority, result in abnormal pregnancy and live births. It is estimated that at least 50% of miscarriages are caused by genetically abnormal embryos in both natural and IVF pregnancies.

With advancing age, women in their late 30s and early 40s are at a significantly increased risk that their eggs will have more abnormalities. This leads to a correspondingly higher incidence of genetically unbalanced embryos following IVF.

Find out more about PGT-A

Meet the Fertility for the Over-40s team

Our dedicated Fertility for the Over-40s team includes specialists in fertility, gynaecology, obstetrics and genetics.

Professor Nick Macklon, Medical Director

Professor Macklon is a world-renowned expert in reproductive medicine. He has held professorships at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands, the University of Southampton and the University of Copenhagen - where he is currently based. He is co-founder of the Complete Fertility Centre clinic in Southampton, and a member of the Executive Committee of the European Society of Human Reproduction.

Dr Shailaja Nair, Deputy Clinical Director

Dr Nair has more than 20 years experience in fertility and assisted reproduction. She worked as Associate Professor in a large teaching hospital and at the Cromwell IVF programme before joining the LWC in 1993. Dr Nair has extensive experience in all aspects of assisted conception, with a special interest in the egg-sharing and gamete donation programmes.

Mr Michael Summers, Consultant in Reproductive Medicine

A graduate of King’s College, Cambridge Mr Summers completed his medical training at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine followed by a Clinical Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School. He is certified by both the American College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ACOG) as well as on the GMC Specialist Register as a Consultant in Reproductive Medicine. His special interests include IVF, embryo culture, embryo implantation and pre-implantation genetic diagnostics, areas of research in which he has published extensively.

Dr Mona Rahmati, Consultant Gynaecologist and Fertility Specialist

Dr Rahmati graduated and completed her training in Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine in Rene Descartes - Paris V University. Before joining the team in 2015, she was a consultant in Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital and Bluets Hospital in Paris. Her special areas of interest are recurrent implantation failure and recurrent miscarriage.

Mr Ruwan Wimalasundera, Medical Director

Mr Ruwan Wimalasundera is Medical Director of the London Ultrasound Centre and Head of Obstetrics at the world renowned University College London Hospital (UCLH). He manages all aspects of pregnancy and delivers at UCLH and the Portland Hospital.