Overview
In Vitro fertilization is an extremely popular fertility treatment method utilized by couples around the globe. In Vitro fertilization, also known as IVF, is a procedure that joins a female egg and a male sperm in a laboratory environment. The eggs and sperm are collected from the couple separately and then, at its most basic description, placed together in Petrie dish in a laboratory environment, where fertilization is carefully observed. Following fertilization of the eggs, the eggs are then transplanted back into a woman's uterus for gestation.

In Vitro fertilization is often utilized by couples experiencing ovulation difficulties, low sperm count or low sperm survival rates, women experiencing problems with their fallopian tubes or uterus, as well as conditions such as endometriosis.

Gender selection is also known as sex selection, a relatively old technology that has nevertheless generated new controversy. Individuals of different cultural and religious backgrounds are concerned with the ethical, legal, moral and social issues generated by sex selection, although in many cases, sex selection is opted for by couples wishing to avoid sex-linked disease processes such as Duchene's muscular dystrophy or hemophilia. Gender selection in genetic diagnosis can screen for over 400 hereditary diseases.

IVF with Gender Selection Procedure
In Vitro fertilization with gender selection is often called family balancing. The process offers  several different methods that combine gender selection principles with In Vitro fertilization.  One of the most popular is called Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, also known as PGD. This method tests embryos for genetic disorders prior to fertilization and has been utilized since the late 1980s in prenatal diagnosis scenarios. In such procedures, embryos are tested for potential genetic diseases before implantation into the uterus.

The second method of the gender selection procedure involves prenatal testing, commonly performed today through ultrasound, amniocentesis, maternal blood sampling and a process known as chorionic villous sampling, also called CVS.

The third method for gender selection procedures is to separate Y and X chromosomes in male sperm prior to fertilization. After separation, the X or Y selected sperm combined with the woman's eggs and artificially inseminated into the female following fertilization.

Individuals should be aware that some countries around the world prohibit gender selection procedures unless sex-linked genetic transmission of diseases is indicated.

How Much Does it Cost?
The In Vitro fertilization procedure is costly, but also depends on where it is done, which medications are necessary, how many cycles need to be attempted, and how much medical insurance will cover. In the United States, the average cost of one cycle of In Vitro fertilization may reach upward to roughly $12,400, while one cycle of intrauterine insemination with gender selection costs around $600 a cycle, within several attempts necessary before successful contraception in many cases.

In Vitro fertilization or intrauterine fertilization procedures (IUI) utilizing PGD may add approximately $4,000 on top of that cost of basic In Vitro fertilization procedures. In most cases, average costs of in Vitro fertilization with gender selection in the U.S. may cost approximately $20,000.  However, travelers to Columbia, South America, may receive the same services for less than $9,000, and some locations in the Middle East charge an average of $10,000 dollars for such treatments.

Choosing a Fertility Clinic
Research prospective clinics and determine how many successful procedures have taken place there and use that information to help potential clients make a decision. While the success rate is not the only positive indication, it should at least be above the national average.

Check the clinic's ethics and quality control procedures to prevent legal disputes or mistakes in the laboratory. Understand the technology that is used by each clinic and whether it is followed by ethical guidelines, as well as making sure the patient has ultimate control in the situation. Physicians should be registered and belong to domestic organizations or associations in their country of origin, or even hold international licensing documents.