Family Builder is a specialist IVF treatment package designed to enable patients to bank euploid embryos (a normal number of chromosomes). Embryos identified as euploid have a higher chance of leading to a successful pregnancy, and lower miscarriage rate.

As we age, our eggs get older. Sometimes chromosomes don’t arrange themselves properly and embryos form that may have misaligned chromosomes, or fragmented chromosomal material. This is called aneuploidy. Aneuploidy is the main cause of embryos not implanting, or miscarrying. Embryos with chromosomes that form normally are called euploid.

Under the Family Builder package, you can choose to optimise your chances of a baby by testing the embryos through PGT testing, and then allowing us to choose those embryos that have normal chromosomes.

This means that, especially for those for whom time is limited, Family Builder optimises the chance of you being able to have the number of children that you really want. 

We have two different packages:

• Family Builder 2 (2 cycles of treatment)
• Family Builder Plus (3 cycles of treatment)

Family Builder 2 option:

Under this option, you proceed through a standard IVF cycle and eggs are retrieved as normal. After fertilisation, on day five or six of embryo development, depending on the speed at which the embryos develop, we biopsy all suitable embryos which are held for PGT-A, (Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy), testing.  This is then repeated for subsequent cycles. At the end of the required number of cycles, the biopsy samples are tested. This package includes testing on up to nine biopsy samples.

Ideally under Family Builder 2 you would have at least three to four euploid embryos that are suitable for transfer, but that can vary based on your age. 

If we don't get the expected number of euploid embryos from the first batch, we keep running the PGT-A tests until we have suitable embryos or run out of biopsy samples.

Family Builder Plus option:

Under this option you will have a third cycle of IVF treatment and the biopsy and testing process is repeated and the embryos are frozen. You may do a third cycle if you need to bank more embryos to get your ideal number of euploid embryos for transfer.

This package includes testing for up to 12 biopsy samples. Ideally under Family Builder Plus you will get at least five to seven euploid embryos that are suitable for transfer, but again that can vary from person to person based on age.

If we don’t get the expected number of euploid embryos from the first batch , we keep running the PGT-A tests until we have suitable embryos or run out of biopsy samples.

All the remaining euploid embryos from Family Builder 2 or Family Builder Plus remain frozen to be used at a later stage.

Family Builder 2 covers two cycles, and Family Builder Plus covers three cycles of IVF with:

• Stage 1: Medication and monitoring
• Stage 2: Egg collection and embryology
• One doctor review consultation is included once the package completes to discuss next steps.
• Frozen embryo storage is covered for the first 6 months.

If required, we can include:

• ICSI - sperm microinjection
• TiMI - time lapse morphometry imaging, if we have sufficient capacity in the lab at the time of embryology.

What’s not included?

• When you decide to use the embryos, the embryo transfer fee is applicable at that time.
• The PGT-A test does not include screening for gene disorders outside aneuploidy.
• If we have embryo biopsy samples that have not been tested because we have already identified the target number of euploid embryos, you may choose to have these tested as well – the fee for this is additional. 

The graphic below shows how many euploid embryos you may need to reach your ideal family size:

What if there are excess embryos for PGT-A testing?

If there are excess embryos and you decide that you would like to have these tested, there would be an additional fee per embryo. 

What if there are fewer euploid embryos?

Under Family Builder we would continue to test the biopsy samples available, but there is no guarantee you will achieve a minimum number of euploid embryos.  

Counselling and support services:

Family Builder offers one free counselling appointment included in the package. One doctor consultation is also included if a cycle is discontinued or the outcome is unsuccessful. Additional consultations with your doctor or counsellor are available.

Q. Can you switch from Family Builder Plus to Family Builder 2?

Yes - we refund the difference between the two.

Q. Can you switch from Family Builder 2 to Family Builder Plus?

No.

Q. What happens if I get lots of embryos on the first cycle?

You can opt to transfer to 'pay as you go' as you may have sufficient euploid embryos available. You must make this decision before embryo testing.

Q. What if I don’t get the target number of euploid embryos?

Family Builder cannot guarantee a particular number of euploid embryos, however by doing two or three cycles you are maximizing the chances of getting euploid embryos.

Q. Why do we wait to send all biopsy samples at the end of the 2 or 3 cycles?

We batch the biopsy samples and run the samples from all cycles at the same time. This is more cost effective, which allows us to provide a discounted service under this package.

Q. Is embryo storage covered under Family Builder?

Yes – it's the same as standard IVF, for the first six months. You will be invoiced for storage after the initial six month period.

Q. Can same sex couples participate in Family Builder?

Yes. One or both partners can use the total number of total cycles in your package, e.g., one cycle each under Family Builder 2. Donor sperm is an additional cost.

Q. Embryo banking process and timelines:

The timeframe for IVF cycles would be over about two months for Family Builder 2 and over about three months for Family Builder Plus. It would then be up to 4 weeks for the biopsy results to return. 

Q. When do we start putting the embryos back?

Once you have completed the required number of cycles, and the required number of euploid embryos have been determined, (or we have run out of embryos to test), then we can start to transfer the embryos back.