Genetic Testing

Genetic Testing in Ahmedabad for Fertility, Pregnancy & Family Planning

Genetic testing checks for changes in genes or chromosomes that may affect fertility, pregnancy, or a child’s health. Depending on your situation, testing may be considered before pregnancy, during IVF, after recurrent pregnancy loss, or during pregnancy itself.

Dr. Ladu Dewasi is a Consultant Gynaecologist and Infertility Specialist practising at Mayflower Women’s Hospital, Bopal-Ambli, Ahmedabad. Genetic testing here is considered as part of your overall fertility or pregnancy plan, so the test is selected according to your history, family history, age, and reproductive needs, rather than ordered as a routine add-on. He also holds an MD in Anaesthesia, which is directly relevant when PGT requires an embryo biopsy carried out during an IVF cycle: sedation and pain management for that cycle are planned and managed by the same doctor throughout, rather than handed off to someone meeting you for the first time.

What Is Genetic Testing?

Genetic testing uses a blood, saliva, or other appropriate sample to look for specific changes in genes or chromosomes. In IVF, embryo testing may involve a small biopsy of cells from the embryo’s outer layer at the blastocyst stage.

There is no single genetic test for every situation. The appropriate test depends on what is being investigated, such as inherited conditions, recurrent pregnancy loss, male infertility, embryo chromosome abnormalities, or prenatal risk.

When Is Genetic Testing Considered?

Genetic testing may come up at a few specific points in a fertility or pregnancy journey:

  • Before conceiving, to check for carrier status for inherited conditions such as thalassemia, sickle cell disease, or cystic fibrosis, particularly relevant in consanguineous marriages or where a condition runs in the family
  • During IVF, to assess embryos for specific genetic or chromosome-related concerns before transfer, when appropriate. Learn more about IVF/ICSI
  • After recurrent pregnancy loss, to investigate possible chromosomal factors in either partner or, where appropriate, pregnancy tissue. See Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Treatment
  • For male infertility, when very low or absent sperm counts raise the possibility of a genetic cause, such as a Y-chromosome microdeletion or chromosome abnormality
  • During pregnancy, where prenatal screening such as NIPT and ultrasound-based screening may assess the likelihood of certain chromosomal conditions

 

If you’re not sure whether any of this applies to you, that’s a reasonable thing to bring to a consultation rather than work out on your own.

Types of Genetic Testing

1. Carrier Screening

Carrier screening uses a blood or saliva sample to check whether you carry a gene for certain recessive inherited conditions. It can be considered before pregnancy, especially when there is a relevant family history or both partners may be carriers of the same condition. Testing before conceiving generally allows more options than testing after a pregnancy is already underway.

2. Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT)

PGT is performed on embryos created through IVF. A trained embryologist takes a small number of cells from the embryo’s outer layer, usually at the blastocyst stage (around day 5 to 6 of development), and the embryo is generally frozen while testing is completed. This biopsy is a standard, established laboratory step and is not expected to prevent a genetically suitable embryo from continuing to develop normally after transfer.

3. Karyotyping and Genetic Testing for Male Infertility

Karyotyping examines the chromosomes in a blood sample and may be considered in selected cases of recurrent pregnancy loss or infertility. When sperm counts are very low or absent, additional genetic testing such as Y-chromosome microdeletion analysis may be recommended as part of a broader infertility assessment.

4. Prenatal Genetic Screening

During pregnancy, tests such as NIPT and nuchal translucency ultrasound can assess the likelihood of certain chromosomal conditions. These are screening tests, not diagnostic tests. A higher-risk result may require further evaluation with a diagnostic test such as CVS or amniocentesis, carried out under appropriate specialist care.

Who May Need Genetic Testing?

Genetic testing may be worth discussing if:

  • A genetic condition runs in your family
  • You and your partner are blood relatives
  • You have had recurrent pregnancy losses
  • You or your partner have previously had a child with a genetic or chromosomal condition
  • You are considering IVF and have relevant age or reproductive risk factors
  • Semen analysis shows a very low or absent sperm count
  • You already know that you or your partner carries a genetic condition


Not everyone needs genetic testing. Just as often, the useful outcome of a consultation is understanding that testing isn’t necessary for your situation right now, and that’s a legitimate answer, not a missed opportunity.

What to Expect During Genetic Testing

For many genetic tests, the process involves a simple blood or saliva sample. The sample is sent to a specialised laboratory, and turnaround time depends on the specific test, typically around one to three weeks for carrier screening and karyotyping.

For PGT, embryo biopsy is performed as part of the IVF laboratory process, and results are usually available within one to two weeks. The embryo is generally frozen while genetic testing is completed, and transfer is planned based on the overall treatment plan and test results.

Ready to Understand Your Genetic Testing Options?

Book a consultation with Dr. Ladu Dewasi to find out whether genetic testing is relevant to your fertility, pregnancy, or family-planning needs.
Book an Appointment

Understanding Your Results

Genetic results are not always simply positive or negative. A result may need to be interpreted alongside your medical history, family history, and reproductive goals.

Where appropriate, genetic counselling can help you understand what a result means, what it may mean for future pregnancies or family members, and what options are available. This is treated as a standard part of the process, not an optional extra, especially since a result can sometimes have implications for other family members.

Why Consider Genetic Testing with Dr. Ladu Dewasi

  • Individualised testing: recommendations are based on your history and reproductive situation, not applied as a routine step for every patient
  • Fertility-focused care: genetic testing is considered alongside your overall fertility or pregnancy plan, so a result directly informs what happens next
  • Dual qualification: Consultant Gynaecologist and MD in Anaesthesia, relevant when PGT requires an embryo biopsy carried out during an IVF cycle under sedation
  • Clear explanation: results and their possible implications are discussed in understandable terms, not left as a lab report you have to interpret alone
  • Coordinated care: genetic counselling or specialist referral can be arranged when needed

Ffrequently Asked Questions

Genetic testing looks for changes in genes or chromosomes that may affect fertility, pregnancy, or a child's health. The type of test depends on your individual reason for testing.
Genetic testing looks for changes in genes or chromosomes that may affect fertility, pregnancy, or a child's health. The type of test depends on your individual reason for testing.
Carrier screening checks whether you or your partner carry certain inherited conditions, and is done before pregnancy. PGT is performed on embryos already created through IVF, to assess specific genetic or chromosome-related concerns before embryo transfer.
The biopsy removes a small number of cells from the embryo's outer layer at the blastocyst stage, carried out by trained embryologists as a standard laboratory step, and is not expected to prevent a genetically suitable embryo from continuing to develop normally after transfer.
No. The type of PGT depends on what is being assessed. PGT-A focuses on chromosome number, PGT-M on a specific known genetic condition, and PGT-SR on certain chromosome rearrangements.
In some cases, yes. Chromosome testing of one or both partners may identify a rearrangement that can contribute to pregnancy loss, and testing pregnancy tissue may also provide information about a particular miscarriage when appropriate.
Carrier screening is most useful before conceiving, since knowing your carrier status in advance gives you more reproductive options, including PGT-M during IVF if both partners are found to carry the same condition.
Blood or saliva-based tests such as carrier screening or karyotyping typically take one to three weeks. PGT results on biopsied embryos are usually available within one to two weeks, during which the embryos are frozen.
No, It is considered based on individual factors such as age, reproductive history, and known genetic or chromosomal risk, not applied as a routine step for every patient.
Dr. Ladu Dewasi consults at Mayflower Women's Hospital, Bopal-Ambli Junction, Sardar Patel Ring Road, Ahmedabad, and can help determine whether genetic testing is relevant to your fertility, pregnancy, or family-planning needs. Appointments can be booked by phone, WhatsApp, or through the enquiry form on this site.

Mayflower Women’s Hospital – 2nd Floor, Satyamev Elite Ambli, Junction, Sardar Patel Ring Rd, Bopal, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380058

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