Can people with translocation have healthy babies?

Yes — and the outcomes without any treatment are considerably better than most couples are led to expect. Observational studies of couples where one partner carries a balanced translocation report live birth rates as high as 70 to 71% without assisted reproduction, with miscarriage rates of around 29 to 30%. Those figures come from the ASRM recurrent pregnancy loss committee opinion. That matters, because couples given a translocation diagnosis are often steered quickly toward IVF with PGT-SR, and the natural conception option is presented as a poor second. It is not. What PGT-SR offers is a reduced chance of a pregnancy with an unbalanced chromosome result, and therefore potentially fewer miscarriages along the way. What it has not been shown to do is produce more babies overall than trying naturally. ASRM states that the efficiency of PGT-SR versus expectant management has not been established, owing to the lack of prospective trials. Two practical points if you are considering PGT-SR: A balanced translocation substantially reduces the number of usable embryos. One study found couples needed on average at least 4.5 blastocysts for a good chance of one transferable embryo. With older age or reduced ovarian reserve, several retrieval cycles may be needed to get there. Both routes are reasonable. Ask for genetic counselling that presents natural conception with prenatal diagnosis as a genuine option, not only as what happens if IVF fails.