Prenatal Genetic Counseling

Prenatal Genetic counselors are medical professionals with specialized training in genetics and genetic disease. Genetic counseling is the process by which individuals at risk for a disorder are educated regarding the consequences of the condition, the chances that they or their children will develop or transmit the condition, and ways in which the condition can be prevented, avoided or ameliorated.

Genetic counseling is provided by Board Certified genetic counselors for prenatal diagnosis, family planning, interpretation of test results, and other supportive services. Genetic counseling helps alleviate the anxiety which patients may feel, by providing accurate information regarding their genetic concerns and offering them support and guidance in a non-directive manner.

In a genetic counseling session, the potential need for carrier testing and the risks and benefits of amniocentesis, CVS, and other genetic tests are discussed. Interpretation of test results and accuracy are addressed and the patient's genetic family history and individual concerns are examined. If the result of prenatal testing is abnormal, a meeting with a genetic counselor can offer the patient professional guidance and support during a difficult time. The counselors' genetic expertise enables them to make proper referrals, arrange appropriate testing, and offer a wide variety of resources to their patients.

Prenatal Genetic Counseling May be Beneficial to:

• Women, 35 or older, who are pregnant or wish to be pregnant and are concerned about the risk for chromosomes problems during pregnancy. This is because the risk for certain birth defects, such as Down syndrome, increases with a woman’s age, regardless of family or medical history.
• Couples in which one or both have a history of birth defects or genetic disease.
• Couples who have had a child or pregnancy affected with certain birth defects or genetic disease.
• Individuals interested in carrier screening for genetic disease due to family history or ethnic background.
• Couples who have found (through carrier screening) that they are both carriers of the same genetic condition, such as Tay Sachs disease.
• Pregnant women coping with abnormal genetic test results.
• Women concerned about a drug, environmental hazard, or other exposure during pregnancy.
• Couples who have been diagnosed with infertility.

Next Steps:

For further information regarding our genetic counseling services, please contact us at 773-472-4900 or e-mail us.