Is Genetic Counseling In Your Future?
If you and your partner have found out that you are having a baby, you may find yourself consulting a genetic counselor. It may be because of a condition that you may have inherited from your parents, a genetic abnormality that showed up in a previous pregnancy, or upon the urging of your doctor following prenatal testing and diagnosis. This type of testing can provide you with a wealth of information. How you use this information will be up to you.
What Is Genetic Counseling?
During genetic counseling, you will be engaged in a process in which a qualified medical professional will help you to determine the risk that your pregnancy may have of passing on an inheritable disease. This professional will help you do several things. They will help you:
- Identify if you are at risk
- Investigate the specific risk that may be relevant to your pregnancy
- Review information about the specified disorder
- Interpret inheritance patterns and risks specific to the identified disorder
- Review your options with you
Who Needs Genetic Counseling?
Not everyone needs genetic counseling. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that only 3%, or 120,000 babies, are born with one of the 45 types of identified birth defects. This means that 97% of babies are born normal. Genetic counseling is normally recommended if you have one or more of the following:
- If you have had an abnormal prenatal test
- If a chromosomal defect is identified through an amniocentesis
- If you, or a close family member has any type of inheritable disease
- If you have previously been pregnant with, or had a child who had any type of genetic disorder
- If you are considered a high risk pregnancy due to age or other characteristics
Many of these things may be uncovered by the complete medical history form that your medical provider will have you to complete.
What Decisions Will It Help You Make?
If you have been identified as having a higher risk of a particular chromosomal abnormality, or a birth defect, your genetic counselor will help calculate the chances of your baby having this condition. Your counselor will be a valuable resource of information to help you and your family better understand the condition, as well as help you understand your disease management options.
If a genetic abnormality is discovered early in your pregnancy, the counselor will help and support you as you make the decision as to whether or not to continue your pregnancy. If you choose to continue the pregnancy, they will help you to identify resources that will provide you with support throughout your pregnancy, as well as following the birth of your child.
If your healthcare provider refers you to genetic counseling, the most important thing for you to do is to go. Many people are apprehensive or afraid of what may be discovered during these sessions, but the unknown is even scarier. Genetic counseling will provide you with a wealth of information that may put your mind at ease. For more information, contact All Women's Clinic or a similar location.
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