Many parents are worried about whether the child they are expecting is healthy or not. They want to know whether the unborn child has any genetic condition that may affect their quality of life in the future. Prenatal genetic screening determines whether a fetus has any genetic conditions while still in the mother’s womb. We are here to put your mind at ease about prenatal genetic screening that can help you and your unborn child.
What is prenatal genetic testing?
Genetic screening tests before pregnancy in an unborn child determine whether your child will inherit certain health conditions or not. These genetic tests also determine with certainty and accuracy whether the unborn child has a likelihood of inheriting any genetic condition. Thus, these prenatal genetic screening tests can help the expectant parents make an informed choice about the fetus’s health.
Prenatal screening for genetic disorders can also help your healthcare provider personalize your medical treatment to improve your chances of a healthy pregnancy. A prenatal screening test isn’t mandatory but entirely optional. But it is sufficiently important to undergo the tests to remove any doubts.
Merits and Demerits of Prenatal Genetic Screening
Some of the genetic tests are performed during the pregnancy, while others are conducted after the pregnancy. For example, if both the two partners are of the same ethnic group possessing a higher risk of a genetic disorder, then the expectant parents should undergo the test to see if they carry any of the high-risk genes. This is called a carrier screening.
Prenatal Genetic Screening can help you act on the information, including whether to have any children or go for IVF with preimplantation genetic screening. Couples who do genetic screening tests before pregnancy and get to know that their baby has a genetic defect are referred to a genetic counsellor to help them understand the condition and what could be their options.
Prenatal Screening for Genetic Disorders can determine the risk for birth defects and genetic conditions in a child. An actual diagnostic test can reveal the results with certainty.
Who should get themselves tested?
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), every pregnant woman, irrespective of age or risk level, is advised to undergo Prenatal Genetic Screening. Genetic testing is usually recommended for pregnant women who are in their first trimester. Aside from this, genetic testing is recommended to couples who possess high-risk genetic factors or have a family history of certain conditions.
ACOG recommends counseling patients who undergo Prenatal Screening for Genetic Disorders with detailed explanations of their relative advantages and disadvantages, detection rates, and limitations. After the test, patients should be consulted about the diagnostic testing.
The majority of the women have the option to access these tests, but whether they want to take the test or not is their personal decision. You can discuss with your partner if you want to consider the option of Prenatal Genetic Screening.
You may want to have access to as much information as possible before the baby is born. However, knowing whether your baby is affected by certain genetic conditions or abnormalities can help you get prepare beforehand. You can contact support groups or get in touch with doctors who specialize in caring for your child’s illness.
