Pregnancy & Genetics

Pregnancy & Genetics

For many pregnant women, prenatal genetic testing can be a stressful process. With so many testing options, it can leave them feeling overwhelmed and anxious. Genetic Support Foundation is dedicated to helping you get all of the information you need to make informed decisions about your health and the health of your child.

Pregnancy & Genetic Testing

NIPT, amnio or CVS? Quad screening. Nuchal translucency. Carrier screening. The options for prenatal genetic testing keep growing, and navigating these choices can be overwhelming and confusing.

Making decisions about and undergoing genetic testing during pregnancy can be emotionally challenging. But it is important to know that these tests are optional and that providers should help ensure you have all of the information to make the right choice for you and your family.

This information will walk you through some of the common genetic-related topics that are discussed during or prior to pregnancy, give you more information on what testing options are available, and explain what their results can — and cannot — tell you.

At GSF, our goal is to provide you with the resources you need to empower you to make decisions about your health and the health of your pregnancy and to decide what prenatal test(s), if any, are right for you based on your own health, personality, beliefs, needs and values.

Learn more about the specific areas of prenatal genetics:

Prenatal Genetic Testing Videos

The Washington State Department of Health, in partnership with Genetic Support Foundation, produced a series of seven educational videos and accompanying PDF handouts regarding Prenatal Genetic Testing.

Genetics & Infertility

For families who want to become pregnant, infertility can be devastating. Approximately 1 in every 8 couples in the U.S. has trouble getting or staying pregnant. That means over 12% of couples face infertility when trying to get pregnant. But many people do not talk about their or their family’s fertility challenges, so patients often feel alone in their infertility journey.

Genetic counseling and genetic testing may help determine an underlying cause for infertility or multiple miscarriages. Approximately a third of infertility and miscarriage is attributed to the male partner, a third attributed to the female partner, and a third attributed to a combination of both partners, or remains unknown, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

In addition, it can also come with opportunities for appropriate screenings or changes in medical management.

It is important to remember that regardless of the cause for infertility or miscarriage, no one is to blame. When an underlying cause of infertility or miscarriage is found, it is often due to something the individual affected had no idea they had and has no control over. Identifying why someone is having trouble conceiving can be powerful information, as it can determine what the best next step is to help someone start a family. The first step in that process is attempting to determine the underlying cause:

Have questions?

Do you have questions about pregnancy, prenatal genetic testing, infertility and the role that genetics can play? Schedule an appointment to talk with one of our genetic counselors.

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