- Planning a pregnancy
- Interested in prenatal diagnosis
- Concerned about first or second trimester screening results
- Known to be at risk for carrying genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, hemophilia, sickle cell disease or thalassemia
- Pregnant and will be 35 years or older at the time of delivery
- Of an ethnic group in which particular inherited diseases are more common, including African-American, French-Canadian, Jewish, Mediterranean or Asian backgrounds
Genetic Counseling Can Assist Women or Couples Who Are:
Genetic Counseling Can Help with the Implications Of:
- Previous miscarriages or pregnancy losses
- Either parent's diagnosis or family history of birth defect, genetic disorder or intellectual disability
- Previously having a child with a birth defect, genetic disorder or intellectual disability
- A laboratory test such as a maternal serum screening test indicating an increased risk for a genetic disorder
- A woman's exposure to certain medications or drugs, significant radiation, and/or particular infections during her pregnancy
Preconception genetic counseling may be useful for a couple who:
- Are from a high-risk ethnicity for genetic disorders (eg. Ashkenazi Jewish for Tay-Sachs, African-American for sickle cell, Caucasian for cystic fibrosis, etc.)
- Have experienced recurrent miscarriages
- Are consanguineous (related by blood - first cousins, etc.)
- Have a known family history of a genetic condition
- Are advanced maternal age (over 35) or advanced paternal age (over 40)”
Why Choose Inova Women's Hospital for Your Testing?
At Inova Women's Hospital, you have immediate access to the most cutting-edge technology and the widest range of resources.
Our physicians conduct innovative research, participating in weekly clinical conferences and consulting frequently with physicians from other specialties.
Counselors
Savannah Binion, MS, LCGC
Prenatal & Preconception Genetic CounselorSavannah is a board-certified genetic counselor who earned her master's degree in genetic counseling from the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to joining Inova she worked on a research team at Georgetown's Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and graduated summa cum laude from The College of Wooster with a degree in psychology.
Julia Pascal, MS, LCGC
Genetic CounselorJulia is a board-certified genetic counselor at Inova, where she focuses on prenatal genetics. She received her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Virginia and master's degree in human genetics from the University of Cincinnati.
Appointments
Genetic counseling appointments are available weekdays. We suggest you schedule an appointment as soon as possible in order to maximize your testing options. This service is often covered by your health insurance, but please check with your insurance carrier first.
Tests and Procedures
Genetic testing can evaluate the health of both mother and baby even during the first trimester. Genetic tests or procedures may include:
- Ultrasound – A non-invasive screening that produces an image of the fetus using sound waves
- Amniocentesis – A diagnostic procedure that involves the insertion of a thin needle through the abdomen in order to obtain a sample of the amniotic fluid that surrounds the fetus. Cells in the fluid can be analyzed for chromosome abnormalities and other genetic disorders.
- Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) – A diagnostic procedure to extract cells from the placenta between 10 and 13 weeks of pregnancy. The procedure extracts cells from the placenta in order to detect chromosome abnormalities and certain other genetic disorders.