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8095 Innovation Park Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031

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Prenatal Genetic Counseling

Whether you are planning a pregnancy, concerned about potential challenges, or want to talk about testing options, Inova Women's Hospital is ready to help.
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Prenatal genetic counseling can help you:

  • Understand the cause of a certain condition
  • Know the chance of having future children with a condition
  • Learn about current research, testing procedures and prenatal diagnosis
  • Contact community resources, and if possible, other families or patients with the same condition
  • Adjust to the personal and family issues related to a genetic disorder

Genetic Counseling Can Assist Women or Couples Who Are:

  • 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 Help with the Implications Of:

  • Previous miscarriages or pregnancy losses
  • Either parent's diagnosis or family history of birth defect, genetic disorder or mental retardation
  • Previously having a child with a birth defect, genetic disorder or mental retardation
  • 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

Our Counselor

Savannah Binion, MS, LCGC

Savannah Binion, MS, LCGC

Genetic Counselor

Savannah Binion, MS, LCGC, 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.

Originally from Michigan, she loves spending her time outdoors, watching college football, and traveling

savannah.binion@inova.org

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. 

Call 703-776-6654 for an appointment

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.