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 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.
