



They really offer help to a family that may not have been expecting a genetic diagnosis,” Dr. “Genetic counselors often manage and provide support when a family is encountering a new diagnosis, which can be a challenging and difficult situation. They do so by examining a family’s medical history and working with other specialists to aid in making a diagnosis, says Dr. Genetic counselors can determine the risk of a genetic disorder to other family members in future pregnancies, and they provide comprehensive information, education and resources about that particular diagnosis.
Summarize the role of a genetic counselor professional#
NIPT screening can be done at 10 weeks or later in your pregnancy.A genetic counselor is a medical professional and a patient advocate who is trained to counsel families about genetic diagnoses and their implications, a CHOC Children’s medical geneticist says. It will also provide a prediction for whether you are carrying a boy or a girl. NIPT is a simple blood test that evaluates the risk for certain fetal chromosome abnormalities, including Down syndrome, trisomies 13 and 18, and sex chromosome disorders. Which type of screening test does Insight Medical Genetics offer?Īt Insight, we offer NIPT screening, because research has shown it to be a far more effective screening tool for fetal chromosomal abnormalities than the traditional serum test. The two types of diagnostic tests are amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS). The two types of screenings are serum testing and cell-free DNA testing, also known as noninvasive prenatal testing or NIPT. There are two types: screening tests, which tell you if your baby is at risk for certain abnormalities, and diagnostic tests, which tell you if your baby actually has certain disorders. What types of prenatal genetic tests are available? You can choose whichever approach is best for you.Ī prenatal genetic test provides you with important information about whether your baby is at risk for – or has – certain genetic abnormalities. We offer both in-person sessions or ones conducted remotely using Virtual Insights, our tele-genetic counseling service. Will I need to come into the office for the pre- and post-counseling sessions? If the results indicate an increased risk for an abnormality, the option for further testing will be discussed with you. NIPT is only a screening test, not a diagnostic test.

What if the test results indicate my baby is at increased risk for an abnormality? Taya Fallen, MS, CGC, Chief Clinical Officerīecause NIPT screening provides information related to the risk of serious abnormalities, we will pair you with a licensed, board-certified genetic counselor who will thoroughly explain the test, support you throughout the process, and summarize the results in an easy-to-understand way. Our goal is to make this information understandable and the process simple.” “Our genetic counselors have the experience and expertise to help you through this important step in your pregnancy and to prepare you for conversations you may need to have with your doctor and family once the results are available. Why do I need to see a genetic counselor if I want NIPT screening? A small amount of blood is drawn from your arm, so there is no risk to you or to the baby.
