Genetic Counseling

The Prenatal Diagnosis Center (PDC) offers you and your partner the option of genetic counseling. Genetic counseling may be helpful to you if you have a known genetic disorder, take medication, if there are diseases that run in your family, or you’ve had a test in your pregnancy that indicates your baby might have a birth defect.

All of our counselors have master’s degrees in clinical genetics. They will take your family history and discuss any concerns you may have. They will explain all available tests, screenings and procedures to you, along with the benefits, limitations and risks of the options. If you choose to have genetic tests done, they will discuss the results with you and help you understand your options. 

These are very sensitive and sometimes difficult discussions and our counselors understand that. They give you information and answers in a non-judgmental, non-directive way, and encourage you to ask questions and speak openly about your thoughts and wishes. It is important that you decide what is best for you.

You will be presented with choices:

• Do you want to have testing done?
• Would having information about a birth defect during your pregnancy be helpful?
• Is there anything that can be done before your baby's birth?

If, after counseling, you decide to have a test or procedure, an appointment can be made for you, if you wish. If you decide to have the procedure on the same day as the counseling, this can be arranged before your visit to the Prenatal Diagnosis Center.