Genetic Counseling and Consultation

Genetic counseling involves meeting with a specialist in genetic counseling or prenatal diagnosis to review you and your partner's medical history, along with family histories to determine if the pregnancy is at increased risk for any genetic diseases.

Reasons for genetic counseling include:

• Advanced Maternal Age ( > 35 years old at the time of delivery)
• Previous history of a fetus born with birth defects, mental retardation, or genetic disorders
• Family history of birth defects, mental retardation, or genetic disorders
• Medication Usage in pregnancy
• Abnormal Blood screening testing (AFP, triple screen, quadruple screen)
• Certain ethnic groups (Ashkenazi Jews, Italians, African-Americans, Southeast Asians, and others) may be at increased risk for certain genetic disorders