Genetic Screening

Hi ladies, I'm one of the soon-to-be mommies in the over 35 category and they talked to us about amnios & the genetic counseling and we decided to do the counseling.

We're going in 2 wks for a detailed ultrasound and q's & such, but what else can we expect? Has anyone done this?

DH is going, but do they take blood or do anything with him?

Thanks so much.

I'm just happy at the chance to see our little peanut again

Re: Genetic Screening

I recently went but that's because they found a hrgroma and I went for an early aminio at 13 weeks. They do a family tree and talk about the MANY different chromosome disorders that are out there. They talk about an amnio and the procedure, what the results will tell you etc. It's informational.

Re: Genetic Screening

I'm 33 and had a meeting with the genetic counselor at the NYU genetics lab. She talked with me for maybe 20-30 minutes or so and found out my medical history, DH's medical history (looking back I wish he had gone with me - he would have been better equipped to answer those questions than I was), and our ancestry. Based on ancestry (I'm 100% irish descent, he's 50% irish, 25% italian and 25% jewish - austria) they performed a number of tests on my blood - tay sachs, ashkenazi (sp?), fragile x, etc. If I had tested postive for being a carrier for any of the diseases than they would have tested DH's blood - but they only tested mine first - around 6 vials or so. We found out the results approximately 3 weeks later.

She was very helpful in answering specific questions I had (I asked questions about blindness and autism, primarily) and I felt very comfortable.

good luck and congratulations on your pregnancy!

Re: Genetic Screening

i suggest you talk with your parents and ils before going, just to be clear on any health issues within the 2 families. they will ask many questions about ancestry, health problems within your famillies, etc.

i knew before getting pregnant that dh and i were both carriers for a genetic blood disorder. we went for genetic counseling before being pregnant and they took more blood from both of us, just to find out more specifics to our issue.

good luck!!

Re: Genetic Screening

I am meeting a genetic counselor next week at 12 wks. We are both over 35.

I was told that it would be a conversation (up to 1 hour!) first to discuss our medical history, risk about any procedures, etc....

Re: Genetic Screening

Did your OB/GYN tell you to go? I just turned 40 & my DH is 48. It's my first and I am almost 17 weeks. My doctor hasn't offered me any counseling & told me to wait until the results from the AFP & other blood tests I took last week come in. She said the nuchal translucency was very good & that in her over 28 years in practice the only Down's baby she delivered was to a 26 year old, so age isn't an indicator to have an amnio. Just wondering because I go see her next week for the blood test results & have to make the decision about an amnio.

Re: Genetic Screening

by the way, congrats to you & DH!!!

Re: Genetic Screening

I had the CVS done and had extensive genetic couseling as a result. They did not take blood from DH since I was not a carrier for any of the disorders so DH was ok even if he was. They did a detailed family history of problems and talked to us for about an hour. They also requested all my medical records, but not DH.