Prenatal Genetic Counseling
Expectant parents often have concerns about their baby's health before it is born.
At UC San Diego Health, our prenatal genetic counselor can help you learn valuable information about your baby's genetic health and whether to proceed with prenatal screening.
Prenatal genetic counseling is a professional assessment of risk factors that you and your partner's family might have, as well as your medical and pregnancy history. It defines risks for conditions that might be passed down to your baby and can identify underlying genetic causes for anything unusual in your pregnancy.
Our Genetic Specialists
Our board-certified medical geneticists and genetic counselors are available to help you make important decisions about your current and future pregnancies. UC San Diego Health is nationally recognized for our screening program for chromosomal abnormalities and other birth defects.
An expert medical team of perinatologists and genetic counselors is available to guide you during your pregnancy or pregnancy planning.
Who Should Consider Genetic Counseling
You may want to pursue pregnancy-related genetic counseling if you:
Want to review your and your partner's family history and screening options before conception
Will be age 35 or above (age 33 or above with a twin pregnancy)at the time of delivery
Have prenatal screening results and/or an ultrasound demonstrate an increased risk for birth defects or chromosome abnormality
Are a carrier of a genetic disease or may have an increased risk of carrying specific genetic disorders
Have a family history of intellectual disability, birth defects, genetic conditions or chromosome abnormalities
Are from a certain ethnic background with increased carrier frequency for specific disorders
Have a history of multiple unexplained miscarriages or infertility
Have a condition that may put the pregnancy at an increased risk for birth defects
Have been exposed to an environmental agent that may put your baby at an increased risk for birth defects (e.g., alcohol or Accutane)
When to See a Genetic Counselor
Prenatal genetic counseling can occur:
- Before pregnancy with preconception counseling and carrier testing of the parents
- During pregnancy to help you and your partner decide if prenatal screening is needed