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Parentpedia
Prenatal Testing
Pregnancy is a time of anticipation and, for many women, anxiety over their baby's health.
The good new is the overwhelming majority of women give birth to perfectly healthy babies. Every pregnant woman, however, has a small chance of having a baby with a birth defect or a chromosomal disorder, such as Down syndrome.
Your doctor will offer you various prenatal tests to determine if your baby is at risk for Down syndrome or other chromosomal problems and birth defects.
Check with your doctor to see which prenatal tests are right for you and when they should be done.
Should I Get Tested?
Prenatal testing is optional. Likely candidates include women who:
- Are over 35
- Have a family history of a genetic disease such as cystic fibrosis or are carriers of a disease (people in specific ethnic groups may be screened for these diseases)
- Were exposed to an infection that could cause birth defects (such as rubella or toxoplasmosis)
- Were exposed while pregnant to a substance that might be harmful to a developing baby
- Previously had a miscarriage
- Previously gave birth to a baby with birth defects
Genetic Counseling or Testing
Many doctors recommend genetic counseling or testing before you get pregnant for people in the following groups:
If both parents carry the gene for one of these diseases, there is a one in four chance that any baby they have together will have the disease. Parents can meet with a genetic counselor or other specialist to help decide if they want to take the risk. If you are already pregnant, you can decide if you want to have your baby tested.
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