What is a genetic counselor?

A genetic counselor is a medical professional who can guide you through the complex information about your chances of having a child with a genetic disorder or birth defect as well as through the testing, treatment, and other options available. The counselor's role is to translate all the technical and scientific information and to help you sort out your feelings so that you can make informed choices and decide what's right for you and your family.

You may want to talk to a genetic counselor if any of the following apply to you:

The counselor will ask you and your partner for your family health histories as far back as possible, so try to speak with relatives ahead of time to find out about any birth defects or chronic illnesses (such as heart disease or diabetes) in either of your families. You'll need to find out whatever you can about the health histories of your parents, siblings, children, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.

Your counselor will talk to you about any inherited disorders that show up in your family history and your chances of passing them on to your child. She'll also ask about any toxic substances you may have been exposed to or medications you may be taking or have taken during your pregnancy, so bring a list of those.

The counselor can help you understand the risks, benefits, and limitations of any prenatal tests you're considering and the results of tests you've already taken.

An average counseling session takes about 20 to 60 minutes, but take all the time you need to ask questions. Afterward, the counselor will write a letter summarizing the session and send it to you and your practitioner, if appropriate. A genetic counselor may also provide referrals to community resources, if you wish, or coordinate further prenatal testing for you.

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Prenatal genetic counseling | BabyCenter

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