Getting the news that you are going to be a parent comes with a lot of happiness, indeed. Prenatal care is the most crucial stage for pregnant women. If you are expecting a child, frequent visits to your gynecology specialist for genetic testing are mandatory.
Genetic testing has its own pros and cons if done during pregnancy. Dive into this blog to explore everything about genetic testing in prenatal care and the advantages it offers to you and your unborn child.
What is genetic testing?
Genetic testing is a diagnostic process in science that looks at your DNA to find variations in your chromosomes or genes. Sometimes these alterations, referred to as mutations, can result in genetic problems or raise the chance of contracting specific illnesses. Genetic testing can be beneficial in the setting of prenatal care in the following way.
- It helps to determine your unborn child’s risk of developing specific genetic diseases.
- The likelihood that your child will inherit genetic diseases.
- Diagnosis whether your unborn child has inherited a certain genetic disease.
Numerous techniques, like blood tests, amniocentesis, and chorionic villus sampling (CVS), can be used for genetic testing. A tiny sample of placental cells is taken during CVS, whereas an amniotic fluid sample from the baby’s surrounding womb is taken during amniocentesis.
Non-invasive techniques such as cell-free fetal DNA testing and ultrasound can also be used in some situations to do genetic testing. A recent kind of testing called cell-free DNA testing uses a mother’s blood test to examine the baby’s DNA.
Your healthcare provider’s recommended type of genetic test will be based on several criteria, including your medical history, your family history, and your mother’s age.
Types of Genetic Testing Done During Pregnancy
Genetic testing can be done using various options. Pregnancy is a crucial stage in one’s life; hence, it must be done patiently and crucially to avoid all the disruptions and side effects of the rays. Prenatal diagnostic testing, prenatal screening tests, and carrier screening are the most popular genetic test types that can be carried out during pregnancy.
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Carriers Screening
In the early stages of pregnancy, carrier screening is usually done to find out if the potential parents carry any particular genetic abnormalities. Carriers are people who carry a mutant or “altered” gene for a disorder, even though they may not exhibit any symptoms. There can be a chance that if they are carriers of that particular disease or syndrome, it can be inherited as an alignment in the unborn baby if both or a single parent are carriers as well.
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Parental Screening
Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and first-trimester screening are two examples of prenatal screening techniques that don’t offer a definitive diagnosis. Rather, they evaluate the baby’s risk for neural tube malformations or chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome. Blood tests, ultrasounds, and cell-free DNA screening assays are examples of prenatal screening procedures. If the findings point to a higher risk of a genetic condition, your doctor will go over your options for confirming the diagnosis.
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Prenatal screening tests
Two prenatal screening methods that don’t provide a conclusive diagnosis include non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and first-trimester screening. Instead, they assess the infant’s risk for genetic disorders like Down syndrome or neural tube defects. Prenatal screening methods include blood tests, ultrasounds, and cell-free DNA screening assays. Should the results indicate a greater likelihood of a hereditary disorder, your physician will discuss your options for a formal diagnosis.
Is Genetic Testing Safe?
Genetic tests like blood and cheek swab tests generally provide little physical danger. Prenatal testing, like amniocentesis or CVS, is generally only advised if there is cause to think that the unborn child may have a genetic problem. However, there is a minor risk of miscarriage associated with these tests.
It’s critical to keep in mind that genetic testing has other ramifications, such as emotional, social, and economic ones. Before deciding to move forward with a genetic test, you should always go over all the advantages and disadvantages of the procedure with your healthcare physician or genetic counselor.
Why is genetic testing important in paternal care?
Genetic testing yields useful information about the health of your unborn child that you and your doctor can discuss. With the use of this information, medical professionals can customize their prenatal care and assist you in making better pregnancy-related decisions.
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Early genetic condition detection
Early pregnancy genetic conditions can be detected through genetic testing, which can identify possible problems, giving you and your healthcare practitioner more time to plan for any necessary treatments or interventions. This can be particularly important in cases of hereditary disorders that need to be treated medically very soon after birth.
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It helps in Decision Making
You may decide to have more testing done or to have your delivery arrangements changed if prenatal screening results show that your child has a high chance of inheriting a genetic condition. The findings of your genetic test can provide you with crucial information that you can use to prepare for future pregnancies, make decisions about your pregnancy, and consider possible medical interventions and treatment options.
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Planning
Early identification helps you prepare emotionally, financially, and in other ways so that you can meet your child’s unique needs if it is discovered that your baby has a genetic issue. It can also assist parents in getting ready for any specific care their newborn could require, such as setting up specialized medical care or modifying their way of life to account for a hereditary condition.
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Reach the right support at the right time
The findings of a genetic test might connect you to families living with similar problems and support organizations, offering a priceless network of advice and help.
Visit Ankura Hospital for paternal care!
If you are pregnant, it is mandatory to get all the information about the health of your unborn child tested with genetic testing. You might feel more at ease and concentrate on enjoying your pregnancy if you are aware of the results of the genetic testing.
It is essential to prenatal treatment since it offers important details on the health and potential risks to your unborn child. You can make the best decisions for you and your unborn child by being aware of the significance of genetic testing and talking with your doctor about your options. Visit Ankura Hospital to get the best parental care from a gynecology specialist for your unborn child and get all the testing done before it gets too late.
