Genetic Screening

Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology

Obstetrics & Gynecology located in Atlanta, GA & Alpharetta, GA

Genetic screening provides vital information about your baby’s health, and the skilled providers at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology offer this service to give you the tools you need to navigate important decisions for yourself and your family. To learn more about genetic screening options and schedule an appointment, call the office in Atlanta or Alpharetta, Georgia, or request an appointment online today.

Genetic Screening Q&A

What is genetic screening?

Prenatal genetic screening gives you vital information before pregnancy or about a fetus’s health so you can make the best possible decisions for your family. It can reveal higher risks for genetic disorders.

Genetic screening can help you test for many disorders, including:

Down syndrome
Trisomy 13
Spina bifida
Fragile X syndrome (FXS)
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)

Screening tests don’t diagnose genetic conditions.

What types of genetic screening are there when pregnant?

Your provider may recommend one or more of the following:

Carrier screening

This blood test can identify small gene changes that increase your fetus’ risk of inheriting serious medical conditions (often called single-gene conditions). These include spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), sickle cell disease, and cystic fibrosis.

If you’re a carrier for a genetic risk, your partner should also undergo genetic screening. If you are both carriers, you have a greater chance of passing the disease on to your child.

Abnormal chromosome number screening

If you are pregnant, your provider can check to see if a fetus has any missing or extra chromosomes. Cell-free fetal DNA screening, also called non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), must wait until 10 weeks gestation because it relies on the small amounts of fetal DNA in your blood. It lets you safely check for abnormal chromosome numbers.

Instead of examining fetal DNA, a serum screening analyzes protein levels in a sample of your blood to determine your child’s risk for abnormal chromosome numbers. There are specific times you can undergo this test, but all must wait until at least the 11th week of your pregnancy.

Screening for physical abnormalities

Ultrasound and blood tests can check the fetus’ risk for physical defects. Your provider can then assess whether these changes might be due to genetic abnormalities.

Who should pursue genetic screening?

Genetic screening is not required and is always a personal choice. You may choose to get genetic screening if you:

Are pregnant and over age 35
Have a family or personal history of genetic conditions
Have a history of stillbirth or miscarriage

The experienced providers at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology are available to support whatever decisions fit your personal and family goals.

To learn more about genetic screening, call Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology or request an appointment online today.

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