If you have recently had a child, chances are that you learned a fair amount about genetic testing during your prenatal care appointments. You may even have gone in for one or more of the genetic screening tests that are now widely available. In addition to genetic testing, genetic counseling is also available. It seems to me that the midwives that I saw for prenatal visits did some of the same things that a genetic counselor would do. If there had been things in my medical history or test results that required further investigation I would probably have been referred to a genetic counselor.
In addition to evaluating family history and medical records, genetic counselors evaluate the test results and help patients to understand what the results mean. This is important because many tests do not generate a simple yes or no type of answer; they often give a result based on what the risk is that the child will be born with a specific condition. Genetic counselors also help patients learn about the medical conditions that test results indicate that their child may have, so that they can be prepared.
Genetic counselors also provide valuable emotional support to patients. Whether a patient is learning that their child is at an increased risk for a genetic disorder or learning that the child more than likely will be born with a genetic disorder, the news is likely to be very upsetting. Preparing for the birth of a child is an exciting experience but it comes along with plenty of stress even for parents that are not at risk for delivering a child with a genetic disorder. A genetic counselor can help parents to work through the emotions that arise as they prepare for the birth of their child and educate them about any special care that their baby may need. While most expectant parents do not need genetic counseling, it is good to know that there are specially trained professionals that can help parents to understand the results of genetic testing as well as the genetic disorders that the tests are designed to detect.
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