Prenatal Genetic Counseling
Genetic counseling can help you understand the risk for birth defects or genetic disorders in your current pregnancy. A board-certified genetic counselor with a master’s degree and/or a board-certified clinical geneticist-physician provide these critical services. We aim to encourage people to make decisions that reflect their own personal and cultural beliefs, values and goals. Women over the age of 35, or who have other risk factors such as a family history of birth defects or genetic disorders, exposure to medications, drugs or chemicals, abnormal AFP results, multiple miscarriages, or diabetes, may be candidates for genetic counseling.
If needed, testing such as ultrasounds, amniocentesis, and other tests are offered and can be performed by the physicians of Perinatal Associates to determine if the current pregnancy may be affected. Prenatal genetic counseling is done prior to any fetal diagnostic testing.
Obstetrical Ultrasound
Obstetrical ultrasound is a safe imaging technique that allows the provider to examine the fetus. The physicians at Perinatal Associates personally perform all Level III exams and fetal echocardiograms in addition to reviewing all ultrasounds performed by our service. Ultrasound may be used to confirm dates, evaluate growth, examine for birth defects or examine the fetal heart. We will answer any questions you may have about your ultrasound.
Ultrasound uses sound waves to safely see your baby and other internal soft-tissue organs. Ultrasound is a very safe and effective tool used to image your unborn baby when used by properly by trained professionals. Our practice is accredited by the AIUM. Accreditation by theAIUM demonstrates a facilities clinical excellence and its commitment to the highest quality patient care when providing diagnostic ultrasound services. To become accredited, a practice must undergo a rigorous and detailed process including but not limited to proof of safe and maintained equipment, numerous acceptable ultrasound studies graded acceptable by physicians who review studies through AIUM , proof of practice’s compliance of practicing ALARA (as low as reasonably acceptable). By proving ALARA, it proves no risk to the fetal ormaternal tissue.
There are several reasons your doctor may have requested you have an ultrasound be performed at PANM. It is useful to determine appropriate gestational age to give you the most reliable due date, thoroughly assessing your unborn baby’s anatomy for possible birth defects, underlying maternal healthissues, and several others.
When a sonogram or ultrasound is performed by the sonographer and/or perinatologist you may be asked to return for further evaluation. In most cases, this is to ensure we’ve seen your baby’s anatomy adequately. If you’ve been asked to return because of an ultrasound finding, chances are the diagnosis given to you is unfamiliar.
Some reasons for return evaluation may be:
- CPC (Choroid Plexus Cyst)
- EICF (Echogenic Intracardiac Focus)
- Polyhydramnios
- Oligohydramnios
- Increased Nuchal Fold
For more information please visit
www.obfocus.com
Amniocentesis
Amniocentesis is a safe, proven technique that has been used for many years. This test is performed for various fetal diagnostic procedures depending on the individual case. Ultrasound guidance is used during amniocentesis to assure safe removal of amniotic fluid. Our physicians have performed over 10,000 genetic amniocenteses. As with all testing procedures performed at Perinatal Associates, patients receive counseling about amniocentesis prior to the test to assure that they understand the risks, benefits, and limitations as well as the process in detail.
Links for More Information
Maternal Fetal Medicine www.smfm.org
