we had our 7wk scan today and it was great! the lady mentioned next time when we come for our 12wk scan there will also be a genetics counseller i think to discuss. what is a genetics counselling? does anyone know?
It might also be due to your age - a friend who was pregnant with her first baby at 35+ years of age was given a genetic counsellor even though she didn't want one, as far as I know all her scans were fine and her baby was hale and hearty and ready to take over the world. so if you are over 35 that might be the reason? or it might be a policy of where you are having your scans done that everyone sees a counsellor just in case there is a problem.
im 26 years old, so maybe not the age. We did ivf through monash ivf so it could be a routine thing they do. do they need any information from me? or is it just to check that everything is fine?
A genetic counsellor might draw a diagram of your family tree, ask if there are any known genetic conditions in your family, can offer carrier screening for you to see if you carry a gene for a condition (e.g. cystic fibrosis) that you might pass on to your children.
There are screening options during pregnancy that you may decide to take up (NT measurement, 1st trimester blood test, 2nd trimester blood test, 20 week ultrasound). A genetic counsellor can help explain what these tests will measure, the implications if the tests show anything, and basically give you information so you can decide whether you want to have the tests done. None of these tests are mandatory, but this is not always explained to Mums (& Dads).
Genetic counsellors are non-directive (they don't tell you what to do), but they can give you info so you understand what your choices are for testing/no testing.
It's not usual that a Genetic Counsellor is there at every 12w scan.
If there is a high risk of Down's then the GC will explain the other testing that can happen, what trisomy 21 is, how it affects a baby, possible mosaicims, also any other genetic problems that may run in the family and the chances of your child having this.
TBH, if you have had IVF then I would have thought this should have been pre-pregnancy; this way you can screen embryos or talk about potential problems BEFORE pregnancy.
As Kate says, it's advice and understanding; a lot of a GC's job is explaining geneics and statistics, as many people were told it was "hard" at school and so have little knowledge.
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genetics counselling?
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