General4 Reasons to Consider DNA Testing During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is indeed the most beautiful experience a woman can ever be a part of. The phase is unforgettable not only for mothers but for fathers as well. For a woman to carry a baby for nine months in her womb and bringing another life into this world is rather extraordinary. If you are going to be a mom soon, you must be feeling excited and overwhelmed at the same time. However, making sure that the baby is healthy throughout and after the pregnancy is equally important. It may sound terrifying, but trust me, what I am about to describe to you will give you peace of mind.

It is essential to know that some babies, before they are even born, could be at the risk of some genetic disorders or diseases. Genetic disorders, such as Tay-Sachs disease, sickle cell disease, and muscular dystrophy, among many others, can pass to your baby if you are at risk as well. Sometimes people with a genetic disorder can be hesitant to have babies because they are worried they will pass it on. It is the reason why you need to know that there is a solution. In such cases, genetic counseling or DNA testing is recommended. Even if you think there are no risks at all, you should consider DNA testing during pregnancy. Here are four reasons listed down why you should get genetic counseling:

1. You or a relative has a genetic disorder

The chances of passing on the disease are higher when you or a family member has an inherited condition. Genetic disorders are common in a lot of families. Therefore, genetic counseling can be a proper way of understanding your risk of getting or passing on the disease. According to W. Andrew Faucett, a professor in genomic medicine, “Not all diseases are inherited the same way.” It means you or your husband could be carrying a disease that doesn’t pass to your kids.

Similarly, both of you could be having a disorder and not even know about it. But, still, it is best to consider genetic testing to understand the risks. You can also go for a home dna test kit first. If you feel something is wide of the mark, you can consider full genetic testing.

2. You have had a child with a genetic disease

If you have had a child with some genetic disorder, you must have a question in your mind that maybe your next kid will have it too. In that case, you should not wait anymore. As genetic inheritance patterns are not easy to understand, it is suggested to have genetic counseling or proper DNA testing. This will help you know if there are any chances of another child having a similar or different inherited disease.

3. You are considering having a child when you are 35 or above

Women who are 35 or older are at a higher risk of certain hereditary conditions as compared to those who are below 35. According to professor Faucett, “people who are 35 years or above are more likely to have a child with a genetic disorder than younger people.” Therefore, to understand the risk in case of increased parents, getting DNA testing comes highly recommended.

4. You have had irregular prenatal test results

During pregnancy, doctors always conduct multiple tests to monitor the health of the baby. Through these tests, they make sure the baby is growing and developing healthily. However, during these tests, if they notice something abnormal, they may recommend genetic testing.  These tests can identify genetic disorders, and doctors will even recommend early testing to prevent the disease.

This article has been sponsored by Kamil Web Solutions FZE