Pregnancy Support & Testing
The Women's Center offers prenatal testing, diagnosis and genetic counseling for women who:
Are pregnant and under age 35 but would like more accurate screening for Down Syndrome.
Are pregnant and will be 35 years of age or older on your due date.
Are pregnant with an abnormal screening test result such as an expanded AFT blood test.
Have had an ultrasound of your fetus showing a possible birth defect.
Have already had a child or other close relative with a birth defect or genetic disease
Are a carrier (or your partner is) of a recessively inherited disease such as Tay-Sachs, sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis or thalassemia.
Are a carrier of an X-linked disease such as Fragile X, hemophilia or muscular dystrophy.
Are closely related to your partner (such as first cousins)
Have been exposed to medications, X-rays or other agents during your pregnancy that may be harmful to the developing fetus.
See also information about our Family Birth Center
What is genetic counseling?
Specially trained counselors use family and personal health history to provide information and support to women and their families about birth defects or inherited diseases either before or during a pregnancy.
Prenatal screening and diagnostic tests include:
Amniocentesis
Nuchal Translucency (NT)
Expanded AFT
Ultrasound
Fetal echocardiogram
Targeted ultrasound examination
Carrier screening
Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)
