Genetic testing is optional but our family chose to go through the process just to be prepared for any risks the pregnancy might have. Some tests can check babies for medical conditions while your baby is in the womb. Others check the baby's DNA for some genetic diseases. Even before pregnancy, genetic carrier screenings can look at the mother’s and father’s genes to show the chances that their child would have a genetic disorder.
The best course of action is to talk to your doctor about which tests they recommend. This is a handy chart we found from Time Magazine that we used determine the timeline for genetic testing.
And keep in mind that if your doctor suggests one of these tests for your partner, it doesn’t mean there’s definitely a problem with your baby. It means they want to make sure everything is OK, or want to follow-up on the results from another screening test you had. Talk with them about the pros and cons of these tests, as well as what the results might mean for your family.
In many cases, health insurance plans will cover the costs of genetic testing when it is recommended by your doctor. However, some people may choose not to use their insurance to pay for testing because the results of a genetic test can affect a the insurance coverage.
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*The information and reference materials contained are intended solely for the general information of the reader. The information presented here is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of professional medical care. The information contained is neither intended to dictate what constitutes reasonable, appropriate or best care for any given health issue, nor is it intended to be used as a substitute for the independent judgment of a physician for any given health issue. If you have specific questions, please consult your health care provider.
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