Sometimes it is fatal to reduce the importance of genetic counseling.
In cases where the woman is over 36 years old or where the couple are
in relation to each other, it is important to find the couple's family
history. Genetic counseling helps in the diagnosis of any risk factor
for imminent pregnancy. If the couple is in close relation, then their
genes may be the same, which may force the pregnancy into deformities.
In such cases, you are assigned to support groups, which make you
understand the risks to which your child will be exposed if you decide
to opt for pregnancy. It is important to understand the situation
clearly at the pre pregnancy stage to avoid having mental and physical
disorders in the child.
Reasons For Genetic Counseling
Everybody
wants to have a healthy offspring. However, it is not always so.
Therefore, to be on the safe side it is important to take genetic
counseling if you have any of the following conditions, at the pre
pregnancy planning stage.
If your partner is 35 years old.
If you are related to each other.
if you have a disorder like cystic fibrosis.
if you have a child with mental disorder.
if your child has genetic disorder.
if you have constant miscarriages or if your babies are still born.
if you have STD.
if you have been exposed to or have exposure to toxins like teratogens.
if you have problems of infertility.
If you have a history of a particular illness in your family.
If you have any type of physical deformity.
if you catch pregnancy infections
if your family has a history of epilepsy.
Classification Of Tests
Some
carrier and screening tests are performed on couples who have any of
the aforementioned conditions. The carrier test checks for a type of
blood disorder known as thalassemia. This disorder affects people of
Mediterranean origin and people in Africa and Southern Asia. The disease
cystic fibrosis usually afflicts people of Caucasian origin. This
disease affects the lungs. African Americans are usually born with the
sickle cell disease, a blood disorder. The tay-sachs disease can cause
fatal damage to the brain and usually afflicts the descendants of east
European Jews. The screening tests can also determine the Huntington's
disease and the hemophilia disease. How can one undermine the importance
of genetic counseling.
These tests forewarn parents
working in factories and poor conditions, where they are exposed to
substances like radiation and teratogens, whether their bodies are fit
to become parents or not. Genetic counseling helps them to get rid of
these harmful substances in the planning stage of pregnancy and to
deliver healthy babies. AFP is another screening test that determines
birth defects and other defects such as spina bifida and anesthesia. It
also detects neural tube defects. In modern times, ultrasound testing
has become very common in pregnant women. This test can detect whether
there is any deformity or any deformity in any part of the fetus's body.
Genetic disorders and developmental disorders can be detected with the
test of Amniocentesis. The importance of genetic counseling is evident
again over here.
Not Very Costly
The
cost of genetic counseling is quite affordable. It can cost anywhere
from $100 to $300. Most insurance policies cover genetic counseling. Do
not be daunted by the costs or the unpleasing words of wisdom. Always
understand it is in the best interest of the child. Moreover, if at all
you are advised against pregnancy, then you can always adopt a child
from a childcare center. You as parents are going to give the most
precious gift to the child, LOVE. So do not take it lightly and give due
importance to genetic counseling.
