Most babies are born healthy, but a very small percentage are born with birth defects that may have genetic causes. Columbia Fertility Associates provides genetic testing to assess your risk of having a baby with birth defects at their offices in Washington, D.C.; Bethesda, Maryland; and Arlington, Virginia. To get tested or to learn more about genetic testing, call the nearest office or schedule an appointment using the online booking feature today.
Genetic testing is a specialized test that assesses changes in chromosomes, genes, or proteins. The purpose of the test is to evaluate your risk of passing on a genetic defect or trait to your child.
Genetic testing is voluntary, so you don’t need to get tested. But if you have concerns due to you or your partner’s medical history, you may want to consider testing. It can be done before or during pregnancy.
If you decide you’d like to get genetic testing, the team at Columbia Fertility Associates work with you to determine the best type of test based on your family history. Tests include:
After genetic testing, you sit down with a genetic counselor to review your results so you understand what they mean. If necessary, the counselor may refer you to a medical specialist to help you better understand the genetic findings and develop a plan.
If you have concerns about how your genes may affect the health of your baby, call Columbia Fertility Associates or schedule an appointment online to learn more about genetic testing.