The Ins And Outs Of Prenatal Carrier Screening?

By Author: RobinWood
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For couples considering starting a family, there are a few steps that should be taken prior to conception. Once a baby is born, everything changes drastically, and couples should make sure that they are prepared to be the best parents they can.
In addition to (i) a wellness checkup for both partners, (ii) eating healthier and omitting alcohol and baby-unfriendly foods from the mother’s diet; there is another option to make sure pregnancy is as healthy as possible - carrier screening. Though it is a newer option, more and more couples are opting for prenatal carrier screening to make sure they are not passing down any genetic mutations to their offspring,which could lead to the development of a genetic disorder.
Interested in carrier screening? Keep reading to find out more about the test and its benefits.

What is Carrier Screening?
Carrier screening is a test performed prior to pregnancy to determine if the parents-to-be “carry” any genetic mutations which could cause mental, physical or emotional developmental disorders in their baby. Some common disorders carrier screening looks for ...
... include sickle cell anemia,cystic fibrosis and congenital adrenal hyperplasia, but some tests can screen for more than 2000 genetic disorders.
Carriers usually have no symptoms of a genetic mutation, and often don’t know of it unless their DNA is screened. Babies develop genetic disorders when they inherit a defective gene from both of their parents. If both parents are carries of a certain gene defect, the chances their babies will be born with the condition is 1 in 4.

Who Should Get Tested?
Anyone who is planning a pregnancy should get prenatal carrier screening. However, while it is recommended for everyone, it is mandatory in a handful of situations. Couples who are related by blood, or have family histories of a genetic disease should get tested. Additionally, couples who have experienced multiple miscarriages, already have a child with heredity disorder, or belong to an ethnic group with a higher carrier rate for certain conditions also need to be tested.

When Should a Couple Get Tested?
The best time to complete a carrier screening test is when couples are actively planning to get pregnant. The test can also be taken before an IVF-procedure, pre-implantation genetic diagnosis or the use of non-carrier sperm and/or oocyte.

What are the Risks?
Carrier screening is becoming a popular part of prenatal care, which is partially due to the safety of the test. Couples who are screened only need to provide a blood sample- which can be taken by a RN at home in some cases. Besides the pinch of the needle, there is no harm or risk to either partner. Carrier screening also does not affect chances of conception.

When preparing for a baby, parents-to-be have enough to worry about like prepping the nursery, choosing the right doctor and gathering everything the baby needs once he or she is born. Don’t let your baby’s genetic health overwhelm you during this exciting time.
Prenatal carrier screening. can give you the reassurance you need now!

Robin Hood is a specialist writer in the field of NIPT genetic and DNA testing. He wrote many articles on various screening tests to get awareness and assurance about baby health for expecting parents and advice for women who are planning pregnancy.