Genetic Carrier Screening

What is a carrier screening

This is a screening that can help you understand your chance of passing on an inherited condition to your baby. Everyone has a chance to be a carrier even if you do not have a family history of a genetic condition.

Most carriers do not have symptoms of these conditions. You may not know you are a carrier unless you have a carrier screening.

Some people are more likely to be carriers of genetic conditions because of their family history.

What is the benefit of a carrier screening?

A screening can show if you have a low or high risk of having a baby with a genetic condition. You may choose to complete a genetic screening for your baby during or after your pregnancy.

If you are not found to be a carrier, there is a lower risk of passing along a genetic condition to your baby. It does not mean that the risk is zero.

If you are found to be a carrier,

• You may have a higher risk of passing along a genetic condition to your baby.
• Your partner should consider getting a carrier screening.
  • If both biological parents are found to be carriers for the same genetic condition, there is a 25% chance for their baby to have the same condition.

When you or your baby have higher screening results, our genetic counselors recommend you talk with them. They will go over the risks and other testing options with you.

How is the carrier screening done?

You can complete a genetic carrier screening before, during, or after pregnancy. We will take a blood sample from you. It will take some time to get the results. Your provider will go over the screening results with you when it is complete.

If your partner is unavailable or declines to complete the carrier screening, you may meet with genetic counselors to discuss testing options available to you.

Learn about your risk of hereditary cancer or determine if your unborn baby has a genetic