If you are planning a pregnancy, your doctor can request many tests to help assess the health of both you and your baby. Your doctor may also advice you to take genetic counseling which provides information about the genetic disorders that you and your baby may have. A genetics professional meets with you to discuss genetic risks. You may follow up with genetic testing.

There are many reasons to seek genetic counseling. You may consider it if you

• think that you may have an inherited disorder
• are pregnant or planning to be pregnant after age 35
• already have a child with a genetic disorder or birth defect
• have had two or more pregnancy losses or a baby who died
• have had ultrasound or screening tests that suggest a possible problem
• had a consanguineous marriage
• used alcohol or drug and had viral infection during pregnancy
• are planning of prenatal diagnosis
• exposed to X-ray and received drug treatment during pregnancy