HealthPartners - Your guide to pregnancy

Most babies are born healthy. But some may have a problem with their genes or chromosomes. This is called a genetic abnormality. If the baby’s genes are damaged or they don’t have the right number of chromosomes, the baby may develop a serious health condition or birth defect.

GENETIC TESTING

If a parent or family member has a genetic abnormality, it can be passed to the baby. Genetic abnormalities can also happen randomly, even if there are no risk factors. It’s important that you give your health care provider as much information as you can about your family history and the baby’s father’s family history. If you identify relatives on either side of your baby’s family with a positive history of a certain genetic condition, you can consider undergoing carrier screening for that condition or others. You may also benefit from genetic counseling. It is your decision whether to have any or all of the recommended genetic tests.

GENETIC ABNORMALITIES: QUESTIONS to ASK

Have you had 3 or more miscarriages?

Have you, your baby’s father, or anyone in either family had: • Cystic fibrosis • Down syndrome • Hemophilia • Intellectual disability • Muscular dystrophy • Neural tube defect • Sickle cell disease • Spina bifida • Spinal muscular atrophy • Tay-Sachs disease • Thalassemia

3

1

Do you, your baby’s father, or a close relative in either family have any inherited genetic or chromosomal disorders not listed in question 1? Are you, your baby’s father, or a close relative on either side: • Of Jewish ancestry? • Descended from Eastern Europeans? • Have ancestors from the Mediterranean?

4

?

5

Have you or your baby’s father had a stillborn child or a child born with a defect not listed above?

2

10 Your Guide to A Healthy Pregnancy