Benefits of Genetic Counseling

Genetic counseling is beneficial to: 

• People with birth defects such as spina bifida, heart defects, cleft lip/palate and developmental difficulties 
• Family history of a chromosome abnormality such as Down syndrome or Turner syndrome
• People with increased risk of a genetic disorder to ethnic background such as Sickle Cell Anemia or Tay Sachs disease 
• Families with concern about heredity and cancer
• Pregnant women who will deliver at age 35 or older 
• Women who have pregnancy complications due to diabetes, seizures, exposure to medications, infections, chemicals or street drugs or alcohol 
• Women who have had an abnormal ultrasound or Triple Screen test/Quad Screen
• Couples who have experienced infertility or adverse pregnancy outcomes such as stillbirth, newborn death, infertility or three or more unexplained miscarriages