How to get the most out of prenatal testing services

The decision to proceed with any prenatal testing is a personal one. Having the opportunity to learn about the purpose, benefits, risks and limitations of testing often helps women make an informed choice on testing.

The following information explains what type of counselling is available to help you learn about prenatal testing.

What is pre-test counselling?

Pre-test counselling gives you information before undergoing testing to ensure you have enough information to make an informed choice about whether you want to have testing.

The following questions are generally addressed during pre-test counselling. It may be helpful to use this as your personal check list.

• Why do I want to puruse prenatal testing?
• What are my risks for having a baby with a certain condition or birth defect?
• What are the chances for a healthy baby if I have no testing?
• What tests are available?
• What is the test for?
• What can the test detect?
• How accurate is the test?
• What are the limitations of the testing? What doesn’t the test tell me about my baby?
• Does the test give me a definite ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer about the birth defect or condition (meaning- is it a screening or diagnostic test)?
• Are there medical risks to my health or my pregnancy from the test?
• What will the results mean for me and my pregnancy?
• Will I be offered further testing?
• What options are available should the test results reveal a condition or birth defect?
• What are women’s experiences with anxiety and testing?
• What other prenatal testing options are there?
• Is prenatal testing important to me (Do I want to have this information before the baby is born)?
• Does this test provide the information I want to receive?

How do I get pre-test counselling?

• The Prenatal Genetics Clinic provides a regularly scheduled Prenatal Testing Options class that is open to all pregnant women or women considering a pregnancy. This session outlines all prenatal testing options available and answers the most commonly asked questions.
  
  
• If you are considering amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling, nuchal translucency or first trimester combined screening in Calgary,  pre-test counselling will be part of your scheduled appointment.
  
  
• If you believe you are at increased risk because of your family or medical history, individual prenatal genetic counselling is also available through the Prenatal Genetics Clinic.

What is post-test counselling?

Once you have had testing, post-test counselling will give you:

• An explanation of your test results.
• A chance to ask questions and talk about your concerns.
• An opportunity to share your excitement should the results be reassuring.
• Guidance in making decisions about further testing.

• What are my results?
• How accurate are the results?
• Given the results, what are my chances of having a baby with a chromosome condition or birth defect?
• Given the results, what are the chances of having a healthy baby?
• Will I be offered further testing because of the results?
• Will there be a change to the management of my pregnancy because of these results?

Who provides post-test counselling?

Post-test counselling is part of your nuchal translucency or first trimester screen appointment. For other prenatal tests, your prenatal care provider will often explain the results.

The Prenatal Genetics Clinic can offer further counselling if you still have questions.

What is a genetic counsellor?

A genetic counsellor is a specialized health professional with education, training and experience in medical genetics and support counselling. Genetic counsellors help families understand:

• their family history
• genetic conditions
• genetic testing
• prenatal testing options 
• results of genetic testing
• prenatal screening results

An appointment for genetic counselling in Calgary can be arranged by calling (403) 943-8375.