Genetic Testing in South Charleston, WV
Understanding your baby’s health before and during pregnancy gives you the information you need to make confident, informed decisions about your family’s future. At Patel & Patel, M.D., Inc in South Charleston, WV , we offer comprehensive noninvasive genetic testing as part of our prenatal care and OB/GYN services.
Board-certified OB/GYN Kiran Patel, MD, board-certified family medicine physician Leela Patel, MD, and their experienced team provide personalized genetic counseling and testing to help you understand your baby’s risk for certain inherited conditions — before and during pregnancy. Call (304) 766-4300 today to learn more or schedule a consultation using our online booking tool.
What Is Genetic Testing?
Genetic testing is a valuable component of preconception counseling and prenatal care at Patel & Patel, M.D., Inc. As part of pre-pregnancy planning, genetic testing is performed before conception to determine whether you or your partner carry genes for conditions that could be passed on to your child. The results can provide peace of mind or help you and your partner make important, informed decisions about your future family.
Genetic testing may also be part of your prenatal care if you become pregnant. Your provider at Patel & Patel, M.D., Inc will review your personal and family medical history and help you decide whether genetic testing is right for your situation.
How Is Genetic Testing Performed?
In most cases, genetic testing is a simple blood draw. A sample is collected in our South Charleston, WV office and sent to a lab where it is analyzed for recessive genes associated with specific inherited conditions. If both parents carry the gene for a particular disorder, there is a 25% chance the baby will be born with that condition. Results are reviewed with you in detail so you fully understand what they mean for your family.
What Conditions Can Genetic Testing Detect?
Genetic testing can screen for hundreds of inherited conditions. Some of the most common include:
- Cystic fibrosis
- Sickle cell anemia and other blood disorders
- Fragile X syndrome
- Tay-Sachs disease
- Spinal muscular atrophy
Your provider at Patel & Patel, M.D., Inc may also recommend genetic testing based on your ethnic background, age, or personal and family medical history, as certain populations have a higher prevalence of specific genetic conditions.
What Happens If I Test Positive as a Carrier?
Testing positive as a carrier does not automatically put your future children at risk. Both parents must carry the gene for a condition in order for it to potentially be passed on to a child. If only one parent is a carrier, the risk to your baby is minimal.
If both parents carry a gene for the same condition, your provider at Patel & Patel, M.D., Inc will educate you on what it means to be a carrier, explain the specific condition in detail, discuss the statistical likelihood of your baby being born with it, and walk you through the prenatal testing options available if you choose to proceed with a pregnancy.
Can Genetic Testing Be Done During Pregnancy?
Yes. In addition to preconception testing, genetic testing can be performed during pregnancy as part of your prenatal care. Prenatal genetic testing is particularly recommended if you are 35 or older, have a previous child with a genetic disorder, or have a family history of inherited conditions.
Our team offers noninvasive genetic testing options that can be safely performed during pregnancy to give you important information about your baby’s health without posing a risk to you or your baby.
To learn more about genetic testing at Patel & Patel, M.D., Inc in South Charleston, WV , call (304) 766-4300 or book your appointment online today.
Frequently Asked Questions – Genetic Testing in South Charleston, WV
What is genetic testing and why is it recommended during pregnancy?
Genetic testing screens you and your partner for inherited gene variants that could be passed on to your child. It is recommended as part of preconception counseling or prenatal care to help you understand your baby’s risk for certain conditions and make informed decisions about your pregnancy. Patel & Patel, M.D., Inc in South Charleston, WV offers noninvasive genetic testing for patients throughout Kanawha County and surrounding West Virginia communities.
When should genetic testing be done — before or during pregnancy?
Genetic testing can be done both before conception as part of preconception counseling, and during pregnancy as part of prenatal care. Preconception testing is ideal if you want to understand your carrier status before becoming pregnant. Prenatal testing is especially recommended for women 35 and older or those with a personal or family history of genetic disorders.
How is genetic testing performed at Patel & Patel, M.D., Inc?
In most cases, genetic testing involves a simple blood draw performed right in our South Charleston, WV office. The sample is sent to a lab for analysis of recessive gene variants associated with specific inherited conditions. Results are reviewed with you in detail by your provider at Patel & Patel, M.D., Inc.
What genetic conditions can be detected through carrier screening?
Genetic carrier screening can detect hundreds of inherited conditions including cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, Fragile X syndrome, Tay-Sachs disease, and spinal muscular atrophy, among many others. Your provider at Patel & Patel, M.D., Inc will help determine which screening panels are most appropriate based on your background and medical history.
If I test positive as a carrier, does that mean my baby will have the condition?
Not necessarily. Both parents must carry the gene for the same condition in order for a child to be at risk. If only one parent is a carrier, the risk to your baby is very low. If both parents are carriers, there is a 25% chance the baby will be born with the condition. Your provider at Patel & Patel, M.D., Inc will explain exactly what your results mean and what options are available to you.
Is genetic testing covered by insurance?
Coverage for genetic testing varies by insurance plan. We recommend contacting your insurance provider prior to your appointment to confirm your benefits. Our team at Patel & Patel, M.D., Inc is happy to help answer any questions — call us at (304) 766-4300 for assistance.
Is prenatal genetic testing safe for the baby?
Yes. Patel & Patel, M.D., Inc offers noninvasive genetic testing options during pregnancy that carry no risk to you or your baby. These tests are performed using a blood sample and do not require any invasive procedures. Your provider will discuss all available testing options and help you choose the approach that is right for your individual circumstances.