Reproductive Genetics

At the Reproductive Genetics Institute, we offer advanced prenatal diagnostic procedures that can detect genetic disorders before birth, including chorionic villus sampling*, amniocentesis** and First Trimester Screening*** for Down syndrome.

Prenatal diagnosis refers to testing that is performed on the baby during pregnancy. This testing is offered to:

• Pregnant women who will be 35 or older on their due date. This is because the risk for certain birth defects, such as Down syndrome, increases with a woman’s age, regardless of family or medical history.
• Couples in which one or both have a history of certain birth defects or genetic disease.
• Couples who have had a child or pregnancy affected with certain birth defects or genetic disease.
• Couples who have found (through carrier screening) that they are both carriers of the same genetic condition, such as Tay Sachs disease.
• Pregnant women with other abnormal genetic test results.
• Pregnant women wishing to know the paternity of the baby.

*Chorionic Villus Sampling can help the patient avoid the psychological distress associated with waiting an extra five weeks for prenatal diagnosis results. It is fast with results in 3-5 days, accurate, and low risk to both Mom and the baby.

**First Trimester Screening is an earlier non-invasive way for woman to screen for Down Syndrome during pregnancy.

***Amniocentesis is a procedure offered during the second trimester of pregnancy which tests the baby for Down Syndrome and other chromosome problems.