https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 05 May 2026 02:53:26 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/genetic-counseling-2#post-2303137 Sat, 26 Sep 2015 21:13:34 +0000 sarac 2303137@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bloved: Yeah, there are a lot of risk groups that aren't well known outside of the the usual ones. Like, if you are of Cajun descent, you are at higher risk for Tay Sachs - it isn't just Jewish people who have to worry about that one. Lots of stuff like that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/genetic-counseling-2#post-2302956 Sat, 26 Sep 2015 13:26:38 +0000 catlady 2302956@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our hospital schedules these at the same time as the NT scan. The last time (I was 32), they talked about some of our blood work results (tests for things like Tay Sachs and other simple genetic tests) and also what the NT scan findings would mean. This time around, I am AMA so I will get maternity21 and I think they will talk about what that test will look for. It was useful to have someone explain what the test results could mean before actually getting them back. They also talked about next steps if any results came back "positive" (which luckily was not the case for us, but I was glad to know what the next steps would be). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/genetic-counseling-2#post-2302946 Sat, 26 Sep 2015 12:54:51 +0000 bloved 2302946@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tequiero21: that's how I was leaning too. I figured *if* something was flagged, then of course I would seek counseling. But now I wonder if going will help me know better what I should test for? Although I don't know my family history that well, so not sure how much help it would be! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/genetic-counseling-2#post-2302945 Sat, 26 Sep 2015 12:52:53 +0000 bloved 2302945@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms.Badger: @red_seattle: @sarac: that's interesting. I was mainly thinking of it as telling me about the various genetic disorders that exist, not necessarily as influencing what testing I ordered. </p> <p>As terrible as it sounds, part of the reason I am on the fence about going is because it will make the difference between a 1/2 day and full day of work, and time off is incredibly hard to come by now. I think I will talk to my doctor more about it on Monday to see what makes the most sense for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/genetic-counseling-2#post-2302933 Sat, 26 Sep 2015 12:02:36 +0000 sarac 2302933@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Unless you are highly educated in medical genetics, it's a great idea to do it. There are a lot of risk groups that most people are unaware of, and even if you don't fall into one, you still may carry something you want to know about. Various screening tests also work in different ways and return different kinds of results, and being educated about your options there is also a really good choice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/genetic-counseling-2#post-2302834 Sat, 26 Sep 2015 06:02:51 +0000 tequiero21 2302834@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was told to schedule it but I didn't want to go so I didn't. I don't think it's necessary. Except maybe if you are high risk for something. Some races are more prone to stuff than others. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/genetic-counseling-2#post-2302825 Sat, 26 Sep 2015 02:36:01 +0000 red_seattle 2302825@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not over 35, but I am, essentially, a carrier for trisomy 13. Between my 2 pregnancies, I've done all the tests-- the cell-free DNA test (not an option with my 1st pregnancy since DS arrived just after the cell free DNA tests hit the market), a CVS, and an amnio. The genetic counseling is incredibly helpful, I highly recommend it. I've known my carrier status my whole life, and I have worked very hard -- long before I was ready to have kids-- to understand my options, inheritance patterns, maternal age risk factors, how testing works, all facets of this,-- as best as I could as a lay person. And I still found I had lots of questions each time I've spoken with our genetic counselor. Speaking with them is worth it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/genetic-counseling-2#post-2302792 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 22:09:05 +0000 Den mom 2302792@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was not offered GC. I agree it would make me more nervous while waiting for results, however I've read more online than I should so it probably wouldn't be any different. I had the lab work for the Harmony test yesterday. I am anxiously waiting the results. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/genetic-counseling-2#post-2302781 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 21:46:29 +0000 Ms.Badger 2302781@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Harmony only tests for trisomies, I'm unsure if they look for any trisomies other than 13, 18, 21, and sex chromosomes. They also don't look for any inherited disorders. </p> <p>I think it's great they suggest you see a GC. I'm sure if there are any genetic disease in your family they will suggest you and your partner get carrier screening (I believe counsel is the most common). It's also an opportunity to ask about cancer testing if there's a significant amount of cancer in your family. PCP in my experience aren't very knowledgable about genetic testing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/genetic-counseling-2#post-2302778 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 21:36:48 +0000 bloved 2302778@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@starrie_nyte: that makes sense. My appt is 45minutes to 1 hour. That just seems like a lot of counseling for "what if" situations. To me it seems like it makes more sense to offer the counseling afterwards, if something is flagged. Otherwise I feel like even if they mention it, I won't remember much about it because it won't have context beforehand.</p> <p>@autumnleaves: my girlfriend said it was helpful for the same reason- it told her what tests to get. My question (which i may have to ask my doctor) is: doesn't the harmony cover almost everything? Or is it at this counseling I am supposed to pick what I want tested as part of the harmony test? </p> <p>@Canoli: won't the gender be part of the harmony test? Or is that something separate? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/genetic-counseling-2#post-2302739 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 19:38:05 +0000 Canoli 2302739@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@starrie_nyte: this is pretty much how I feel. Plus if something was found it would in no way change what I would do with the pregnancy but I would want to know all of the resources and have all of the possible support to educate myself about what to expect. Plus at the genetic counseling is when they do the blood test to determine the sex of baby. I did this with my last pregnancy because I was 35 when I delivered and will do it again (will be 37). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/genetic-counseling-2#post-2302716 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 19:05:00 +0000 fancyfunction 2302716@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No, they never mentioned it, just scheduled me for the Harmony test. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/genetic-counseling-2#post-2302703 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 18:46:26 +0000 travellingbee 2302703@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No we heard no mention of it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/genetic-counseling-2#post-2302682 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 17:59:19 +0000 hellobeeboston 2302682@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did this with my first LO when I was 32, so this time around pregnant at 35 we didn't have to initially. We did the Harmony test and were offered the chance to speak with a genetic counselor after our anatomy scan but didn't. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/genetic-counseling-2#post-2302666 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 17:28:17 +0000 autumnleaves 2302666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had to go through it with my first LO. Now that I am expected LO2 - I asked not to go through it again and they said that was fine. I was frustrated by it the first time because they took my history and told me about all the risks and what the tests offered but they couldn't tell me what my insurance covered though they had my insurance info. I had to call my insurance company with the codes for all the tests and after that decided not to go forward with all the tests - I was having LO regardless of what they found out. Now I did end up getting the Materni21 test after my Level II ultrasound because they found a cyst in the brain with the US. This time around I think I am going to wait till after the US again - wait and see if there are any concerns identified with that before having additional tests. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/genetic-counseling-2#post-2302657 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 17:18:17 +0000 starrie_nyte 2302657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With my doctor and hospital they advise the genetic counseling to make sure you understand everything and that the screening tests aren't diagnostic, so they explain that even a positive result isn't necessarily definitively a diagnosis of a trisomy. So my genetic counseling was a 20 min appointment where they explained the tests and what they would mean and I gave a family history of medical conditions and any birth defects/chromosomal abnormalities that I was aware of with both of our families. It is not necessary but if any of my tests had come back abnormal I would have appreciated already being familiar with them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/genetic-counseling-2#post-2302610 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 16:32:00 +0000 bloved 2302610@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you are over 35, did your doctor make you get genetic counseling before your harmony test? My doctor' office does this as a matter of practice for women over 35, and I'm just wondering the point of it. It seems like unnecessary worry beftore you know anything is wrong. I am thinking of refusing it, but I am wondering if I'm missing something. If you had it, Did you find it helpful? </p>