DISCLAIMER: The following post is not intended to act as medical advice. As always, please consult your doctor with any questions about fertility.
MEET OUR PARTNER: MICHIGAN CENTER
FOR FERTILITY AND WOMEN’S HEALTH
Michigan Center for Fertility and Women’s Health (MCFWH) specializes in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. We recognize that infertility takes an emotional and physical toll on couples and thus are dedicated to treating the whole person–body, mind, and spirit–in a sensitive, caring, and private environment.
We have an on-site andrology lab for semen analysis, insemination preparation, and semen cryopreservation. Our endocrinology lab is available for blood hormone testing. Our CAP-certified embryology lab provides assisted reproductive technologies along with Oocyte and embryo cryopreservation. We also offer ultrasounds for diagnosis and treatment of infertility.
You’re not alone on your fertility journey, and we want to make sure you know that. You can visit us at any of our three locations located in Bloomfield Hills, Plymouth, and Warren. To learn more about our services or contact us, you can visit our website.
If you’re trying to grow your family, chances are you’re familiar with the term “genetic carrier screening.” But, do you know exactly what it is and why it’s so important? One or both partners can be screened, allowing your medical team to have better insight into how certain conditions may or may not be passed on to the child.
Our friends from Michigan Center for Fertility and Women’s Health are here to support you on your fertility journey. You might have caught their Fertility Friday series over on our IG page–quick videos to answer common questions and provide information. Below, they’re sharing about genetic carrier screening and what happens after your test results come back.
What is genetic carrier screening?
Genetic carrier screening is a test that your fertility providers may order for you. You may also have it ordered by your OBGYN when you’re starting the process of trying to conceive. At Michigan Center for Fertility and Women’s Health, we receive a lot of questions at that initial visit about the genetic carrier screening test. Patients wonder about what the test includes, what the results mean, and why it is ordered.
Genetic carrier screening is a blood screening test. We offer it to all of our patients at their first new patient visit. It screens for a variety of different conditions to see if a patient is a carrier for any of the diseases listed on the panel. Some of the most common conditions include:
- cystic fibrosis
- spinal muscular atrophy
- thalassemia
Altogether, they can screen for over 700 different conditions depending on what test is ordered.
What does the screening do?
The screening tool checks to see if you’re a carrier for any of the conditions listed on the panel. The test identifies carriers by detecting changes or mutations in specific genes that are associated with inherited diseases (for example, the ones listed above).
The test estimates risk for couples. If both partners are carriers for the same genetic condition, there is typically a 25% chance with each pregnancy that their child could inherit the condition. The results help individuals and couples make decisions regarding planning for children, considering IVF with genetic testing, using donor sperm or eggs, or preparing for a child with special needs.
Genetic carrier screening can be useful for individuals planning to conceive or those with a family history of genetic disorders. It can also be useful for members of certain ethnic groups with higher risks for specific conditions.
Will my partner need to be screened as well?
We generally start with screening for one partner first. If they are positive for any of the conditions, then it is advised to check the other partner. Doing so can determine if they are a carrier couple or not.
What happens after genetic carrier screening is complete?
Once the results are back, it is determined if any additional counseling or information needs to be provided to the couple or individual who completed the testing. If a couple is a carrier for the same condition, genetic counseling is advised. They’ll go over the inheritance pattern and condition-specific information, as well as options for future conception. These options include diagnostic testing in pregnancy such as CVS, amniocentesis, or prescreening of embryos prior to pregnancy (known as PTG-M).
Some conditions are more medically concerning than others. And, others may be considered more manageable if a child were to be affected. Both the genetic counselors and our staff help guide individuals through this process and help determine the best course of action medically, as well as emotionally.
Genetic carrier screening has been an incredibly helpful tool in achieving our goal of a successful and healthy pregnancy. Genetic carrier screening can provide informed reproductive decision making, allow for early detection and options, improve outcomes for future children, bring awareness to family members, and give peace of mind.
