Your family medical history is important, especially when you are expecting. It can identify the risk of genetic disorder and conditions. It is essential that you and your doctor are well aware about these conditions. This will help preventing or at the most lessening the risk of your baby having similar disorders.
Family Medical History
Before you plan a baby, you must visit a doctor. If you know about some disorders or conditions that your family may have, make sure you share the inputs with your doctor. This will help the doctor to provide you with optimum guidance. Family history may reveal genetic patterns such as:
- Autosomal (dominant or recessive)
- Mitochondrial
- X-linked
- Multifactorial
- Sporadic
Analyzing the family medical history will help you plan your pregnancy better. It provides information to guide genetic testing. Before pregnancy, you can get better advice for reproductive decisions.
Genetic Counselling for family medical history
In this process a genetic counsellor, help you in understanding genetic information. Genetic testing is a part of the counselling. It also provides with personal and family health history. A pedigree (family tree) is created to document your family history. You can consult your genetic counsellor from the comfort of your home. With the help of telehealth technology, you can virtually visit them. You can ask your OB-GYN to refer you to a good genetic counsellor. You should collect as much information as possible. Both paternal and maternal side’s health information is essential.
Genetic Disorder Counselling is important if
- You have a known family history of genetic conditions.
- You are over 35 years or older.
What is Genetic Disorder Testing?
Genetic testing helps in detecting various diseases or illness that can happen due to genetic changes. It involves the examination of your DNA. If you are pregnant or planning, you should do for genetic testing. A genetic counsellor can help you with the overall process.
- Positive result: Not always imply that the genetic disease or condition will develop.
- Negative result: Genetic Conditions does not exist. However, in some cases, it can be wrong.
Common Genetic Disorder
More than 200 inherited conditions can be present in families. Prior to pregnancy, genetic testing will reveal whether genetic conditions are present in your genes or not. It tells whether it could be passed on to your new-born. These genetic conditions include:
- Spinal muscular atrophy
- Sickle cell disease
- Haemoglobin disorders
- Cystic fibrosis
- Fragile X syndrome
- Tay-Sachs disease
For more information on tracking your family medical history, visit OvenYr.com. Book a tele-appointment today to speak to the doctor.