Where Can I Get Genetic Counseling?
Often, genetic counselors aren’t doctors. Instead, they’re professionals to whom your doctor may refer you before you undergo genetic testing. Genetic counselors specialize in working with doctors who perform a wide range of genetic assessments. These counselors also serve as part of your healthcare team, providing you with valuable information.
You may also receive genetic counseling from a medical specialist, such as Dr. Felix Cohen, who is a board certified obstetrician and gynecologist, as well as the founder and director of Cohen Medical Practice (CMP New York). Dr. Cohen provides exceptional genetic counseling in addition to a full range of other gynecological services, such as:
- Annual gynecological exams and cancer screenings/li>
- Genetic screenings
- Fertility services, ranging from semen analysis to artificial insemination to the anti-mullerian hormone test
- Pregnancy evaluations
- Family planning services
What Is Genetic Counseling?
Genetic counseling is a process designed to help you and your family determine whether you want to undergo genetic testing, how it may help you make informed healthcare decisions and what types of assessments you and your family need to feel healthy and prepared for potential risks.
One of the most common types of genetic counselling revolves around family planning. When you’re ready to become pregnant and stop taking birth control, you may desire genetic counseling that taps into questions you may have about:
- What conditions and diseases run in your family that may be passed on to your children, which can be discovered through a family history risk assessment during your counseling session
- Whether giving birth to a child with a birth defect in the past means your current pregnancy is at risk, which can be assessed with a pregnancy genetic test
If previous instances of miscarriages, stillborn births or ectopic pregnancies affect your next pregnancy
Can I Undergo Genetic Counseling While I’m Pregnant and After the Baby Is Born?
Genetic counseling while you’re pregnant may be recommended if you haven’t received testing before you got pregnant and have a history of pregnancy problems. A family history of problem pregnancies also may warrant a counseling session. You may want to undergo DNA investigation to help you decide if genetic testing is useful if you have:
- An abnormal blood test
- An infection
- Been exposed to x-rays or certain chemicals
Your genetic counselor guides your decisions about whether to have genetic testing done while you’re pregnant. These tests are performed by taking a small sample of amniotic fluid from around the fetus. You can also work with a genetic counselling professional for genetic testing of your newborn, so you can begin monitoring and treatment when a risk is discovered due to:
- A family history of certain conditions
- The child showing signs of a birth defect or developmental disorder
- Obvious hearing or vision problems
What’s the Difference Between Pre-Test vs. Post-Test Counseling?
Counseling before you undergo genetic testing helps you make decisions about whether to even get the tests. It can answer questions and help you navigate family issues surrounding the process.
You may need a third party to help you answer your family’s questions, such as:
- Whether the tests are safe
- How much personal information will the counselor ask of family members
- What you can learn from the results and what to do with that information
Post-testing counseling is when your genetic counselor explains the results of the tests and tells you about your options. Having an experienced genetic-focused doctor as your counselor is vital during this time to get clear medical advice to make the best, most effective decisions for your health and for your family’s future.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Genetic Testing?
The primary purpose of genetic counseling is to inform you of the pros and cons of genetic testing. This requires an in-depth knowledge and understanding of your medical and family history.
Your counselor explains benefits such as:
- Learning about the risks your children may be exposed to and taking steps to mitigate potential problems
- Finding out how high a risk you have of developing cancer due to your family history and being able to make lifestyle adjustments and increase cancer screenings that may catch it early
- Discovering whether you have the gene associated with breast cancer and talking to your doctor about early steps to avoid complications
- Being able to get the appropriate monitoring and treatment for your child, long before they show any symptoms
- Getting the earliest treatment for breast cancer because you underwent early cancer detection testing
A genetic counselor can also explain the cons of genetic testing, which primarily are emotional and psychological. While the actual physical testing requires only a sample of fluids containing DNA samples, the problems of coping with negative results may be overwhelming. Having positive support can make all the difference.
Receive compassionate, experienced genetic counseling at CMP New York to help you deal with deciding to undergo genetic testing and with learning how to manage the results. Dr. Cohen and his team offer a full range of feminine health and gynecological services, so they’re perfectly suited to advise you on genetic testing. Contact Dr. Cohen today to schedule your consultation.