Be proactive about protecting your future children with preconception genetic testing

Everyone wants to have a healthy baby. One of the best ways to protect your future children from inheritable genetic illnesses is to get preconception genetic testing before you start trying to conceive. Many people don’t realize that they carry a genetic condition that they could pass on to their children. By getting carrier screening from our Dallas-Fort Worth infertility doctors, you can get the information you need to keep your family safe and healthy.

Why is preconception genetic testing important?

Fertility Specialists of Texas as well as the American College of Medical Genetics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend carrier screening. However, many patients aren’t sure why. They assume that they would know if they had a family history of genetic illness. That’s not always the case though.

Most of the common genetic disorders have an autosomal recessive method of inheritance. This means that the illness only occurs if both parents pass the same genetic mutation to their child. If only one parent passes on the genetic mutation, then the child becomes an asymptomatic carrier. However, asymptomatic carriers still have the mutation and can pass it on to their children.

Without preconception genetic testing, two asymptomatic carriers could have a child together and only discover their carrier status when their child is born with the genetic condition. By getting carrier screening, patients can find out whether they’re at risk of passing on a genetic illness. Armed with this information, our Dallas-Fort Worth infertility doctors can help them take steps to have a healthy baby.

How does carrier screening work?

If you would like to get preconception genetic testing, you will only need to provide a cheek swab or a saliva sample. A lab will then screen the sample for multiple autosomal recessive disorders.

If you and your partner both carry the same genetic illness, IVF and PGT-M can determine which embryos have or carry the illness and which ones are healthy. Then, your doctor will transfer one of the healthy embryos to your uterus or the uterus of your gestational carrier.

If you’d like to learn more about carrier screening, our Dallas-Fort Worth infertility doctors can help. Contact us to schedule an appointment and find out more about this simple and inexpensive test that can help protect your future children.