Prenatal services

Our compassionate counselors will help you make informed decisions about your pregnancy

The Prenatal Genetics Clinic at Baylor College of Medicine is one of the largest of its kind in the United States. Our genetic counselors will discuss the health of your pregnancy and make sure you and your baby receive the best possible care.

Genetic counseling

A prenatal genetic counseling visit may be scheduled during your pregnancy to help you better understand your prenatal testing options and your personal risk for genetic conditions or birth defects. This information is intended to help you make informed decisions about genetic testing and the management of your pregnancy.

Your genetic counselor will evaluate potential risk factors by discussing your personal health, family history, prenatal testing and screening results as well as any ultrasound findings. Your genetic counselor can also facilitate genetic testing or screening and will help interpret the results. It can sometimes be difficult to navigate the emotional challenges that surround pregnancy. Our genetic counselors are here to provide you with support and to help you make decisions that align with your personal values and family’s needs.

Average-risk pregnancies

Although the vast majority of pregnancies result in the birth of a healthy baby, everyone has a small chance to have a baby with a birth defect regardless of your personal health, age or family history. Routine screening and testing options are available to evaluate for many of these differences.

High-risk pregnancies

Pregnancies may be at increased risk for a genetic condition, birth defect or other abnormality for various reasons including maternal age, abnormal screening results, abnormal ultrasound findings, a significant personal or family history, or exposure to certain medications or potentially harmful substances.

Pregnancies affected with birth defects and/or genetic syndrome

Discovering your pregnancy is affected with a fetal condition often leaves parents wondering, “Why did this happen?” Our genetic counselors will review your pregnancy and family histories and evaluate for genetic risk factors. Determining the underlying cause will help us predict the prognosis for your baby as well as the chances of the condition happening again in future pregnancies. Genetic counselors provide empathetic care, compassionate family support, and additional referrals and resources when needed.