Genetic Testing during Pregnancy

Apart from the normal pregnancy related blood and urine tests and check ups, a complicated yet one of the possible tests is a genetic test during pregnancy. While the other tests are basically undertaken to know the health status of the mother to-be and the baby, genetic test basically involves the detailed study of the genotype of the mom and thus the baby. Genetic testing has been associated with knowing the sex of the baby for a long time now however, there is much more to what we are familiar as human genetics. So let's get an insight of this much debatable yet interesting topic; genetic testing during pregnancy.

Genetic Tests

Genetic Tests during Pregnancy	Principle Involved
Maternal Serum Screening	blood testing for the diagnosis of Down's Syndrome or Spina Bifada
Amniocentesis	studying the genetic problems in babies using the amniotic fluid
Chronic Villus Sampling	studying the genetic problems in babies using the placental tissue and thus DNA testing
Cystic Fibrosis Testing	undertaken only if there is a family history of cystic fibrosis since it is a sex-linked disorder

An important thing to understand here is, these tests are not recommended just for the heck of it, rather done only in worst and crucial conditions. However, you can undertake the genetic testing and screening for safer side. When I said that it is difficult to undergo such tests meant the risk involved here as well as some of the ethical issues. Let's see what they are.

• Since these tests involve the use of needles to which many women are not comfortable with, pregnant females avoid this test.
• Another important reason is the approval of tests by their respective religions and countries. There are very few health centers worldwide which provide this facility.
• Carrying these tests is harmful to the baby's health and might result in abortion or miscarriage and thus recommended not to carry out these tests.
• Also, few females want to avoid going through the stress and depression associated with such a test and the results, of course.

Pros and Cons

Pros
Talking about the pros, genetic tests have always been very accurate, almost 100% than the conventional ones since it involves chromosome testing which gives the exact genetic traits of the baby. Also, the tests involve use of expensive infrastructure, chemicals and devices owing to which the results can never be estimated wrongly. As per the statistics, genetic testing has been done for identification and diagnosis of some genetic disorders better known as congenital diseases. For instance, if genetic testing results during pregnancy prove the baby to have been diagnosed with a fatal genetic disorder, it would not be allowed to born, resulting in abortion.

Cons
Apart from the ethical issues mentioned above, an important reason to avoid such a test is the mind state of the couple. An abortion or an accidental miscarriage can be very depressing and difficult to deal with which practically involves killing a life. Abortion has been a matter of debate for a long time now for which go through the abortion facts.

It would be fair enough to undergo a genetic testing during pregnancy only if you have a family history of genetic disorders. Also, if you indulge into excessive smoking or drinking, it would require you to undergo such a test. However, if you follow a good pregnancy diet, follow a healthy lifestyle and take appropriate rest, the risk factor diminishes to a greater extent. Take care!