Preparing for the future

Willow Midwives offers multiple genetic screening tests with clear, actionable results to help you understand your personal genetic risk factors and those of your offspring.

Non-invasive Genetic Carrier Screen is started by drawing your blood and identifies disorders you may carry without your awareness. An example is Cystic Fibrosis. These conditions ONLY affect your offspring if both who contribute the genetic material carry the same chromosomal abnormality. The testing of your other will be recommended as a next step (if you are identified as a carrier). If both are carriers, you will be referred to a genetic counselor and specialized care if needed. Testing can be performed prior to pregnancy or at any point during the pregnancy and only tests the adult genetic makeup.

Non-invasive Prenatal Screen known as NIPT or NIPS is started by drawing your blood and is usually drawn alongside the Genetic Carrier screen. By identifying fetal cells circulating in the pregnant person’s blood, the lab is able to determine certain (but not all) conditions in the fetus. Along with helping you make the most informed choices for your family, the NIPT screen (by virtue of being able to identify sex-linked disorders like Turner Syndrome as well as Trisomies 13, 18, and 21) also tells you the genetic sex of the baby as early as 10 weeks.

Hereditary Cancer Screening can be provided by Willow Midwives for risk detection and prevention of inherited cancers like breast, ovarian, fallopian tube, pancreatic, stomach, and uterine cancer. Since these genetic variants are found across families, this test can help your siblings, parents, and children make decisions about their own health and lifestyle as well.

Ask your Willow Midwife about these and other tests you have questions about.