Why Choose the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Diagnostic Center?
Our team of maternal-fetal medicine specialists and prenatal genetic counselors have extensive training and experience in prenatal genetic testing. Providers throughout the Mountain West regularly refer patients to our center for many reasons:
-
We offer all available options for prenatal testing. These options include chorionic villus sampling鈥攁n advanced procedure that few centers in the region offer.
-
We have the skills to help you choose the best test for your needs. We know how to interpret test results accurately and explain them in an easy-to-understand way.
-
Our genetic counselors may also help you understand your insurance requirements and payment options.
What Are Prenatal Genetic Tests?
Prenatal genetic tests can show whether certain genetic conditions could affect a fetus (unborn baby that grows in a person鈥檚 uterus). These tests may screen for common genetic conditions or specific conditions that run in your family:
Prenatal genetic testing is optional. Your health care provider will explain your testing options and help you decide if genetic tests are right for you.
Prenatal Genetic Testing
The tests you may want or need depend on your risks, goals, and preferences. We categorize these tests into two groups:
Prenatal Genetic Screening Tests
Screening tests can help us identify whether your fetus is high-risk or low-risk for genetic conditions. The tests do not provide definitive answers. You may also get a positive result but not actually have the condition, and vice versa.
- Blood tests: There are different types of blood tests. These tests may evaluate your hormone or protein levels. We may also look at the DNA strands from the placenta. The placenta is the organ that develops inside your uterus and gives your baby nutrients and oxygen. Blood tests can be drawn at any 香蕉视频 of Utah Health laboratory.
- Ultrasound: We perform ultrasounds in your first or second trimester. These tests look for physical features (markers) or other irregularities that could point to a genetic condition or chromosome difference.
Prenatal Diagnostic Tests
Diagnostic tests can show whether your fetus has a genetic condition. These tests require a procedure to collect the sample for testing. A maternal-fetal medicine provider will take either a tissue sample from your placenta or an amniotic fluid sample during one of these procedures. Then we perform genetic testing on the sample.
- Amniocentesis: We perform this procedure as early as 15 weeks of pregnancy. A maternal-fetal medicine provider inserts a needle through your abdomen over your uterus. They take a sample of amniotic fluid, the fluid surrounding your baby. The amniotic fluid contains genetic material from the fetus. We test this material to look for genetic conditions.
- Chorionic villus sampling: We perform this procedure when you are about 11-13 weeks pregnant. A maternal-fetal medicine provider inserts a needle through your abdomen to reach the placenta. They collect a tissue sample from the placenta for testing.
Both of these tests are performed at the Maternal-Fetal Diagnostics Center in Area E of 香蕉视频 of Utah Hospital.
What Is Carrier Screening?
Carrier screening is a test that evaluates whether you, your partner, or both of you have a genetic change (variant) that points to a specific genetic disorder. You may have a gene variant even if you do not have symptoms of the condition.
We perform carrier screening tests using a blood or saliva sample. You can complete carrier screening before or during your pregnancy. Carrier screenings don鈥檛 show whether a fetus has a genetic condition. Diagnostic tests clarify whether or not a fetus has the condition if your carrier screening test is positive.
Prenatal Genetic Testing Cost
The cost of prenatal genetic testing varies. Your insurance plan may cover some tests but not others. Our insurance team can review your insurance benefits. Our genetic counselors can discuss these benefits with you so that you know what to expect.
You may have access to lower-cost testing options if you do not have insurance coverage. Our goal is to help you understand your options and potential costs before completing genetic testing so that you can make the best decision for your situation.
Make an Appointment
You need a referral to schedule an appointment with our genetic counselors or maternal-fetal medicine specialists. Your provider may call 801-581-2929.
Maternal-Fetal Diagnostics Center Team
Meet Our Patients
A Journey of Resilience and Hope: From Motherhood to Patient Coordinator
Rachel Harbert wanted to start a family, but her path to pregnancy tested her resilience. After five years of fertility treatments, she conceived twins, a boy and a girl. Her son Preston was born prematurely at 27 weeks.
