Maternal-Fetal Medicine Genetic Counseling & Screening

Prenatal and preconception genetic counseling involves a thorough review of age-related risk, exposure history, medical and pregnancy history, family history and ethnicity, as well as a discussion about available prenatal testing options and coordination of testing. At Atlantic Health System, patients referred for prenatal diagnosis and invasive genetic testing, such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and/or amniocentesis, have genetic counseling prior to their visit.

All Atlantic Maternal-Fetal Medicine genetic counselors are board-certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling. Our health care professionals are experienced in helping families understand available testing options, birth defects and how inheritance works. They provide information that helps families make personal decisions about pregnancy and genetic testing.

We offer common maternal-fetal genetic tests, including:

• Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
• Amniocentesis
• Carrier screening for cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy, fragile X, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, Ashkenazi Jewish carrier screening, pan-ethnic carrier screening, etc.
• Prenatal screening (cell-free fetal DNA testing) – Harmony, MaterniT21, etc.
• First trimester screening, including nuchal translucency ultrasound
• Other first and second trimester screening options – quad (tetra) screen, sequential screening, integrated screening and/or maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
• When needed, the Atlantic Fetal Diagnostic and Treatment Center at Morristown Medical Center is available for pregnant women who are carrying a baby with a congenital anomaly (birth defect) or other condition which may require multidisciplinary care.