Prospective parents with a family history of inherited diseases or birth defects and those who are considering prenatal testing often can benefit from the genetic counseling services offered by the Women's Health Center. Genetic counseling provides mothers- and fathers-to-be with very important information about their risks for conceiving a child with a genetic abnormality.

Sometimes the process can begin even before pregnancy occurs. In other instances, genetic counselors work with physicians to determine what tests are advisable for high-risk pregnant women and to interpret the results. Some genetically transmitted conditions, such as thalassemia, Tay-Sachs disease, and sickle cell anemia, are more commonly found in people from certain geographic regions or in particular ethnic groups, and specific screening procedures are recommended for them.

Genetic counseling includes taking a detailed family history, explaining pertinent genetic issues, offering the appropriate prenatal tests, and discussing the risks and benefits of the testing so that patients can make informed decisions.

Genetic Counseling services are now available at Huntington Hospital’s Women’s Health Center. Subha Ramanathan, MS. (...more)

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call The Women's Health Center at Huntington Hospital at (631) 351-2564.