There is a 2 to 3 % risk for every couple to have a baby with birth defects of inherited genetic disorders even if there is not a family history of any such problems, and regardless of the mother’s age. Prenatal genetic services can help prevent or detect these disorders for better management, as well as provide reassurance of a healthy baby to the vast majority of women.

One of the most important things you can do is to take multivitamin supplement that contains 0.4 mg of folic acid daily if you are planning pregnancy, or could become pregnant, and during the early months of pregnancy. Taking this vitamin has been shown to decrease the risk for certain birth defects by 50%. Also, stop or reduce smoking, and avoid alcohol and other drugs if you could or do become pregnant. If you are on any medications on a routine or frequent basis, discuss the safety of these with your doctor.

If you are under thirty-five years of age, there is a simple blood test that can indirectly look for some of the most common birth defects that can occur even if you don’t have a family history of them. This test is called a "Maternal Serum Alpha Feto-protein Screening Test" (AFP), and can be done at about four months of pregnancy. The vast majority of women taking the test will receive reassuring results. For a few, further testing might be recommended, even though most of those will have normal results.

If you will be thirty-five or older at the time of delivery, have previously had a child or a family history of a child being born with birth defects or genetic dis-orders, have diabetes or a seizure disorder, have used alcohol/drugs or other unsafe medications during the pregnancy, have had several miscarriages, are blood-related to the father of the baby, or a member of an ethnic group known to have a high incidence of genetic disease, you should have genetic counseling. Genetic counseling can help determine if there are increased risk to your baby or future pregnancies, help you understand what, if any, the risks are, and what testing could be done to provide reassurance.

Talk with your physician or medical clinic about the AFP test or a referral for genetic counseling. Remember, one of the most important reasons for prenatal genetic services is to provide you with peace of mind!