The Prenatal Diagnosis Clinic is designed to detect possible birth defects early in a woman's pregnancy, and to help parents cope with the psychological challenges they may face in giving birth and raising a child with special needs.
What is Prenatal Diagnosis?
Prenatal diagnosis is the detection of certain birth defects before a baby is born. It consists of genetic counseling and medical tests during pregnancy.
What Birth Defects Can Be Detected by Prenatal Diagnosis?
- Down's syndrome - Babies with Down's syndrome are mentally and developmentally delayed. They may also experience heart defects or other medical problems.
- Metabolic Disorders - These occur when some of the cells in the body do not function properly. Examples are hemophilia, sickle cell anemia and cystic fibrosis.
- Neural Tube Defects - These are defects of the spines (spina bifida) or of the brain and skull (anecephaly). Spina bifida usually causes paralysis in the lower part of the body. About one in 10 babies born with this condition have some degree of mental retardation. Babies born with anecephaly typically die before or soon after birth.
Who Should Consider Prenatal Diagnosis?
Your physician may suggest prenatal diagnostic tests if:
- You will be 35 years of age or older when your baby is due to be born.
- You have had a child with Down's syndrome or other chromosomal disorder.
- You have a family history of a hereditary disease such as hemophilia or muscular dystrophy.
- You take medicine for seizures (Tegretol or Valproic Acid).
- You have taken specific medications or been exposed to environmental chemicals or agents (such as frequent X-rays).
- You or the baby's father has an unusual chromosomal arrangement.
- You or the baby's father has had a child or other close relative with a neural tube defect.
- You and the baby's father carry the gene for Tay-Sachs disease, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, or cystic fibrosis.
If you have a question about whether you should have prenatal diagnosis, please discuss this with your doctor.
What Does Mercy's Prenatal Diagnosis Center provide?
Genetic Counseling
A counselor will meet with you and:
- Take a family history
- Describe the birth defect for which the baby is at risk.
- Explain the baby's chance of having this birth defect.
- Describe tests available to detect the birth defect.
- Answer questions and discuss concerns you or your partner may have.
Ultrasound (sonogram)
This is a test that uses sound waves to make a picture of the fetus. The sonogram can show the correct age of the fetus and if there are multiple fetuses. It can also detect certain birth defects.
Amniocentesis
This test should be completed between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. Ultrasound is first used to locate the fluid around the fetus. A small amount of the fluid is removed with a thin needle and tested for Down's syndrome, neural tube and other birth defects.
Is Prenatal Diagnosis Safe?
There is no known harm from having an ultrasound. There is a small risk of miscarriage after amniocentesis. Problems with bleeding or infection are rare. More details can be provided to you during your counseling session. You will have the option of proceeding with specific tests after you discuss your options with a genetic counselor or a physician.
What if a Birth Defect is identified?
Your personal physician, a perinatologist or genetic counselor will meet with you to describe the defect and how it may affect the baby. Your advanced knowledge of your baby's special needs may help you prepare mentally and physically for the challenges you may face during your pregnancy and after delivery. This information will also help your physician modify your care during the later part of your pregnancy, in order to meet special needs your baby may have.
Will Prenatal Diagnosis Find All Birth Defects?
No. Many birth defects cannot be found before birth but prenatal diagnosis can detect many serious complications. This knowledge may help parents prepare themselves mentally and physically for the needs of a special child.
Mercy Prenatal Diagnosis Service Staff
The physicians who staff the prenatal diagnosis clinic at Mercy Medical Center are board certified perinatologists for the University of California, Davis Medical Center. In conjunction with Mercy Medical Center Redding, they provide genetic screening, counseling and diagnostic testing in the Redding area. Mercy Medical Center Redding's Prenatal Diagnosis Clinic is state-approved.
Clinic Location & Hours
Physicians will schedule visits twice a month on Wednesdays, between the hours of 8 a.m. to Noon. The appointments will take place on the second floor, north area of the Medical Center in rooms 233 and 234.
Billing
Do not hesitate to seek the important services offered by the clinic due to financial constraints. Many patients are covered under programs by the state of California or their insurance company. In most cases, your physician's office staff will help you pre-qualify for this service through the state of California's AFP program.
Questions?
If you have questions about Prenatal Diagnosis, please talk to your physician, or call the physicians at UC Davis Medical Center, at (916) 734-6930.
