Are you looking for a simpler way to start a family? You dream of having a child to bring your family joy and complete your life, but not every couple is blessed with the ability to have a baby on their own. Whether you’re a same-sex couple wishing for a child or a couple who has struggled with fertility in the past, IVF and surrogacy are other options for beginning your family journey.
When you choose to take the next step and come to a fertility clinic like Western Fertility Institute, we work with you to bring your dreams to life and bring a baby into the world — and we won’t stop until your child is in your arms. Before you begin treatment, however, we follow a few procedures to make sure you have the best chance of a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby. Here’s what you need to know about prenatal genetic screening before you start a family.
What Is Prenatal Genetic Testing?
As a medical test designed for prospective parents, genetic testing is a safe, simple way to check what genes you’ll pass to your baby. Using a blood sample, your doctor analyzes your genes to gain an understanding of your family history and which of your genes you’re most likely to give to your baby.
We use this test to give you and your partner insight into your health, to see if you have any possibility of passing along a genetic disease, and to determine your best chance of having a healthy pregnancy or surrogacy.
Where to Get Genetic Testing Before Pregnancy
When you come to Western Fertility Institute, we guide you through every step of the prenatal, fertilization, pregnancy or surrogacy process from conception to birth — and that includes genetic testing before pregnancy. You don’t need to worry about a referral to a genetic specialist when you make your fertility plan with us. We will be intimately familiar with your family and your genetics before we even begin with fertilization.
What We Look for During a Genetic Screening for Dads
When you or your partner come for a genetic screening, we look for abnormal genes that could potentially lead to genetic disorders in your baby. These diseases are often called “recessive diseases” because they require a specific gene from both parents for the child to inherit the condition. Some of these abnormal genes are more likely to be present in certain races or more likely to develop in one gender. We analyze your genetic results to provide you with peace of mind or explain the percentage of possibility that one or both partners will pass a specific gene.
What Can Genetic Testing Tell You?
The FDA currently allows any potential parents providing sperm or eggs to be clinically tested to check for conditions like:
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Sickle Cell Disease
- Fragile X Syndrome
- Tay-Sachs Disease
- Thalassemia
- And more
Build a Family With Western Fertility Institute
When you’re looking for a comfortable, caring and complete experience starting a family of your own, Western Fertility Institute is here to help every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more about genetic screening for dads and any couple.