New- importance of genetic couselling?

DebbieCakes77

Hi all.

Im Debbie, Im almost 12 weeks pregnant with my 3rd. I just turned 35 in July. I received a few calls from our public health encouraging me to get in for genetic counselling. I wonder, since im barely 35, the importance of this?

The only reason I havent returned the call is that I would like to talk to the OB about this and my appointment is next Thursday. Also, Ive had a few issues with the baby and that has kept me busy and exhausted. I had a bleed at 7 weeks, another and 9, and and 11 weeks was hospitalized with the most brutal gall bladder attack. Ive had 4 ultrasounds. The bleeding was a small placental bleed that has been confirmed to have healed over. I was assured this is common and some women have this during their whole pregnancy. Also, baby is great, strong, and matches dates for size and such.

Honestly, I dont know anything about the dangers of an over 35 pregnancy, or if being just 35 is a real cause for concern. Im going to do a little reading and ask the OB next week. Just looking for some thoughts on the topic...

 

 

mrsjami

If you are doing sequential or integrated screen you can see what your odds are. If anything is worrisome they recommend genetic counseling and possibly amnio.

stever

It's always a personal decision. Docs use 'over 35' as a guideline and 'just turned 35' is still over 35.

I conceived DS1 before my 35th birthday and was still considered AMA. I had a NT scan with both my pregnancies.

eta: changed 45th birthday to 35th

Assembly_Reqd

DebbieCakes77:

I received a few calls from our public health encouraging me to get in for genetic counselling.

WTF. A few calls, too???

How the heck did they even know you were pregnant??? I would seriously loose it if someone was up in my business like that.

danuli8

I think the plus of talking to a genetic counselor is that you can really learn about all of your testing options so you can make decisions that you will be comfortable with. If it were me, I would talk to the GC. It can't hurt.

Assembly_Reqd, I suspect that the OP is from somewhere outside the US.

DebbieCakes77

 

 TO ALL

My dr did ask if she could refer me, and after talking to her nurse(because i ended up with a few calls, a letter in the mail and then they called my dr on me for not calling back- i was NOT impressed with this and honestly the times she called I was in hospital dealing with a small bleed and a gall bladder issue)- the nurse said they like patients to talk to them first simply because she doesnt have the time to go through the detail the couselor would.

Im in Ontario, Canada, btw,

So, i took the appointment, and honestly feel kind of bullied into it all. I agreed to the bloodwork and NT scan, and although im pretty sure im not up for amnio, she was really persistant on booking the amnio appointment anyway, 'just in case'

I said Id get back to her. Id like to see where the bloodwork/NT scan puts us. I have had 4 ultrasounds already and the dr said everything looks amazing. Not that its certain...

Public Health scared me more than informed me.

Thanks for the tips, girls. Sorry for the delay in reply

valkyriemama

I turned 35 in April so even though I conceived in February when I was 34 they still referred me to genetic counseling.  I didn't do any of the testing other than a higher level ultrasound because my hubby and I don't have any genetic issues that bothered them.  We'd initially been told to expect amnio, but they decided against it.  They went over the risks and how they increase sharply with age over 35.  Since I conceived at 34 I really wasn't bothered.

lovelyday39

DebbieCakes77:

 

 TO ALL

My dr did ask if she could refer me, and after talking to her nurse(because i ended up with a few calls, a letter in the mail and then they called my dr on me for not calling back- i was NOT impressed with this and honestly the times she called I was in hospital dealing with a small bleed and a gall bladder issue)- the nurse said they like patients to talk to them first simply because she doesnt have the time to go through the detail the couselor would.

Im in Ontario, Canada, btw,

So, i took the appointment, and honestly feel kind of bullied into it all. I agreed to the bloodwork and NT scan, and although im pretty sure im not up for amnio, she was really persistant on booking the amnio appointment anyway, 'just in case'

I said Id get back to her. Id like to see where the bloodwork/NT scan puts us. I have had 4 ultrasounds already and the dr said everything looks amazing. Not that its certain...

Public Health scared me more than informed me.

Thanks for the tips, girls. Sorry for the delay in reply

Sorry you had this experience And I am the same re:amnio- I really wanted to avoid it at all costs. I wasn't going to totally rule it out if something insane came up. But, just for general knowledge, it wasn't worth it. Luckily our NT came out great and the doc said she wouldn't recommend an amnio at that pt. Good luck w/your NT! Hope all results are excellent!

DebbieCakes77

Thanks! I go Tuesday! Ill be sure to update:)