Genetic tests are primarily used to establish a clinical diagnosis. They also come with the added benefits of predicting prognosis, identifying carriers, and can guide reproductive planning. With women opting for delayed pregnancies and lifestyles, and with the prevalence of consanguinity in certain parts of the country, there is an elevated risk of children being born with genetic disorders

There are three different types of genetic screening tests that are offered at Brattleboro OB/GYN. The first trimester screening test involves having blood drawn and obtaining an ultrasound at some point during the first 10 to 13 weeks of pregnancy. Another type of blood test that can be done during a woman’s second trimester, called a Quad Screen, looks at the levels of four specific substances in the pregnant woman’s blood to help calculate her risk.