By VANESSA McCRAY
TRAVERSE CITY -- Genetic counseling and testing is available in Traverse City through twice-monthly perinatology clinics at Munson Medical Center.
Certified Genetic Counselor Jenifer Carmody said it is standard for doctors to offer genetic testing to pregnant women ages 35 and older. Others ask testing questions about conditions that run in the family or an ethnic group or to better prepare to care for the birth of a child with a condition. Patients are usually referred to the clinic by their physician.
Dr. Russel Jelsema of West Michigan Obstetricians and Gynecologists travels to Traverse City for the clinic and also sees women with high-risk pregnancies, including those with diabetes or who are expecting multiples.
Carmody talks about issues with the patient. Following a test, they help coordinate any needed specialists or resources.
"Some people do testing because they want good news. They are so concerned," she said. "Some people do testing because they would decide they wouldn't want to carry a pregnancy with a certain condition."
Carmody said prenatal testing is not about abortion. Some families want to know if their baby will have a certain condition so they can do everything they can to prepare. Others who learn their child will not live long make special plans for the delivery, such as making sure all loved ones are present for the birth, she said.
Women also can consult with the clinic prior to a pregnancy to assess risk.
The local clinic does not offer preimplantation diagnosis because it is a "very specialized testing," Carmody said. Patients who seek embryo testing can come to the clinic to discuss options and can be referred elsewhere for testing.
