Genetic Counseling Speak with Your Seven Hills Dr

N. Rampart Blvd. esources and eferrals R R 10105 Banburry Cross Dr. The prenatal genetic counselors at Desert Suite 430

Banbu rry C ro ss D Perinatal Associates are active in the Las r .

Summerlin T Hospital Summerlin Pkwy

215 Medical Ctr o N. Hualapai Way Vegas medical community. Often, they work w

C W. Charleston

with other genetic counselors and physicians n

that specialize in pediatrics or adult medicine r W. Sahara Ave.

. to ensure that each patient and their family S. Decatur Blvd receives comprehensive healthcare. In particular, 15 N W. Flamingo RD the genetic counselors at Desert Perinatal W E W. Tropicana Avenue Associates have a working relationship with S W. Russell RD medical geneticists in the area and they work 5761 S. Fort Apache Rd (Corner of Russel & Fort Apache) closely with several of the fertility specialists Fort Apache Rd. S. Rainbow Blvd in Las Vegas and can identify couples that S. Durango Dr. S. Eastern may benefit from a consult.

160 Interested patients will also be provided with the most up-to-date educational resources Map not to scale. and contact information for national and local 3001 W. Horizon Ridge Pkwy. support sources. W. Horizon Ridge Pkwy S. Green Valley Pkwy. If you are wondering whether you may be eligible for genetic counseling speak with your Seven Hills Dr. physician and ask for a referral. The genetic counselors at Desert Perinatal Associates are also available if you have further questions.

THREELOCATIONS: 5761 S. Fort Apache Road Las Vegas, Nevada 89148 (Corner of Russell & Fort Apache) 10105 Banburry Cross Dr., Suite 430 Las Vegas, NV 89144 (Next to Summerlin Hospital) Genetic 3001 W. Horizon Ridge Pkwy. Henderson, NV 89052 Counseling (Next to St. Rose Siena Hospital)

TELEPHONE (702) 341-6610 FAX (702) 341-6961 WWW.DESERTPERINATALASSOCIATES.COM Jennifer is pregnant at age 35 and she has heard that happens during a Genetic there is an increased risk for birth defects. Now she What has many questions. Sarah has experienced her third, Counseling session? unexplained miscarriage. She Typically, a genetic counseling session is scheduled is worried about becoming for one hour. The genetic counselor will complete pregnant again. Eric is planning a detailed history on your personal health and a family, but his brother was pregnancy. Then they will born with a heart defect. He is record information on your wondering whether he should family history, going back health, and clinical education. They receive certifi cation be concerned. A prenatal at least three generations through the American Board of Genetic Counseling to genetic counselor can help all (parents, siblings, grandparents, ensure their qualifi cations and continuing education. of these families by discussing etc.). This information will their history, providing The genetic counselors at Desert Perinatal Associates explain how your family’s education, assessing risk, come from diverse backgrounds and are board health can affect your children. exploring available testing options, and offering support. certifi ed. They strive to pro vide their patients Carrier screening for various with the most up-to-date in formation and test genetic conditions may also options. They w ork closely with the physicians, is Genetic Counseling? be offered. The genetic What nurses, and sonographers, in order to provide counselor will spend time interpreting your medical Genetic counseling is a healthcare service that provides complete patient care. information or test results, review the risks, and individuals and families with useful information on explain the genetic factors behind these conditions. genetics and inheritance. This complex information is is eligible for Genetic presented in a way that Who The aim of a prenatal genetic counseling session is is easy to understand. Counseling? to provide each patient with an accurate view of A genetic counselor Genetic counseling is becoming an increasingly her pregnancy risk, which is often lower than many will gather information important component in the healthcare experience as fi rst believe. If you are on a woman’s health, our knowledge of genetics expands. Some common interested in learning pregnancy history, and reasons to see a genetic counselor before or during more about specifi c family history to better pregnancy include: birth defects during determine the chance • Age 35 or older at delivery pregnancy, the genetic for disease onset or • Abnormal test result or ultrasound fi nding counselor may offer recurrence. This information can also guide a discussion • Family history of a genetic condition (i.e., mental additional blood work on testing options and management before or during a retardation) or diagnostic tests. In woman’s pregnancy. This information allows the patient • Medication use or other exposure during this way, you can make to decide which testing options are best suited to her pregnancy an informed decision needs. The goal of genetic counseling is to provide • History of repeated miscarriage or stillbirth about your pregnancy helpful information so the patient and/or family can • Previous pregnancy with an abnormality management. make the best decision, based on their personal beliefs and values. A genetic counselor will also provide The ideal time to see a genetic counselor is before Preconception genetic counseling will benefi t many emotional support and understanding during what can pregnancy. In this way, certain tests can be completed couples. A couple’s family history concerns can be be a diffi cult and confusing time. ahead of time, medications may be adjusted, and addressed prior to pregnancy to determine the information on family history can be collected for an risk of recurrence in their children. Couples that accurate picture of risk during future pregnancies. have experienced multiple miscarriages or other Who are Genetic Counselors? The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology pregnancy loss may be offered additional genetic Genetic counselors are healthcare professionals with (ACOG) has recently recommended that all pregnant testing and screening. Women with preexisting a specialized graduate degree in medical genetics women be offered screening and diagnostic testing medical conditions (i.e., diabetes, seizure disorder), and counseling. Their training focuses on human and options in order to learn more about their risk for can meet with a genetic counselor to discuss their medical genetics, psychosocial counseling skills, public certain birth defects. health history and medication use before conception.