Genetic Testing Before and During Pregnancy | Jennifer Saucier

Non Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) provides insight into the risk of a fetal genetic abnormality, and can help inform pregnancy management before and after birth. However, the value of genetic screening is dependent on whether results are interpreted correctly, appropriate medical follow-up, and access to relevant resources. 

Genetic counselors help to ensure that NIPT is translated into better prenatal care. However, many women who receive NIPT do not visit a genetic counselor. 

In this episode, Jennifer Saucier, board-certified genetic counselor who currently serves as the Senior Director of Clinical Genetic Services at Natera, discusses:

• What is the difference between carrier screening and prenatal screening and diagnostic testing?
• Who needs prenatal screening, and what week is prenatal screening?
• Why should patients ask for these screening tests?
• Does insurance usually cover NIPT? Carrier screening?
• The future of screening: Can we test for risk of addiction? Can science lead us to gene editing or alteration and if so, what does this mean?
• What does a genetic counselor do?
• How do you find a genetic counselor?

That first OB appointment expectant parents have is so overwhelming. Your healthcare provider gives a lot of information in a short period of time. - Jennifer Saucier 

Resources:

• Resources and episodes on Pregnancy & Motherhood

• How to Find a Genetic Counselor

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About Jennifer Saucier

Jennifer Saucier is a board-certified genetic counselor who currently serves as the Senior Director of Clinical Genetic Services at Natera where she oversees a large team of laboratory genetic counselors, telehealth genetic counselors and genetic counseling assistants. Prior to joining Natera, Ms. Saucier gained invaluable experience in all areas of genetic testing (prenatal, pediatrics, cancer and laboratory) working as the sole genetic counselor at a large rural university hospital and later at several maternal fetal medicine offices in Austin, Texas. Ms. Saucier graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Genetics and has a M.S. in Genetic Counseling from The University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center. 

**The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor.  Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.**

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