Health of fetuses

Health of fetuses. News of the birth of a child brings immense joy to a couple. However, there are certain situations when the future of the unborn child becomes uncertain. The bewildered couple can’t decide whether to invite the unwelcome guest to life or return them. A genetic counselor acts as a guide in such foggy conditions. But every couple is different. Their problems are different. Different situations require other types of genetic counseling.

First type of counseling

Let’s say the childbearing age of the woman is 30. Pregnancy occurs through IVF. Scans and blood tests (NT scan and first trimester maternal serum markers) done by 12 weeks. In that test, it was found that the unborn child is probably suffering from Down syndrome. Therefore, testing of placenta tissue is also suggested to confirm the disease. The test also showed that the fetus was indeed ‘Down syndrome positive’.

In such a situation naturally the woman and her spouse will suffer from ultimate indecision. Can’t understand whether the unborn child should be delivered or not! On the other hand, at 12-13 weeks, the baby bump appears. As a result, the members of both families of the couple have various desires surrounding the fetus. It is normal for the couple to feel lost in such a complicated situation.

In such cases, the counselor can extend a helping hand to them. No, he will never give any decision to the couple. But the counselor will clearly explain a few things. They are-

• What can happen if the fetus is not delivered.

• Whether there is a risk that the child will also be affected by the genetic disease if the child is born again.

• What to watch out for if a couple conceives a child. For example, children with Down syndrome are at risk of developing heart problems. So fetal echo should be done to see the condition of the baby’s heart. Heart problems may require surgery later. Some children may have autism with Down syndrome. All these things should be kept in mind.

Also, parents have to take on several different responsibilities after giving birth to a child with Down syndrome. The parent should also arrange for behavioral therapy and some training to help them grow up. It was also informed about that. Even talking to parents of other children with the same disease. In this way, the couple can understand whether it will be possible for them to financially and emotionally support the child in the future. After that they decide whether to keep the pregnancy or not.

Now the question is, up to what week after pregnancy can abortion be done? Abortion can be done within 24 weeks of pregnancy.

There are many more complex problems like this. Hence, genetic counseling is very important when fetal genetic problems are diagnosed.

Second type of counseling

The fetus has certain diseases, due to which its chances of survival are reduced. For example, a fetus with multicystic dysplastic kidney disease. In this case, the kidneys of the pregnant baby are not formed properly. Fluid levels in the body increase.

Fetal bone structure is fragile due to osteogenesis imperfecta. due to disease. The movement of the fetus in the uterus breaks several bones of the fetus. Again, the heart is beating very slowly, such a fetus is also seen. As a result, water accumulates all over the body of the fetus. This problem is called hydrops fetalis. These diseases are not life-supporting in any way. The couple is told that the diseases are caused by a gene defect.

Usually such problems are diagnosed in the second trimester itself. An ultrasound test can detect such problems. Couples also usually want to terminate the pregnancy. In such cases, a different type of diagnostic test may be needed to avoid the same problem in subsequent pregnancies.

Usually, cells from the body of the unborn baby need to be collected and the DNA of the fetus needs to be tested. However, the couple was suffering from the pain of losing their child. So first they are asked to arrange for preservation of Fetus DNA.

If the couple is physically and mentally close, they are counselled. DNA reports and some other tests inform about the reasons behind the physical problems of the fetus.

But no couple wants to be late. In such cases DNA test and post-mortem are done to know about the abnormality of the fetus.

Exams are very important. If you know the exact reason, you will know what precautions to take while having the next baby. Because many fetal diseases are genetic but not hereditary. As a result, even after having an abortion, couples regain confidence through counseling.

In this context, in some cases, due to the marriage of parents with negative and positive blood groups, the problem of immune fetal hydrops can occur. In that case the fetus can be kept healthy by ‘in utero blood transfusion’.

A third type of counseling

Perhaps the most difficult is the third type of counseling. An example of an incident will help to understand the matter. Recently a fetus was diagnosed with cleft lip and heart problems together. Heart problem is not a big problem. So if the baby has only heart problem, it can be cured by surgery after delivery. There is also a solution to just the cleft lip problem. That is, having a structural defect in the body of the fetus is not a big problem. However, when two problems appear together in the fetal body, it indicates a genetic problem as well as a complex illness. As a result, a fetal medicine specialist should be consulted to ascertain the underlying problem.

This kind of structural abnormality of the fetus is detected by doing an ultrasound at about 20 weeks after the pregnancy. 20 weeks means five months. In case of structural abnormalities, fetal DNA testing is required.

Even the father and mother may need some physical examination. Meanwhile, the DNA report takes another month to arrive. As a result, if the 24 weeks pass without the report coming, then the pregnancy cannot be terminated. Moreover, the cost of testing is also high.

So the counselor tries to talk to the fetal medicine specialist so that the couple can decide for themselves about the pregnancy. However, in some cases, another scan can be done after two more weeks to confirm the fetal abnormality. But everything is done according to the situation.

Fourth type of counseling

Some couples come for counseling at 26 or even 30 weeks. It turns out that the child may have a really serious problem. The chance of survival of the fetus is slim. It is difficult to save him even if he is grounded. In such cases, the couple is asked to apply to the medical board to terminate the pregnancy.

  Remember-

Genetic counseling is a very important method for the emotional, physical and relational well-being of a couple. So take the test at the right time as advised by the gynecologist. stay safe.