Antenatal Counselling

Antenatal counselling is a technique for detecting genetic abnormalities in an unborn child. Individuals with a family history of genetic diseases get prenatal counseling. It is advised for pregnant women as well as couples wanting to have a child. If a birth defect is discovered during pregnancy, your pediatric surgeon will explain the treatment options for your infant. Your doctor will assist you to understand the problem and educate you on how to prepare for the care of a child with a birth defect during prenatal counseling. The prenatal screening will identify whether or not the unborn baby has a genetic disorder.

Various diagnostic tests are used to evaluate genetic disorders, including:

Dual ,Triple and Quadruple markers – Evaluate hormones, sonography finds, and age to calculate the likely incidence of congenital anomaly in the child.
Nuchal translucency screening is an ultrasound test that is done at the end of the first trimester. This process aids in determining the possibility of Down syndrome or other chromosomal disorders if there is thickening at the back of the fetus’s neck.
Chorionic villus sampling – A placental tissue sample is obtained in this procedure to look for chromosomal abnormalities and other genetic issues.
Amniocentesis – This technique collects samples from the amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby in order to identify chromosomal problems and open neural tube anomalies such as spina bifida. This test is performed between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy for women who are at high risk of chromosomal abnormalities.
Ultrasound – Ultrasound creates an image of the fetus within the womb by using high-frequency sound waves.
Fetal echocardiogram is a test that utilizes sound waves to determine whether the fetus has cardiac abnormalities. It is commonly performed in the second trimester.
Antenatal counselling assists parents in understanding the problem once it has been detected, as well as deciding whether the baby can be treated in the womb or choosing a site of birth that will provide the required care. Pregnant mothers may be given drugs to address fetal cardiac issues such as rhythm irregularities.

Why choose a pediatric surgeon?

The majority of congenital defects are addressed by pediatric surgeons, who not only conduct surgical corrections but are also actively engaged in the newborns’ recovery and rehabilitation. Furthermore, these children are frequently under regular follow-up with the surgeon until late adolescence.

As a result, appropriate and personalized counseling may be provided depending on the particular family and the detected abnormality. Antenatal visits with pediatric surgeons also assist parents in deciding on treatment choices and familiarizing themselves with the team that will ultimately care for their future child. This saves crucial time, which is often wasted when the same procedure is started following deliveries. The parents have adequate time to understand the anomalies, clear all their queries and decide about the extent of treatment that they are comfortable with. This makes the process of childbirth and subsequent transfer to neonatal surgical care relatively comfortable and avoids excessive stress.

Dr. Adwait Prakash is an expert in Antenatal Counselling practicing in Indore.

To book your appointment Call: 8889588832.