Societal Pressures On Prenatal Testing Decisions
Amniocentesis has become the standard of care for prenatal care visits for women who are "at risk" or over a certain age. Most obstetricians (depending on the country) offer patients the AFP triple test, HIV test, and ultrasounds routinely. However, almost all women meet with a genetic counselor before deciding whether to have prenatal diagnosis. It is the role of the genetic counselor to accurately inform women of the risks and benefits of prenatal diagnosis. Genetic counselors are trained to be non-directive and to support the patient's decision. Some doctors do advise women to have certain prenatal tests and the patient's partner may also influence the woman's decision.
Read more about this topic: Prenatal Diagnosis, Ethical and Practical Issues
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