An individual might be referred for a genetic consultation, if someone is said to have higher risk of having a genetic illness. Genetic counselling is commonly referred to know pregnancy outcomes in terms of baby’s health.

Genetic counselling can be done for the following reasons, if the individual has–

• A personal or family history of genetic condition
• A relative with genetic condition
• Hereditary cancer
• Chromosomal disorder
• A genetic disorder treatment guide (if possible any)
• Symptoms that indicate a possible genetic disorder (to get tested themselves and learn more about their condition)

People can consult a genetic counsellor to understand about pregnancy outcomes in the following cases:

• Two or more pregnancy miscarriages, a stillbirth, or a baby who died
• Parents who have a child with a genetic disorder
• Pregnant women over age 34 or those who have an abnormal prenatal screening test or amniocentesis (It is a process in which amniotic fluid is sampled using a hollow needle inserted into the uterus, to screen for abnormalities in the developing fetus)
• When planning for a pregnancy
• To know a future unborn baby has any possibility of genetic disorders
• To check if the genetic disorders that the parents are carrying will likely be passed to their offspring.