Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology

Prenatal Diagnosis and Genetic Counseling Service

The Prenatal Diagnosis Service offers genetic counseling, genetic testing and screening to individuals and couples who are already pregnant or considering a pregnancy. The procedures offered through our service include:

Chorionic villi sampling
Amniocentesis
Structural ultrasounds screening or fetal anomalies
Nuchal translucency and first trimester biochemical testing.
Fetal echocardiography

Families who have a history of a genetic disorder, a previous child with a birth defect, or chromosome alteration and couples who have experienced three miscarriages, or women over the age of 35 are encouraged to se up an appointment with our clinic. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please contact the prenatal diagnosis office at 272-6611.

Preconception Counseling

An assessment of a woman’s current health is essential before conception by your physician, midwife, or nurse practitioner. This assessment should include checking the status of her immunity to certain infections and the need for immunization, the presence and status of any medical conditions, reproductive and family history, nutrition status, and risk of genetic disease:

Testing is recommended for immunity to rubella and varicella, and those not immune should be vaccinated.
Many examples exist for counseling about certain medical conditions and additional risks for both mother and fetus before conception.
Nonjudgmental and indirect questioning of patients is recommended to determine their use of drugs or abuse in order to provide education, contraceptive counseling, and referral for treatment.
Nutrition and weight gain are to be emphasized before conception.
400 mg of Folic acid should be taken daily if planning a pregnancy.

Faculty and Staff

Kimberly Leslie, M.D., Professor and Chief, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and Genetics Medical Director of the Women's Ultrasound and Genetics

Unit Valerie Rappaport, M.D., Associate Professor of Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Lisa Moore, M.D., Assistant Professor of Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Rebecca Hall, Ph.D., Associate Professor Clinical Director of Resident/Fellow Ultrasound Program Cathy

Kathy Morris, MS, CGC, Senior Genetics Counselor

Prenatal Diagnosis Genetics Center brochure