Abstract:
Due to their training, genetic counselors may have a heightened awareness of the many complications which can occur during pregnancy. Previous studies have shown that this knowledge impacts the decisions genetic counselors make during their own pregnancies. The purpose of this study was to clarify the decisions that genetic counselors make during their own pregnancies and assess which factors influence these decisions. We recruited genetic counselors through the NSGC listserv for an anonymous online survey. Participants answered questions about the testing they had done during up to three pregnancies. Participants who worked in a prenatal setting during their pregnancy provided information about any counseling situations which made them uncomfortable. In a total of 313 pregnancies, diagnostic testing was performed in 105 (33.5%), which is a much lower rate than has been previously reported. There was a significant positive correlation between age and rate of diagnostic testing, and a significant negative correlation between calendar year and rate of diagnostic testing. Genetic counselors who worked in a prenatal setting during their pregnancy were significantly more uncomfortable in counseling situations while they were noticeably pregnant than before they were noticeably pregnant, and they were significantly more uncomfortable counseling in person than over the phone. There was not a significant relationship between experience in a prenatal or pediatric setting and the rate of diagnostic testing, and participants’ political views were only slightly significantly related to their rate of diagnostic testing. Participants on average felt that they had a higher anxiety level during pregnancy than other pregnant women. Our findings suggest that genetic counselors may be utilizing diagnostic testing less frequently than previous cohorts. Additionally, future efforts should focus on developing tools to help counselors cope with anxiety during pregnancy.
