Today, pregnant women are faced with deciding among an increasingly complex variety of prenatal genetic tests. It’s essential that they have access to resources that can educate them about these tests. Washington State law (RCW 70.54.220) and professional societies’ guidelines recommend that all pregnant women be offered options for prenatal screening and diagnosis. Women’s decisions about these testing options should be informed and consistent with their needs and values. The Screening and Genetics program collaborated with the Genetic Support Foundation (GSF), to produce a series of seven videos regarding prenatal genetic testing options.  The videos are available now on DOH’s YouTube Channel and are ready to be shared with patients. Here they can select among the series that includes:

1) How to Decide About Prenatal Genetic Testing
2) Conditions Commonly Tested for During Pregnancy
3) Prenatal Cell Free DNA Screening
4) Traditional Maternal Serum Screening
5) Prenatal Ultrasound
6) Chorionic Villus Sampling
7) Amniocentesis

These are also posted on our website to download. We hope that both patients and providers will find them useful. Expectant parents can watch at home and health care providers can download them to show patients during office visits. The storyboard development involved extensive audience testing with the intended audience of women of reproductive age as well as healthcare professionals, parents of children with genetic conditions, and leaders from advocacy groups.  Please take a moment to view the videos and consider sharing with colleagues, family and friends.

Feel free to share any comments you have at Genetics@doh.wa.gov