Prenatal testing – Yes or no?

Prenatal testing can have far-reaching consequences. Before deciding whether or not to have a prenatal test or examination, it's important to think about certain questions. For example:

• How much do you want to know about your unborn baby before the birth?
• Which examinations or tests might make sense in your situation?
• What would you do if anything abnormal was found, like a deformity?
• Would you continue the pregnancy or think about a termination?

Many people decide to have prenatal testing because they want to be as sure as possible that their child won't have any major disabilities. A normal result can put worries to rest. But the results can also be unsettling. And the testing doesn't offer any guarantees. Not everything can be spotted or ruled out during pregnancy.

Other people decide not to have certain prenatal examinations from the beginning, such as tests for trisomy conditions like Down syndrome. One reason might be that they want to accept their baby just as she or he is. They wouldn't consider terminating the pregnancy.

Not everyone who decides to have prenatal testing would be willing to terminate the pregnancy afterwards. The findings can also help people to prepare themselves – both mentally and in a practical sense – for having a child with special challenges. Your feelings or attitude might also change during pregnancy.

The following options might be helpful:

• Information and advice from a doctor: Doctors are obliged to inform you about the purpose, the accuracy and the possible effects of prenatal testing. Only doctors with special authorization are allowed to provide information about genetic testing in pregnancy. They might include gynecologists or a doctor’s office or institution for prenatal diagnostics or human genetics.
• Psychosocial counseling: In Germany, this is mainly offered by pregnancy advice centers (Schwangerschaftsberatungsstellen). They offer advice to women and couples in person, online or by telephone (anonymously, if you prefer). The counseling can help you decide whether to have prenatal testing or not, and it can help you consider your options if the results are abnormal. It also gives you the opportunity to discuss any expectations and worries you might have about your pregnancy. And it can provide support when you're waiting for the results of a test or examination, which can sometimes be distressing.

You have a right to genetic and psychosocial counseling – both before having genetic testing, and after any abnormalities are found. Doctors are obliged to tell you that. At your request, they are also obliged to provide you with specific contact details of pregnancy advice centers. But you can search for local centers yourself as well, on the website of the German Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA). Doctors can also give you the contact details of support groups and disability associations.