Genetic Testing and Counseling in Pregnancy Essay Example for Free

heritable Testing and direction in Pregnancy EssayFor many women, gestation period is met with excitement. However, for a few couples, the pregnancy thunder mug take a completely different turn when the fetus is determined to be afflicted with Tay-Sachs disease. This is a genetic condition, usually found in Caucasians, and primarily those of Jewish descent, and develops in 25% of cases when both p arents carry the recessive gene (National Tay-Sachs and Allied Diseases NTSAD, n. d. ).Genetic counseling is a relatively new concept in healthcare and is the process of sustaining people understand and adapt to the medical examination, psychological and familial implications of genetic contri howeverions to disease (National Society of Genetic Counselors NSGC, 2005, para. 2). For the men and women face a pregnancy involving Tay-Sachs, genetic counseling is a viable and important option to consider. However, to check tone care and education, genetic counseling needs to involv e a team of healthcare professionals from a variety of backgrounds.Interdisciplinary Team Members and Their Roles in Genetic Counseling Appropriate members of a multi-disciplinary team for the Trosacks include a genetic advocate, a nutritionist or dietician, the high-risk OB-GYN medico, a registered nurse specializing in high-risk perinatal care, and a therapist specializing in marri mount and family therapy needs. Each member of this team lead add a unique perspective to the Trosacks case. The genetic counselor has graduate-level education and experience in both medical genetics and counseling (NSGC, 2005, para. 1).Using her expertise and skills, she testament review the medical history for Mr. nd Mrs. Trosack, and their families, hear other genetic risks that whitethorn exist and explain inheritance patterns. She will provide information and resources for further education on genetic disorders, so that they place continue to fill or so Tay-Sachs and connect with other fam ilies facing the disease. In addition to this expert information, the Trosacks will benefit from a nutritionist or dietician. The nutritionist non only has special training in the area of nutrition, but also in educating patients near their options and making nutritious choices.In general, a nutritionist can advise individualson the nutritional practices that will promote good health, and structure and recommend diet invents for whole familiesincluding guides to the correct preparation of meals and shop for the right foods (Princeton Review, n. d. ). He will perform a nutrition appreciatement, provide education on additional nutritional needs due to pregnancy, and even economic aid with meal planning to ensure a health pregnancy. He will continue to assess and make recommendations on Mrs. Trosacks nutritional needs ground on lab work by means ofout the pregnancy.The patients overall care is the responsibility of her OB-GYN, who specializes in high-risk pregnancies. A high-ris k OB-GYN has a extended education, residency and fellowship history to gain whapledge in caring for older patients, patients with specific medical conditions and patients carrying a pregnancy that has been determined to need narrow care. The perinatologist is not only capable of making diagnoses other obstetricians may miss, but can also perform specialized procedures and administer medications across the placenta (Perinatologists, n. d. ).She will assess the medical needs of Mrs.Trosack and the fetus throughout the pregnancy, monitor fetal growth and development, order diagnostic tests as needed, and provide referrals to other specialists as needed. Working with the physician will be a nurse specializing in prenatal clients. This nurse has chosen to expand on her nursing education, taking additional classes and obtaining certifications specific to perinatal care. He will assess the couples understanding of pregnancy and prenatal care at the first punish and make a plan to educ ate them on each stage of pregnancy and fetal development as well as options ready(prenominal) during labor and delivery.Additionally, he will ensure the couple understanding for each test or referral suggested by the physician. Due to the nature of the diagnosis, the couple will also benefit from a marriage and family therapist on their team. The couple has already expressed exasperation over the diagnosis, and volley between denial and acceptance of the diagnosis. Additionally, Mrs. Trosack has already expressed guilt over her work load and its affect on the baby. Mr. Trosack has expressed anger, which can lead to resentment.The strong emotions felt by both parties need to be expressed in a vigorous way to preserve their marriage, and a therapist specializing in family matters is an appropriate facilitator. She will meet with the couple together, as well as individually to assess their tonusings intimately the pregnancy, the Tay-Sachs diagnosis and the feelings they have towa rd each other. The therapy sessions will continue after the birth of their baby, due to the nature of the disease and the stress the babys health will add to their lives.Teaching Plan for the Initial VisitThe teaching plan for the Trosacks initial visit at the high-risk pregnancy center will include the following Genetic diagnosisThe Trosacks need to understand the diagnosis of Tay-Sachs how it is transmitted, the probability of other pregnancies testing positive, and what symptoms their babe is likely to develop. This will help them to understand they have done nothing wrong and prepare for the special needs their child will have. TreatmentNo treatment exists for the disease itself, but the Trosacks will benefit from learning about the symptoms their child may develop and how those symptoms are handle.They will be informed of ways to keep their child golosh and comfortable during the illness. Prognosis as it applies to Tay-SachsThe prognosis for infantile Tay-Sachs is poor, with most children becoming progressively worse until their remainder by age 4 or 5. The Trosacks need to be informed of this so that they can make preparationsfor themselves and other family members. Because most children develop normally until around six months of age, the Trosacks need to k straightway that an absence of symptoms does not mean an absence of the disease (NTSAD, n. d. ).They need to know that their time with this child will be limited and filled with doctor visits and difficult medical decisions. With this education and advanced notice, they can begin to discuss which treatments they may consider (medications) and those treatments they may not want to consider (feeding tube). Support groups and appropriate referralsWith the Internet, the residential district of nourishment for families with Tay-Sachs has greatly expanded. The Trosacks will be translaten information on local support groups as well as the internet communities available to them.They will be directed to the National Tay-Sachs and Allied Disease, March of Dimes and National Organization for Rare Disorders websites to connect with other families who are living with Tay-Sachs. This support will help the Trosacks connect with the only other people who know what they are going through, share their concerns without fear of judgment, and learn from those have gone through it all personally. Pregnancy informationInformation on pregnancy is necessary for any pregnant woman, especially during her first pregnancy.Over the length of the pregnancy, the Trosacks will learn about how pregnancy and fetal development progresses during each trimester, what changes Mrs. Trosack can expectphysically and emotionally, and ways in which Mr. Trosack can be of assistance to her. The first visit will specifically cover the development to date and through the end of the first trimester. They will view pictures of the developing fetus and the ways in which Mrs. Trosacks body is changing to accommodate the pregnancy.Ethical Implications of Having Genetic Information Available While genetic testing is a wonderful addition to the vast align of diagnostics medicine now offers, it can bring about new ethical implications. In reference to autonomy, genetic testing can sometimes kick downstairs information about ones family that was not known. For example, a Caucasian family may be surprised to find they are carriers for Sickle Cell disease, a disease found primarily in African-Americans and can bring about questions regarding the family history. These discussions may lead to the ethical issue of perceived invasions of privacy for other family members.another(prenominal) example would be the dilemmas that occur when there is a difference in societal believes and ones personal beliefs. First, persons with a genetic condition may prefer not to learn that their offspring is at risk for the condition, or they may prefer to have offspring with the same condition present in other family members (Halsey Lea, Williams, Donahue, 2005, para. 15). Secondly, some people may feel it is un in force(p) to bring a baby with anomalies into the world. The results of genetic testing in these instances may necessitate decisions about continuing pregnancy, selective termination and adoption.A third example of ethical dilemmas in regards to genetic information being available is in relation to kindliness and nonmalificence. For example, clinicians caring for a pregnant patient find the baby she is carrying has spina bifida. The patient states her sister had spina bifida and that she wants to deliver her baby in the community hospital with a midwife. The clinician now must balance her respect for her patients wishes with the concern she feels in allowing a baby with special needs to be born in an milieu that cannot provide services that may improve the births outcome (Halsey Lea et al. 2005).A fourth ethical issue is that of justice. For, some genetic disorders can be found with testin g while others still cannot. For example, the ability to identify carrier status for a mutation in the gene for cystic fibrosis is refuse among Asian American and African American persons than it is in Caucasians (Halsey Lea et al. , 2005). Thus, the results of testing performed on an Asian American or African American patient may not be a reliable indicator of their carrier status. Personal Thoughts, Feelings and Advocacy As a woman, this writer cannot begin to imagine the feelings felt by the Trosacks.After years of trying to conceive, they learn that they are finally pregnant only to find out their baby is likely to die by age five from a horrible, progressive disease. If in Mrs. Trosacks shoes, would this writer be brave enough to continue the pregnancy, knowing the prognosis? I do not know. I am sure, however, that the Trosacks have a difficult road ahead of them. If I were Mrs. Trosack, I would expect to feel a constant state of heartacheover the diagnosis and the life my ch ild will not have, the loss of those milestones parents look forward to (first day of school, first dance, etc), the impending months or years of illness.I would hope that I could treasure the better moments I do have with my childfrom birth to death, holding her as much as possible, trying to center on on the symptom-free moments, taking as many pictures as I can to record her short life. I question how angry a woman would feel in this situation. Surely, even those women with strong religious beliefs question the why of the diagnosis and circumstance. Why, after all this time allow me to conceive if youre going to give me a child so sick? What is the point of bringing a child into life if they are to suffer throughout?Why us? Would a woman facing this diagnosis feel as if everyone pities her? While reading the case study, I found myself feeling pity for her, knowing that she would lose her child in such a horrible way after wanting a child so badly. Despite these feelings, the Tr osacks choice to continue their pregnancy is just thattheir choice. Many people think that being pro-choice means advocating for abortion. However, it is my belief that being pro-choice means advocating for people to make the best choice for themselves in particular situations.For, only those going through a particular situation know best how well or poorly they can handle a decision and circumstance. Their decision to continue a pregnancy after the diagnosis was made is a brave one and speaks volumes to their character and beliefs. The Trosacks case manager will work with each member of the interdisciplinary team to ensure they respect the wishes of the couple. The couple needs to know that they are supported and are being treated without judgment from the team members. She will meet with the team members to ensure they are able to continue treating with couple appropriately.If any of the team members express an inability to chorus from sharing their personal feelings with the cou ple, she will find suitable replacements. While the team members are entitled to their feelings, they are expected to keep those feelings to themselves when caring for patients. And, when patients are facing emotional and controversial decisions, the separation is even more important. Ethical and Legal Considerations When the Trosacks made the decision to continue the pregnancy after learning their baby has Tay-Sachs, they became bound, legitimately and ethically, to care for the child after the birth.Ethical considerations include the decision to bring a child into a life of poor health and early death after a progressive decline. Many people in society will judge them for this, and the child will be perceived in sealed ways by others. Further, they will be faced with the decision to allow researchers to follow their child in an effort to gain more information about the disease in search for a cure. The child has no autonomy as a minor, and has no right to privacy when her parent s are making the decisions. other ethical question is who owns the genetic information? The genetic information is on the childs DNA, but the parents are the ones making all the decisions. Legally, there are several areas of concern for the couple. First, they are now bound to provide healthcare to this child, despite the poor prognosis. They must provide food, clothing and shelter, and keep the child good and comfortable as she declines. The child will eventually develop problems with swallowing, and at that time, will require further interventions to maintain life.Secondly, they are required to provide medical care for the child and, with the poor prognosis, this is likely to involve many appointments, testing and medications or treatments. Third, they may have problems with insurance coverage, as some insurance policies may consider the childs diagnosis to be pre-existing, denying coverage for any treatments associated with the disease. Though this is certainly not ethical, it i s legal in this country, and may lead to pecuniary problems and difficulty in continuing to obtain quality medical care.