Most couples discover they don't carry the same genetic conditions as their partner. Approximately 1 in 40 people learn they have an increased chance of having a child with a genetic condition. When both partners are carriers, there is a 25% chance their child could be affected by the condition. Learning this information before or early in pregnancy provides couples with various options to consider.
During pre-pregnancy planning, couples might explore using donors or IVF technologies. For those already pregnant, additional testing can determine if the baby may have a likelihood of an inherited genetic condition.
Some couples may also prefer not to test before or during pregnancy, instead using their carrier status information to prepare for their child's arrival.