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UCSF Study Shows Importance of Pregnant Women Making Informed Decisions Before Undergoing Genetic Testing

 

By Elizabeth Fernandez
Source: UCSF News Services

A clinical trial led by UC San Francisco has found that when pregnant women are educated about their choices on prenatal genetic testing, the number of tests actually drops, even when the tests are offered with no out-of-pocket costs.

The findings underscore the need for clear information on all prenatal testing options and their possible outcomes, including the option of no testing, before pregnant women decide whether or not to have genetic testing, the authors said.

MFM - Who should consider prenatal testing?

Who should consider Prenatal testing?

There are certain guidelines regarding who might benefit from genetic counseling and/or prenatal testing. These include:

MFM - Newborn Screening (NBS)

Principal Investigator: Miriam Kuppermann, PhD
Clinical co-investigator: Kathryn Houston, MD
Study staff: Elizabeth Doyle, Rachel Freyre
Goal:

To conduct a randomized study of the effect of an educational video about newborn screening and dried blood spot retention on knowledge about newborn screening.

Eligibility:

Women with a gestational age of over 30 weeks who speak English or Spanish.

MFM - Factors of Labor Progression Study

Principal Investigator: Pamela Flood, MD
Goal:

To study the relationship between genetic makeup and the childbirth and labor experience.

Eligibility:

GA>24, no major fetal anomalies.

Study components:

At a prenatal UCSF visit, patients are asked for a spit sample and to consent to allow researchers to extract information, such as length of labor and analgesics used, from their labor charts. Spit sample collection generally takes no more than 5 minutes.

Compensation:

No.

MFM - Chemicals in Our Bodies 2 (CiOB2)

Principal Investigators: Tracey Woodruff, PhD, MPH; Rachel Morello-Frosch, PhD, MPH; Marya Zlatnik, MD; Naomi Stotland, MD
Goal:

To learn what chemicals are found in the bodies of pregnant women and in their newborns, and assess whether stress impacts sensitivity to chemicals.

Eligibility:

Second Trimester at the time of interview, low risk pregnancy, delivering newborn at San Francisco General Hospital or Moffitt-Long Hospital (UCSF Parnassus)/Betty Irene Moore Women’s Hospital (UCSF Mission Bay).

MFM - SMART Diaphragm Study

Principal Investigator: Larry Rand, MD
Goal:

To test a new device currently being investigated at UCSF that may help us prevent preterm birth by detecting early changes in the cervix during pregnancy.

Eligibility:

Women with gestational age under 17 weeks at either high- or low-risk for preterm labor.

Study components:

11 study visits with diaphragm fittings. Study visits can take place at the same time as normal scheduled prenatal visits at UCSF. Each study visit is estimated to take 20 minutes.

Compensation:

Yes

UCSF Pregnancy and Cardiac Treatment (PACT) Program

Heart disease remains a leading cause for adverse maternal outcomes. About 1% of pregnancies are complicated by cardiovascular disease. These pregnancies require specialized care in order to ensure an optimal outcome for the mother and neonate. In 2008, the UCSF Pregnancy and Cardiac Treatment (PACT) team was founded and has successfully managed over 200 pregnancies.

MFM - Obstetrics Services

Obstetrics Services: Choosing UCSF For Your Pregnancy

We are delighted that you are considering UCSF for your obstetrics care. Our multidisciplinary team of nationally and internationally recognized obstetrical providers is committed to providing you with compassionate and expert care so that you enjoy a safe and rewarding experience. Here at UCSF Obstetrics Services, our physicians and certified nurse midwives work side-by-side as one team.

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