What to Expect Before You’re Expecting: Why Carrier Screening Matters
Ever wondered if there’s anything you can do before getting pregnant to better understand your future family’s health? You’re not alone, and that’s where carrier screening comes in.
What is Carrier Screening?
Carrier screening is a type of genetic testing that you and your partner can do before pregnancy to find out if you “carry” certain genetic conditions you could pass on to your children.
Most of the conditions tested for are autosomal recessive. This means that in most cases, carriers for a condition don't actually have symptoms themselves. Without testing, you might never know you’re a carrier, because it usually takes two parents carrying a change in the same gene for a baby to be affected by the condition.
Here’s how the odds work out when both partners are carriers for the same recessive condition:
25% chance the baby will inherit the condition.
50% chance the baby will be an unaffected carrier (like you).
25% chance the baby won’t carry the gene change at all.
Why Bother if We All Carry Something?
The truth is, we are all carriers for something, even though most couples won’t share carrier status for the same condition. Carrier screening helps find those rare pairings ahead of time, so you have options and time to plan.
Knowledge = Options
If carrier screening shows you’re both carriers for the same condition, you’ve got options. You can:
Learn & prepare → some families simply want to know what to expect.
Test during pregnancy → prenatal testing during pregnancy (usually available after the first trimester) can confirm if the baby has inherited the condition, which can help guide medical care or pregnancy decisions.
Consider IVF with preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) → embryos can be tested before implantation, which can help reduce the chance of passing on certain conditions.
We’re Here for You
If you’re thinking about starting a family, carrier screening is one of the most practical, empowering things you can do to plan ahead. Curious if it’s right for you and your partner? We’re here to help you figure it out and walk you through every step of the process.
👉Book a discovery call to learn more about carrier screening with our preconception package at Golden Genetics.
-Sarah Upp, MS