Family Health History
Your health care provider will ask about your family health history to see if any health conditions run in your family or your partner’s family. Your health care provider can use this information to identify how it can affect your health and your baby’s health.
A family history of birth defects, developmental disability, newborn screening disorder, or genetic disorders may make it more likely that your baby will have one of these conditions. Learning about your family health history can help you find and address potential health problems early.
You might be referred to genetic counselling based on your family health history or for any of the following reasons:
- Woman 35 years of age or older
- Woman with primary ovarian failure
- Man with sperm count issues
- Being related to your partner (e.g. first cousins)
- Being diagnosed or at risk of a genetic condition (like sickle cell disease)
- 3 or more miscarriages or infertility issues
- Having an ethnic background that is eligible for population screening
- A previous pregnancy or child with a genetic disorder or birth defect, or
- A baby who died before the age of 1 year
The following checklist can help you prepare for your first preconception visit with your physician:
- Gather your family health history, specifically information around genetic conditions like Down’s syndrome, sickle cell disease, thalassemia or cystic fibrosis, and developmental disability, birth defects, newborn screening disorders, or other problems at birth or during infancy or childhood.
- Be prepared to let your doctor know about any previous preterm (early) births, miscarriages, stillbirths, or death of a child from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) you may have experienced. It may be difficult to go over painful memories. However, keep in mind that understanding what happened in the past will ensure the best care for your upcoming pregnancy.
- Be prepared for tailored recommendations from your doctor if you present with any of these histories, for instance, your doctor may recommend higher doses of folic acid or vitamin B.