Genetic counselling

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Preparing for pregnancy

Genetic counselling

Genetic counselling is not necessary for the majority of people planning a pregnancy but can be considered by couples who are at risk because they know of an inherited disease of a close family member. A genetic counsellor can help you understand what the risk is for you or your partner in passing on a health condition to your children.

A genetic test can help you understand whether an inherited health condition may affect you, your child or another family member, and help you to decide whether to have children.

Please contact your GP if you wish to discuss genetic counselling.

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Week 4

Your baby is now officially an embryo and is about the size of a poppy seed.

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/4-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

Week 8

Your baby is now the size of a kidney bean and weighs 1g.

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/8-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

Week 12

Welcome to the second trimester!

Your baby is about the size of a small lime and weighs approximately 14g.

You have hopefully seen your midwife for your 'booking in' appointment, if you have not yet seen a midwife please make an appointment quickly, so you can have all of your choices about screening tests explained and offered to you.

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/12-weeks-pregnant/ for more information. You can also link to the 'Pregnancy Journey' area here.

Week 16

Your baby is about the size of an avocado and weighs approximately 100g.

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/16-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

Week 20

Your baby has grown in length and is now the length of a small banana and weighs approximately 300g. Around this time you will be offered your '20 week' scan, also known as the 'anatomy' or 'anomaly' scan.Click here for more information about screening.

This is a also a good time to talk and sing to your bump as your baby can now hear sounds. This is great way for you and your partner/family to bond with your baby.

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/20-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

Week 24

Your baby has grown again to the approximate length of an ear of sweetcorn and weighs about 600g.

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/24-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

Week 28

Welcome to the third trimester!

Your baby is now approximately the weight of an aubergine; about 1kg and approximately 37cm in length.

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/28-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.