You get the stunning news, confirming your home test kit results: "You're pregnant."
It can come as a shocker for any would-be parents, especially when you weren't planning for it.
There are so many questions the parents still trying to decide what to do next need to consider: How will we afford this new baby? Will the child be born healthy? What of my own health?
Fortunately, nowadays, expectant mothers can make smarter choices and discover more effective solutions to optimise their health and the health of their baby during pregnancy, thanks to advances in medical research and science.
Using you individual genetic and epigenetic information (how your behaviours and environment can cause changes that affect the way your genes work), nowadays scientists can tailor therapy or preventative care for you and an unborn child.
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Personalised medicine allows for targeted therapies and preventative treatments that take advantage of a variety of observations relating to a pregnancy, says Helen Gautschi, research and education manager at DNAlysis, a South African genetic testing company.
By understanding the health disposition of a pregnant woman using her unique genotype, the right diet, lifestyle, supplementation and medication can be prescribed, increasing the chances of a healthy pregnancy and optimal birth outcome.
A genetic test for mums-to-be is about providing precise care and proactive intervention for each individual pregnancy, explains Helen who when asked how safe the test is, tells Drum, "There is no harm or risk at all to the unborn foetus or mom."
Step 1. Order test online and choose your consulting practitioner
Step 2. Collect your DNA sample using the DNAlysis test kit that is sent to you
Step 3. Sample is sent to the DNAlysis laboratory and report sent to your healthcare practitioner within 14 days
Step 4. Explore your DNA. Your healthcare practitioner will notify you once they receive the report to set up a consultation. Your data is securely stored for future reports, if desired.
“The DNAlysis Biotechnology GrowBaby genetic test report provides valuable insights into how to optimise health outcomes for mum and baby using gene-based personalised diet, supplement, and lifestyle interventions," says Helen.
"This is through the knowledge that mum’s health has a significant effect on the health of the foetal environment and thus eventually the child as well,” says Helen.
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By improving the health of mum and baby through these interventions, it becomes possible to increase chances of optimal birth weight of the baby, avoid early term delivery, and ensure that delivery is as stress-free as possible, says Helen.
“Having a heathy pregnancy with optimal birth outcomes is a miracle every time because there are so many factors involved,” adds Claire Julsing Strydom, dietitian and co-founder of Nutritional Solutions.
“The GrowBaby test gives you insight as to where you can manage or negate risks, even before pregnancy. If a woman struggles with vitamin D metabolism, for example, we know there is a higher chance of miscarriage.
"The test gives us an in-depth blueprint of how the mother will potentially carry the pregnancy and how we can prevent adverse birth events.
For the mother, adds Claire, the test makes it possible to ensure optimal health throughout the pregnancy by providing results that can be used to achieve the following:
- Optimal weight gain;
- Stabilise blood glucose levels to decrease gestational diabetes risk;
- Prevent or decrease the risk for preeclampsia and gestational or pregnancy-induced hypertension;
- Decrease the risk for miscarriage or pregnancy loss;
- Balance biological pathways to decrease risk for developmental conditions, and
- Carry to full term.
Together, all these factors play a vital role in ensuring lifelong health for the child.
“The GrowBaby test can be done before pregnancy, to ensure that the mother’s health is optimised before she falls pregnant, or it can be taken during pregnancy to help provide the best outcomes,” says Helen.
“It’s also advisable for women who have experienced a stressful pregnancy in the past, including a miscarriage, and are seeking to enhance their chances of having a healthy pregnancy with optimal birth outcomes.”
For more information: Visit dnalysis.co.za to find an accredited practitioner or buy a DNA test online. A practitioner from the DNAlysis accredited network will guide you through the process.
