Testing for Genetic Diseases Before You’re Pregnant: JScreen Review
(Note to readers: As part of this review, the company tested me for genetic diseases at no cost. I was not otherwise compensated and my opinion remains my own.)
There’s nothing that means more to me in the world than my family. My children are my whole universe. And nothing worried me more as an expectant mother than the health of my baby, in the womb and after.
Think about it. So many things can go wrong.
So, what if there was a way for you to find out—before you were even pregnant—whether you might pass along a disease that could make their life incredibly difficult?
Lots of us get tested once we’re pregnant—but what can we really do with that information then?
Wouldn’t you want access to that information BEFORE?
Well, it’s possible with genetic screening.
And now, it’s possible with genetic screening that you can do right at home.
I was asked to do a screening for a review by a company known as JScreen in Atlanta. They’re based out of Emory University, but anyone can be tested, anywhere.
No, I don’t plan to have more children. But, if it’s possible I have a recessive gene for a disease, I’d like to make sure my children are aware of that for when they plan to have babies.
That’s where JScreen comes in. They explain, the key to protecting our kids from devastating diseases is raising awareness among parents thinking of adding to their families. They don’t want screening to be scary, but want to help people through the process.
Yes, JScreen targets the Jewish population. I’m not Jewish. But as the JScreen site explains, “although occurrences are less frequent outside of the Jewish population, the 19 diseases are found in other ethnicities as well. In addition to the 19 Jewish genetic diseases, there are many other genetic diseases that are commonly found in the general population.”
My screening process was simple. A box arrived in the mail with a vial and instructions. It involved filling the vial with my saliva up to a certain level. Then, I tightened the cap, which released another liquid to properly store my sample, and filled out the label that was included. I dropped it off at a fed ex location and it was on its way.
Easy breezy.
About a week or so later I got an email instructing me on how to get my results.
In my case, it was all good news.
I didn’t show a trace of the diseases, and they tested me for more than twice the amount than most obgyns test for during pregnancy.
It’s good information for me to have, and great information for me to share with my children.
