Genetics in Pregnancy

Developed as a joint initiative between the Mobile Learning Unit, Melbourne Medical School, Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Monash IVF Group and the Murdoch Children's Research Institute Reproductive Epidemiology Group.

Genetic technology advances rapidly, and it is challenging for clinicians to keep abreast of new testing options and best practice in maternity care. This course will help doctors and midwives acquire the knowledge and skills they need to confidently provide prenatal and pre-pregnancy genetic screening in their daily practice.

Designed For

Highly recommended for midwives and doctors providing antenatal and pre-pregnancy care to women and their partners. Also suitable for radiologists and sonographers providing obstetric ultrasound services

Learning Outcomes

1. REVISE theories of DNA and inheritance in reproductive health
2. REVIEW the principles of prenatal screening and reproductive carrier screening
3. ASSESS couples that are suitable for a genetic counselling referral
4. APPLY RANZCOG Clinical Guidelines for prenatal screening and diagnosis of fetal chromosomal and genetic conditions
5. DISCUSS options for screening with non-stigmatising language
6. EVALUATE the possible advantages and disadvantages of screening beyond the common trisomies
7. OUTLINE prenatal diagnosis testing and chromosome testing for patients
8. EVALUATE preimplantation genetic testing for patients considering IVF

Course Units

• Tutorial 1: Genes, chromosomes and genomics
• Tutorial 2: Principles of reproductive screening
• Tutorial 3: Prenatal screening for chromosome conditions
• Tutorial 4: Genetic carrier screening
• Tutorial 5: Prenatal diagnosis of fetal genetic and chromosome conditions
• Tutorial 6: Assisted reproduction and preimplantation genetic testing

Knowledge and Skills

1. Understand the basis of genetic inheritance, mechanisms of genetic variation, and the difference between “genetics” and “genomics”
2. Apply the clinical and ethical principles underpinning prenatal screening to clinical practice
3. Identify couples that require a genetic counselling referral
4. Concisely articulate options for prenatal screening
5. Provide general information to patients about prenatal diagnostic procedures
6. Understand the indications and methods used for pre-implantation genetic testing
7. Describe the current options for genetic carrier screening
8. Recognise and reflect on the ethical considerations in prenatal genomic testing
9. Use disability-positive language when discussing genetic variation and congenital health conditions

Assessment

A Certificate is issued upon satisfactory completion of the course assessment requirements: 6 tutorial unit self-assessments and 10 case studies

Delivery Mode

Course completion requires approximately 12 hours of eLearning. This course is delivered online and students can study in their own time and location. Course materials can be accessed using a web browser

Accreditations

Course Advisory Group

Ms Caroline Carr, BN PGDipMid MMid
Caroline has been a Clinical Midwife Consultant at a tertiary maternity hospital for over 10 years with experience in midwifery education, driving organisational clinical practice change and implementing innovative collaborative models of care to enable continuity for women and their families. Caroline also is actively involved in research within midwifery practice and is committed to assisting midwives work to their full scope of practice.

Ms Melissa Graetz, BSW GradDip(Genetic Couns) FHGSA
Melissa has been a genetic counselor for more than 15 years and has a central role in the Perinatal Medicine and Genetics Services at the Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne. She is a fellow of the Human Genetics Society of Australasia and sits on the HGSA Board of Censors, which is the peak accrediting body for postgraduate genetic counselling programs and for the certification of genetic counsellors.

Dr Monica McGauran, BBiomed, MD, RANZCOG Trainee
Monica is a 4th year RANZCOG trainee based in Melbourne. She is actively involved in teaching medical students at the University of Melbourne through formal tutorials and co-founded the MercyTeach program, encouraging residents and registrars to tutor groups of medical students.

Dr Sewellyn Gale, MBBS DA(UK) DRANZCOG FRACGP
Sewellyn has been a rural GP, GP obstetrician and GP anaesthetist for 22 years. She is based in Leongatha in rural Victoria. She is strongly committed to providing holistic continuity for women, from pre-pregnancy counselling, antenatal and intrapartum care and family medicine.

Dr Simone Ridge, B Com B Soc Sci BMBS DCH FRACGP
Simone is a fellow of the RACGP and works as a GP in metropolitan Adelaide with special interests in women’s health, paediatrics, breastfeeding medicine and family planning/fertility. She is involved with teaching and supervision of GP registrars.

Ms Elizabeth Callinan, BA BSW MSocPolicy
Elizabeth is a Melbourne based freelance writer with a professional background in social policy. She advocates for timely and balanced information and support for prospective parents from a pro-choice, disability positive perspective.