The Implications of the Overturning of Roe v. Wade on Prenatal Genetic Counseling

The overturning of Roe v. Wade in June of 2022 has left a lasting mark on the United States as it entered a Post Roe era that has dramatically changed the course of reproductive freedom, leaving much uncertainty throughout the country. With termination laws now at the discretion of the states rather than the federal government, the fate of access to pregnancy termination for medical indications is at stake. One area in healthcare where the overturning of Roe v. Wade is expected to demonstrate a significant impact is within prenatal care for individuals and couples at an increased risk of having a child affected by a genetic condition. This study aims to understand the impact the Post Roe Era has had on the conversations prenatal genetic counselors have with their patients considering termination in the southwest of the United States across the states of California, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico. The complexities of prenatal genetic counselors’ experiences with Roe v. Wade will be described by analyzing survey responses and informational interviews with practicing genetic counselors. When Roe v. Wade was overturned, it changed how prenatal genetic counselors care for their patients. The types of discussions providers have surrounding pregnancy termination now vary widely across the fifty states.