2022 Update: GEM is an invaluable tool for practitioners to provide education to patients via videos, written explanations, and value-based self-assessment available in both English and Spanish. GEM also provides education for providers which a practice may access for nursing, medical assistants and other obstetric providers who engage patients. The Perinatal Quality Foundation board and staff are pleased that the California Genetic Screening Program has chosen to provide the Genetic Education Modules (GEM) to its providers. GEM is a valuable addition to practices, providing videos, tools, and shared educational resources for providers and patients.

Developed by leading physicians and genetic counselors, GEM is a comprehensive, unbiased educational website to help women navigate the complexities of genetic testing in pregnancy. From the comfort of home, women and their partners can review information and videos to help better understand the various tests offered during pregnancy. GEM helps answer important questions like, “What are my risk factors?” “What information is available to know about a pregnancy before birth” or “How much information do I want about my pregnancy?”.

While most babies are born healthy, it is important to understand the options for obtaining genetic information about a pregnancy and baby's health. The site provides five interactive tools that can help women to decide which tests are best for them. GEM provides concise, accurate information necessary to help make a fact-based decision or help guide discussion about testing options with health care providers or family. Taking time to learn about the options for testing is the best way to make a plan for the pregnancy and the baby. There is no right or wrong answer about testing in pregnancy – just the one that is best for each person.