Clinical, Ethical, and Practical Implications of Prenatal Genetics for Nurses: Part II

Prenatal genetic testing is integral to routine prenatal care, allowing for early identification of fetal anomalies and informing pregnancy care decisions. Rapidly evolving reproductive health policies have created a complex and contradictory landscape for women's health nurses. Emerging reproductive privacy policies and legal scrutiny of pregnancy loss further complicate clinical practice by introducing risks related to nurse documentation, disclosure, and liability. This article describes how policy changes impact prenatal genetic testing, counseling, and pregnancy management options. The article highlights the critical role of nurses in prenatal genetics care and the need to adopt new counseling strategies, facilitate informed decision-making, and support patients making reproductive care choices in increasingly restrictive environments.