[Genetic counseling, a contribution to family planning]

Since introduction of oral contraceptives "family planning" is mostly understood as birth control. In contrast the gynecologist and the genetic counselor are often confronted with the desire of proconceptive methods. The counselor has different possibilities in family planning: reduction of the age of reproduction; consideration of "safety interval" between the birth of children: a. in families affected with a hereditary disease with late manifestation, b. after exposition to x-rays, cytotoxic or immunosupressant agents; warning against reproduction in case of high genetic risk and missing of prenatal diagnostic procedures; application of modern diagnostic procedures, i.e. detection of carrier in affected families, i.e. prenatal diagnostics. Genetic counseling is a way to help to plan his family, specially in families affected with hereditary diseases and other risks.