prepair carrier screening
Thinking about having a baby or
currently pregnant?
Understanding what's in your genes can help you make informed
choices about family planning.
5 things to know about carrier screening
Carrier screening involves testing you and your reproductive partner to find out if you are carriers for a genetic condition.- Having one faulty copy and one working copy of a gene is called being a carrier. Being a carrier usually does not affect your health.
- Most people who are identified as a carrier have no family history of the condition.
- If you and your reproductive partner are both carriers for the same condition, you usually have a 1 in 4 (or 25%) chance of having a child with that condition.
- Knowing this information can be useful when starting a family.
Is carrier screening right for me?
Choosing to have carrier screening is a personal choice and there are lots of things to consider. Here are some points to help you think about your feelings and views on this test. It may help to discuss these with your partner (or doctor) before having screening.
How to arrange testing through VCGSOnly for AUS and NZ patients using saliva
- Step 1
Consider the prepair option that is right for you.
Contact our genetic counsellors if you have questions.
Email us
- Step 2
Choose your test option below.
This will take you to our order & pay portal.
- Step 3
We'll send you a saliva kit to collect your sample.
Follow the instructions provided and return your sample to VCGS.
* If you prefer blood, take your test request form to an affiliated collection site. Do not order below.
choose your test
There are three levels of testing with prepair
prepair 3
prepair 500+
prepair 1000+
Screens for 3 inherited conditions: Cystic fibrosis (CF), fragile X syndrome (FXS) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
Screens for a wider range of genetic conditions, including CF, FXS and SMA.
The most comprehensive option that looks for over 750 conditions, including CF, FXS and SMA.
Biological female usually screened first. Partner only screened if female is a carrier for CF or SMA.
Both biological parents screened together (couple based test).
Both biological parents screened together (couple based test).
Takes 2-3 weeks (from when lab receives sample).
Takes 6-8 weeks (from when lab receives sample).
Takes 6-8 weeks (from when lab receives sample).
Bulk billed for Medicare eligible patients.
Non-Medicare - $389
$975/couple if Medicare eligible for prepair 3.
Non-Medicare - $1364
$1500/couple if Medicare eligible for prepair 3.
Non-Medicare - $1889
Saliva or blood samples ideally collected before 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Saliva or blood samples ideally collected before 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Saliva or blood samples ideally collected before 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Individual carrier status for CF, FXS, SMA.
Individual carrier status for CF, FXS and SMA is reported for female only.
A couple-based risk is reported for 500+.
Read more about results here.
Individual carrier status for CF, FXS and SMA is reported for female only.
A couple-based risk is reported for 1000+.
Read more about results here.
prepair 3
Screens for 3 inherited conditions: Cystic fibrosis (CF), fragile X syndrome (FXS) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
Biological female usually screened first. Partner only screened if female is a carrier for CF or SMA.
Takes 2-3 weeks (from when lab receives sample).
Bulk billed for Medicare eligible patients.
Non-Medicare - $389
Saliva or blood samples ideally collected before 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Individual carrier status for CF, FXS, SMA.
For individual IVF/donor pathway email us at [email protected]
*Only applicable for Medicare card holders.
Medicare for prepair 3 requires the female be tested first with male testing for CF/SMA only if female reproductive partner is a carrier.
Courier fees may apply for NZ orders.
NOTE: Carrier screening is for the people who are, or will be, the genetic parents
(male and female biological parents) of the planned or future pregnancy.
