Our Geneticist

OUR GENETICISTS

At MFM Associates, our team assists patients with some of the most complicated issues facing expectant parents today. We help patients better understand their genetic testing options, genetic test results, and how these results can impact their health.  We also help families understand the meaning and limitations of genetic testing. One of our team’s many skills is their ability to listen to the patient’s story, bring forward their values and priorities, and use these factors to provide personalized guidance and advice.

What Does a Geneticist Do?

A geneticist’s role is to review your genetics by gathering information on your family health history and results from DNA testing. With this information, they can then help you make informed decisions about your health care, including reproductive health and fertility options. Often, services with a geneticist are considered genetic counseling, meaning that they will counsel you to help you best understand any testing results and your best options. Many geneticists work together with genetic counselors.

Prenatal and Preconception Genetic Screening

During preconception and prenatal genetic consultations, our team can help you understand the range of possible outcomes if your child inherits a genetic condition or interpret complex test results from an amniocentesis.

Antepartum Genetic Counseling for Complex Genetic Cases

Antepartum genetic counseling occurs during pregnancy for patients who have particularly complex genetic cases.

Consultation Prior to IVF

Genetic consultation before IVF helps parents understand how assisted reproductive technologies can be useful. Our team can explain the various genetic testing technologies to patients who are preparing for IVF.

Before implantation in an IVF cycle, an embryo’s genetics can be tested to screen for conditions that can cause issues like implantation failure, miscarriage, and birth defects. This testing is called pre-implantation genetic testing.

Pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) can be used to screen embryos for chromosome imbalances and other genetic conditions. Our team can consult with patients to discuss the implications of using an embryo with abnormal or mosaic PGT results. Patients can learn about their options for testing embryos for a specific genetic condition that the parents carry before they are implanted.

Making an informed decision regarding IVF and PGT helps to give parents the best chances for a healthy outcome.

Carrier Screening

Genetic carrier screening involves testing your DNA through a blood test to see if you and your partner are carriers for common inherited diseases.

Amniocentesis

Performed for expectant mothers between 16 and 22 weeks, an amniocentesis evaluates a sample of amniotic fluid to check for chromosomal and single-gene abnormalities that cause conditions such as Down syndrome or cystic fibrosis. Amniocentesis is available to any woman of any age. The results from an amniocentesis are diagnostic (definitive).

Chorionic Villus Sampling

Chorionic Villus Sampling, or CVS, is performed for expectant mothers between 11 and 14 weeks gestation. A CVS is a biopsy of the placenta and involves testing a sample of tissue from the placenta to check for chromosomal and single-gene abnormalities.  Chorionic villus sampling is available to any woman of any age. The results from a CVS are diagnostic (definitive).

Meet Dr. Tamar Goldwaser

Dr. Tamar Goldwaser is our geneticist at Maternal Fetal Medicine Associates. Dr. Goldwaser is board certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Clinical Genetics, so she is uniquely qualified to assist patients with genetic counseling, screening, or testing through pregnancy. Dr. Goldwaser graduated summa cum laude from Barnard College with a B.A. in Neuroscience and Behavior. She earned her medical degree from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Dr. Goldwaser completed her Ob-Gyn residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She then completed a Clinical Genetics residency at Montefiore Medical Center. In addition to working as a geneticist, Dr. Goldwaser is an expert in performing prenatal ultrasounds and prenatal diagnostic procedures for fetal abnormalities. Dr. Goldwaser has vast experience in the field of cancer genetics for adult men and women. Dr. Goldwaser is a member of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), where she serves on the Professional Practice and Guidelines committee.

Meet Laura Mueller

Laura Mueller, MS, CGC, is a board-certified genetic counselor. She received her B.S. in Molecular Genetics from the University of Rochester. She earned her Masters in Genetic Counseling from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Laura specializes in prenatal genetic counseling and meets with patients in preconception and prenatal settings. Laura aims to make complex genetic concepts and genetic testing results understandable. She strives to provide her patients with the information and support necessary to make informed decisions about genetic testing.

Who Should See a Geneticist?

Many patients can benefit from a consultation with a geneticist. Those with family histories of genetic conditions are especially encouraged to meet with a geneticist, ideally before but also during a pregnancy.  Patients with a history of a pregnancy with any birth defects or genetic abnormalities can also benefit from a preconception genetic consultation. Patients who are concerned about their risk of developing cancers due to a family history of cancer or a known familial genetic mutation/variant, such as BRCA1, BRCA2, or Lynch syndrome, should seek out the guidance of a geneticist.

Outside of these higher risk factors, virtually any patient can benefit from genetic counseling or screening if they are considering getting pregnant. Our team can evaluate your best options.

Schedule a Consultation

To meet with our team, schedule a consultation at MFM Associates. Call our office at (212) 235-1335 or contact us online.