For eight agonizing days, Kristin lived in limbo, believing her pregnancy might not be viable. Each moment felt like an eternity, clouded with uncertainty and grief. “It was like a dark cloud descended over what should have been one of the happiest times of my life,” she recalls.

Finally, after relentless questioning and research, Kristin uncovered a shocking truth: the test she had taken wasn’t designed to work for individuals weighing more than 165 pounds. Instead of providing accurate results, the company had flagged her as high-risk based solely on her body mass index (BMI) and age—factors that had nothing to do with the baby’s actual health.

Kristin was outraged. “How could a company market a test in the U.S. without making its limitations clear? The average BMI for women over 20 in this country is 29.6, and yet this test was designed for people well below that average,” she said. “It felt like a betrayal—not just to me, but to anyone who trusts these companies to provide reliable information during such a vulnerable time.”

As someone acutely aware of systemic biases in healthcare, Kristin was disheartened but not surprised. “Healthcare already has a built-in ‘otherness’ factor. If you’re not thin, white, heterosexual, and financially secure, you’re often marginalized. This experience just reinforced that.”

Determined to find answers, Kristin sought a second opinion and retested with the Prequel® Prenatal Screen, a test designed to provide clear, accurate results regardless of BMI. This time, the news was overwhelmingly positive: her baby was at low risk for chromosomal conditions.

Relief washed over her. “It was like a weight had been lifted. I could finally breathe again and enjoy my pregnancy.” And enjoy it she did. Kristin’s pregnancy was uneventful, and she gave birth to a healthy, happy baby—a child she affectionately describes as “immensely joyful and absolutely huge.”

Looking back, Kristin is vocal about the importance of transparency and inclusivity in healthcare. “Every parent deserves accurate information, not unnecessary fear. If I could give one piece of advice to other expectant parents, it’s this: get the Prequel screen right out of the gate. You deserve peace of mind.”

* Main image is a stock photo

Reviewed by Eric Rothman

Eric Rothman is a Senior Marketing Manager at Myriad Genetics, specializing in patient and provider lifecycle marketing strategies. Since joining Myriad in 2022, Eric has helped drive content strategy to promote Myriad’s Women’s Health products and its core mission of empowering people with genetic insights to help make informed healthcare decisions. 

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