How compatible are you, genetically?
Most inherited conditions only matter when both partners share a variant in the same gene. Compatibility testing reads both of you together and tells you the shared story.
- Both partners screened together
- Joint risk report for future children
- Especially valuable for consanguineous couples
- Clear plain-language explanation
The math of inherited risk, in three plain-language steps.
1. We sequence both partners
Whole exome sequencing on each partner's blood sample identifies variants across 20,000+ genes.
2. We match shared genes
Variants in each partner's exome are cross-referenced. Where both carry a variant in the same gene, that becomes a shared-risk finding.
3. We report the couple-level risk
For each shared finding, the report explains the condition, the inheritance pattern, and the chance per pregnancy that a child would be affected.
If we're both carriers of the same gene, what happens?
For recessive conditions (the most common pattern), every pregnancy carries the same odds — independent of previous pregnancies:
Affected child
Inherited both altered copies — from mother and father
Carrier child
Inherited one altered copy — healthy like you
Unaffected child
Inherited neither altered copy
These numbers apply to autosomal recessive inheritance — the most common pattern for rare inherited disease. Other patterns (dominant, X-linked) have different odds, and counseling explains your specific situation.
Compatibility testing is especially valuable for:
Cousin and related couples
Related partners share more of their DNA — increasing the chance both carry the same rare variant. Compatibility testing quantifies that risk, gene by gene.
Couples with a family history
If there's a known inherited condition in either family, targeted compatibility screening confirms whether the other partner is also a carrier.
Any couple wanting clarity
Most inherited conditions come from healthy carrier parents with no family history. Comprehensive compatibility screening protects couples who would otherwise never know.
Compatibility testing questions.
What is genetic compatibility testing?
A genetic test that analyzes both partners together to identify inherited conditions where both are carriers of a variant in the same gene. The result is a joint report that shows shared risk to your future children.
Why is compatibility different from individual testing?
An individual carrier report tells you what you personally carry. A compatibility report tells you what you and your partner share. For recessive conditions, only the shared picture predicts risk to a child.
What does 'carrier' mean?
A carrier has one working copy of a gene and one non-working copy. Carriers are usually completely healthy — but if two carriers of the same gene have a child, that child has a 25% chance of being affected with the condition.
What conditions are covered?
NAWA's compatibility screen uses whole exome sequencing to cover 4,000+ inherited conditions — blood disorders, metabolic diseases, neurological conditions, cardiac disorders, and more.
What if we're related?
Consanguineous couples (first cousins, second cousins) have a higher baseline risk of shared rare variants. Compatibility testing is especially valuable for related couples, and NAWA's report accounts for this in the risk discussion.
What if we already have a child with a genetic condition?
Testing can confirm which gene is involved, clarify inheritance for future pregnancies, and inform reproductive options. Speak to a NAWA specialist before booking — a targeted approach may be better than a general screen.