Patient's question:
Detailed medical history and purpose of consultation: Six months ago, I was pregnant for two months, but I miscarried due to vaginal bleeding. Now I want to get pregnant again. What pre-pregnancy tests should I undergo?Current general condition: No health issues, menstrual cycle is approximately 34-40 days.
History of previous diagnosis and treatment, as well as effectiveness: During my last pregnancy at 61 days, I experienced vaginal bleeding. An ultrasound showed no fetal heartbeat.
Doctor's answer:
Pre-pregnancy prenatal screening items are similar to our health check-ups, with the number of items varying.Below is an explanation of a few important items:
General Blood Count Test (CBC)
This test can determine the level of hemoglobin, allowing for early treatment if anemia is detected, as well as providing platelet counts.
Platelets are related to blood clotting, and childbirth involves some bleeding. Therefore, individuals with platelet issues should undergo treatment before becoming pregnant.
This test can also measure the size of red blood cells (MCV). The Han Chinese population has a high proportion of carriers of thalassemia. Thalassemia carriers have smaller red blood cells, with an MCV below 80. This condition is an inherited genetic disorder, and only children whose parents are both carriers will be affected.
Thus, if the expectant mother’s MCV is below 80, the expectant father must also undergo a blood test. If both have an MCV below 80, further tests such as blood electrophoresis and DNA analysis may be required. If only one has an MCV below 80, there is no need for concern.
This is a genetic disorder that can be diagnosed prenatally, so the number of newborns with thalassemia has significantly decreased in recent years. Therefore, the General Blood Count Test (CBC) can be said to be a cost-effective yet highly valuable test.