Patient's question:
I am already 35 years old this year. Ten years ago, I gave birth to a child after a cesarean section, and a year later, I got pregnant again. Then I had an abortion and got an IUD. Now, due to other reasons, I want to have another child. What should I pay attention to now?Doctor's answer:
Pre-pregnancy prenatal screening items are similar to our health check-ups, and the number of items can vary. Below, we will explain a few of the more important items:General blood count test (CBC)
This test can determine the level of hemoglobin and identify anemia, allowing for early treatment. It also provides platelet counts. Platelets are related to blood clotting function, and childbirth involves some bleeding, so individuals with platelet issues should be treated before becoming pregnant. This test can also measure the size of red blood cells (MCV). The Chinese population has a high proportion of carriers of thalassemia. Thalassemia carriers have smaller red blood cells, and their MCV will be less than 80. This is an inherited genetic disorder, and only if both parents are carriers will the next generation be affected. Therefore, if the expectant mother's MCV is less than 80, the father must also have a blood test. If both have MCV values below 80, further tests such as blood electrophoresis and DNA analysis may be required. If only one partner has an MCV below 80, there is no need for concern. This is a genetic disorder that can be diagnosed prenatally, so the incidence of thalassemia in newborns has significantly decreased in recent years. Thus, the general blood count test (CBC) can be said to be a cost-effective yet highly valuable test.