What should be paid attention to before preparing for pregnancy?

Patient's question:

Gender: Female
Detailed medical condition and consultation purpose: I am 35 years old and want to get pregnant recently. What should I pay attention to? For my age, do I need to have some imaging tests or ultrasounds in advance? And what are the specific functions of imaging tests and ultrasounds?
Current general condition: Have not been pregnant before, no history of abortion
Medical history: Had candidiasis vaginitis before, which has been cured
Other: Got married in October this year

Doctor's answer:

Hello, for elderly pregnant women, the following examinations are generally required.
　Ultrasonic Examination
　　It is usually performed twice, once at 12 weeks and again at 20 weeks. This examination can further determine your gestational age and identify any developmental abnormalities, such as cleft palate or organ abnormalities, while also detecting multiple pregnancies. All pregnant women should undergo this examination.
　　Chorionic Villus Sampling and Amniotic Fluid Examination
　　1. Around 11 weeks, a biopsy needle is inserted through the cervix or abdominal wall into the uterine cavity to reach the placenta, where a small amount of chorionic villus tissue is taken for examination.
　　2. Alternatively, around 16 weeks, under anesthesia, a needle is used to puncture the amniotic sac to collect amniotic fluid and fetal cells for examination.
　　These are highly accurate methods for detecting fetal abnormalities. This examination is generally used for elderly pregnant women and carries a risk of inducing miscarriage, requiring guidance from experienced doctors.
　　Fetoscopy
　　After 20 weeks, under local anesthesia, a needle is used to take fetal umbilical cord blood for examination. This method can detect chromosomal abnormalities and hereditary blood diseases. It is only used for high-risk pregnant women and has a higher risk of inducing miscarriage than amniotic fluid examination.
　　Alpha-Fetoprotein Testing
　　Performed between 16 and 20 weeks, this is a safe blood test that measures the level of alpha-fetoprotein in the blood. It can detect neural tube defects, Down syndrome, kidney and liver diseases, and is a mandatory examination for all pregnant women.
　　Pregnancy Discipline for Elderly Pregnant Women