Patient's question:
I would like to ask, since there was no pre-marital health check in the past, what tests should be done before planning to have a child now? First follow-up question: I am asking about the tests that should be done before pregnancy.Doctor's answer:
If you and he have decided to have a baby, then you and he need to undergo some pre-pregnancy health checks together to ensure that both of you are in good health before conception. Your and his physical health is the foundation for a healthy baby. Expert Answer: Which Pre-pregnancy Tests Should Be Done. To help all women who want to have a healthy baby, we advocate undergoing necessary health check-ups and genetic counseling during the pre-pregnancy stage. This is not only responsible for yourself but also responsible for the future of the baby. 3-6 months before pregnancy, both men and women should avoid exposure to harmful substances, quit bad habits, and it is best to have a health check-up. In some cities and regions with good pre-pregnancy health care, hospitals offer pre-pregnancy "packages" tailored for couples, which can be chosen based on the doctor's advice. Especially after the country abolished mandatory "marriage health checks," these "package" check-ups have increased the understanding of their own health for both partners, which can reduce many high-risk pregnancies and high-risk fetuses. The pre-pregnancy check-up items for the father include: routine health checks such as blood and urine tests, liver and kidney function tests, and semen analysis. Compared to the father, the mother has much more extensive check-up items, which also shows that the mother's health has a great impact on the baby. This includes: blood routine, urine routine, liver function, kidney function, electrocardiogram, blood pressure measurement, virus and antibody testing, nutritional status check, and gynecological examination. For expectant mothers who have had a history of miscarriage, more advanced tests are necessary. If both partners have diseases, it should be considered whether they can withstand the entire pregnancy and childbirth process, especially when the woman has diseases such as hepatitis, heart disease, kidney disease, or hypertension. Mild cases can be pregnant under the guidance of a doctor; severe cases should consult with internal medicine doctors, and if pregnancy is not suitable, active treatment should be pursued while using contraception. Those with the following conditions should seek medical help and follow the doctor's advice. (1) Family history of genetic diseases; (2) History of delivering babies with genetic diseases or congenital diseases; (3) Consanguineous marriage; (4) Women over the age of 35; (5) Either you or your husband has a congenital disease; (6) Three or more consecutive miscarriages.