Patient's question:
I would like to ask, since there was no pre-marital health check in the past, what should I do before trying 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 do some pre-pregnancy health checks together to ensure that both of you are in good health before pregnancy. Your and his physical health is the foundation for carrying a healthy baby.Expert Answer: What Pre-pregnancy Tests Should Be Done.
To help all women who want to have a healthy baby, we advocate undergoing necessary health examinations and genetic counseling during the pre-pregnancy stage. This is not only responsible for yourself but also for the future of the baby.
3 to 6 months before pregnancy, both men and women should avoid exposure to harmful substances and quit bad habits. It is best to have a health check. In some cities and regions with good pre-pregnancy health care, hospitals offer pre-pregnancy "packages" tailored for couples, which can be selected based on the doctor's advice. Especially after the country abolished mandatory pre-marital health checks, these "packages" have increased the understanding of their own health for both partners, reducing many high-risk pregnancies and high-risk fetuses.
The pre-pregnancy health check for the father includes routine health tests such as blood and urine tests, liver and kidney function tests, and semen analysis. Compared to the father, the mother has much more extensive tests, which also shows that the mother's health has a significant impact on the baby. This includes: blood routine, urine routine, liver function, kidney function, electrocardiogram, blood pressure measurement, viral and antibody tests, nutritional status examination, and gynecological examinations.
For expectant mothers who have had a history of miscarriage, more advanced tests are needed. If both partners have diseases, it should be considered whether they can tolerate the entire pregnancy and childbirth process, especially if the mother has diseases such as hepatitis, heart disease, kidney disease, or high blood pressure. Mild cases can be pregnant under the guidance of a doctor; severe cases should consult with internal medicine doctors. If not suitable for pregnancy, 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 giving birth to infants with genetic or congenital diseases;
(3) Consanguineous marriage;
(4) Maternal age over 35;
(5) Either you or your husband has a congenital disease;
(6) Three or more consecutive miscarriages.