Patient's question:
When I was eight weeks pregnant, the ultrasound showed that the gestational sac was empty, with no embryonic development and no fetal heartbeat. I had to undergo an abortion.What issues could cause an empty gestational sac? What tests should be done before the next pregnancy?
Doctor's answer:
Hello: Based on the situation you described, it is recommended that you actively go to the hospital for a detailed endocrine examination to determine the specific treatment and medication. The pre-pregnancy health checkup includes various items, similar to our general health checkups, and the number of items can be adjusted as needed.Below is an explanation of some of the more important items:
Complete Blood Count (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. Therefore, individuals with platelet issues should be treated before becoming pregnant.
This test can also measure the size of red blood cells (MCV). The Han Chinese population has a high prevalence of thalassemia carriers. Thalassemia carriers have smaller red blood cells, with an MCV below 80. This is an inherited disease, and only if both parents are carriers will the next generation be affected.
Therefore, if the expectant mother has an MCV below 80, the expectant father should also have 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 to worry.
This is a genetic disease that can be diagnosed prenatally, so the number of newborns with thalassemia has significantly decreased in recent years. Thus, the Complete Blood Count (CBC) can be considered a cost-effective test with very important results.