Important Pre-Pregnancy Checkups

If you're thinking about trying to conceive, you've probably heard about getting a pre-pregnancy checkup 1 to 3 months before you start trying. It is vital to begin your pregnancy journey by scheduling an appointment with your gynecologist to learn about any critical issues and ensure a healthy start to your pregnancy. 

You can learn about your doctor's thoughts on helping you throughout pregnancy, birth, and postnatal care by taking pre-pregnancy tests. You'll also learn essential details about your present health and lifestyle, which may affect your baby's growth.

So, if you want to get pregnant, you're probably wondering if these pre-pregnancy tests are required, and if they are, how do you make use of all your upcoming appointment? Don't worry; read this article to know the answers to such questions.  

What are Pre-Pregnancy Check-Ups?

Your doctor may perform various pre-pregnancy tests on you and your partner to assure that you both are free from diseases that can destroy your chances of becoming parents. According to the results of those tests, your doctor will give you instructions to follow in some areas such as exercising, a healthy diet, lifestyle, and critical supplements. 

Also, he will suggest you change specific habits like smoking and drinking alcohol to have a secure pregnancy and a healthy baby. So, pre-pregnancy checkups are essential and valuable in keeping track of the expectant mother and her baby’s health in the initial months. 

Why is it Necessary to Have a Pre Conception Check-up?

A pre-pregnancy test is significant for a couple as it can improve the woman's chance of conceiving. With the check-up, your doctor will inspect that you are sufficiently healthy and physically ready to nurture and endure a child. 

A test before pregnancy can also lower the chance of congenital impairments, abnormalities, or miscarriage. It helps to clear out potential pregnancy troubles that may result from the man's or woman's existing health problems.

What Happens in the Pre-Pregnancy Examination? 

Your doctor will perform various examinations and tests during a pre-pregnancy check-up to ensure you are ready for pregnancy. Here are a few explanations:

1. Weight Assessment

Knowing if your body weight is ideal for carrying a baby is essential, so your doctor will check your weight. If you are underweight, then your doctor might advise some diet plans and medications to make your body adequately healthy to bear a child. 

The doctor will not recommend becoming pregnant unless your body weight is appropriate. Women's optimum Body Mass Index (BMI) should be between 18.5 and 22.9.

2. Screening for Mental Illness

If you have mental health problems like anxiety, depression, or eating disorders, then it can induce trouble for you while conceiving a baby. Since you might have enormous mood swings, it will interfere with your conception. 

A preconception mental health examination will perform by your doctor to reduce the risk of depressive disorders. It also applies to any changes to previously prescribed medications.

3. Urine Test

Your doctor will recommend a urine test to check the presence of a urinary tract infection and kidney disease as part of every pre-pregnancy check-up.

4. Gynaecological Examination 

Your doctor conducts this screening to review for uterine fibroids, cysts, benign tumors, or any pelvic inflammatory illnesses. It also inspects for irregular periods, PCOS, or other gynecological disorders that might hinder pregnancy.

5. Pelvic, Breast, and Abdominal Analyses

The pelvic test assesses infections like yeast or trichomoniasis, which may create an issue. Your stomach will examine to see any physical abnormalities, and your breasts will determine for lumps that might require attention.

6. Blood Pressure Checking

Your blood pressure will check to recognize extraordinarily high or extremely low BP, as both are not good and may lead to complications.

7. PAP Examination

A Pap test is an essential part of your first visit to a doctor. The doctor will perform this test by inserting a speculum into your vagina for a screening of the cervix. Then he will run a cotton swab over the cervix and gathers cells which will analyze in a lab. Also, this test evaluates if you have sexually-transmitted infections like gonorrhea, Hepatitis B syphilis, and HIV. If the doctor discovers abnormal cells during the inspection, he will perform a colposcopy.

8. Blood Tests

A doctor will suggest you do the blood tests to study for different circumstances:

• Vitamin D insufficiency
• Hemoglobin total
• Rh factor
• Varicella
• Hepatitis B
• Rubella
• Tuberculosis
• Toxoplasmosis
• STD
• Thyroid 

9. Complete Blood Count (CBC) Examination

It is a required test to evaluate if you should begin taking iron supplements. If you become pregnant while your body is deficient in iron, you may develop anemia.

10. Hepatitis B Test

If your doctor believes you are at risk for this disease, you should get this test. You can get a vaccination against Hepatitis B before becoming pregnant.

11. Herpes Test 

This test must perform before you are pregnant if you or your spouse have a history of herpes infection. This test should perform even if you have never had herpes signs.

12. Examination for Syphilis

This test assures that if the woman has syphilis, it will not pass on to the child. Because untreated syphilis can result in miscarriage, your doctor will advise you to do this test.

13. HIV Test 

The test for HIV is compulsory since HIV decreases the body’s capacity to fight infections by striking the body’s immune system. This virus can even transmit to your infant during birth and while breastfeeding.

Bottom Line 

A couple's choice to grow a family and bring a new life into the world is a big decision. However, it is good to plan for the baby's arrival by resolving parental health issues before becoming expectant. A healthy mother has a greater likelihood of a healthy pregnancy, so it's crucial to get all the necessary exams after talking with your doctor. 

I hope the knowledge this guide share has helped you know which tests your doctor will perform before pregnancy. Feel free to comment if you have doubts about the above context.