How Does a Pre-Pregnancy Check-up Help?

Deciding to have a baby is a thrilling and transformative decision. To prepare for a healthy pregnancy, it's essential to have a comprehensive preconception checkup. A full-body evaluation will help address any health concerns beforehand and ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy.

Why is a Pre-pregnancy Check-up Performed?

When you visit your healthcare provider, they will discuss your family history along with your partner's. This information can help them identify genetic conditions or anomalies the child may inherit. It's important to share details about your medical past, including conditions like high blood pressure, blindness, diabetes, deafness, mental disorders, and congenital disorders. This information can help your healthcare provider decide if additional tests or monitoring are necessary during pregnancy.

During the consultation, your doctor will inquire about:

• Prior transfusion, surgery procedures or hospitalizations.
• Pre-existing medical conditions.
• Known allergies.
• Current medication usage.

This information is critical for maternal and fetal health during pregnancy.

It may be necessary for the doctor to know about your OB/GYN history during your medical history discussion. Specific topics that your doctor may cover include:

• Menstrual history
• Use of contraceptives
• Prior incidents of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Previous pregnancies.
• Uterine issues.
• Vaginal infections
• Pap smears examination and treatment.

A healthy lifestyle, balanced nutrition, exercise, avoiding drugs and smoking, and minimizing exposure to environmental hazards are essential during pregnancy. Your provider may also need to update or administer vaccinations before pregnancy, so bring your vaccination records to your appointment.

Necessary Steps

Your preconception checkup will involve tests and screenings that are specific to pre-pregnancy, as well as standard screenings which may include:

• Pap smear test
• Examination of the pelvis, abdomen and breasts
• Blood pressure measurement
• Weight measurement
• Screening for gynaecological issues that may affect fertility or pregnancy, such as PCOS, cysts, benign tumours, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, or PID
• Urine test to check for UTIs and kidney disease
• Blood test to check for anaemia, Rh factor, vitamin D levels, Rh factor, varicella titers, rubella titers, tuberculosis (if at high risk), toxoplasmosis titers, hepatitis B titers (if in a high-risk group), cytomegalovirus titers, and thyroid function.
• A mental health screening for eating disorders, anxiety depression or any other mental health condition that may impact conception and increase the risk of developing mood disorders at the time of pregnancy and during postpartum.

Fertility Tests

Besides the above-mentioned tests, one typically doesn't need any additional tests during the first preconception checkup. However, if you're over 35 and hoping to conceive, the doctor may recommend certain fertility tests. These tests can identify potential difficulties in conceiving and help develop a personalised treatment plan.

The doctors may conduct a blood test to measure your progesterone levels, which can confirm whether you're ovulating, typically done around day 21 of your menstrual cycle. They may also test for FSH and estradiol hormones, which can be done on day 3 of your menstrual cycle, and indicate the number of eggs present in your ovaries. Additionally, they may test for anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), which can measure your ovarian reserve.

In case the doctors suspect you may have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), tests are conducted to check for other hormones such as testosterone and DHEA-S to provide a more accurate diagnosis. These tests are tailored to your individual needs and circumstances so that the doctors can work with you to develop a plan that fits your unique situation.

Vaccination Before Conception

Even if you got all your vaccines as a child, you might need some booster shots to keep your immunity strong. Your doctor will check your immunity levels during your preconception checkup to make sure you and your future baby stay healthy. It's important because some vaccines can't be given during pregnancy, and babies aren't fully protected against diseases until at least 6 months of age. Here are some vaccines you might need before trying to conceive:

• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
• Chickenpox (varicella)
• Hepatitis B
• HPV (human papillomavirus)
• COVID-19

It's also important to get the flu shot and the Tetanus-diphtheria pertussis (Tdap) vaccine during pregnancy. Remember to wait at least one month after getting a vaccine before trying to conceive.

Conclusion

Towards the end of your initial prenatal appointment, your doctor will discuss any further tests that may be necessary. Additional testing may be recommended if you're at an increased risk of having a baby with a genetic or chromosomal condition, such as cystic fibrosis or Down syndrome.

Your doctor may also suggest or prescribe a prenatal vitamin that's specially formulated for pregnant individuals. These vitamins contain folic acid, which is important for shielding your baby from certain birth defects. You can learn more about pre-conception check-ups from our trained professionals.

Request an appointment at Apollo Cradle, Bengaluru - Jayanagar. Call 1860-500-4424 to book an appointment.