What medical checks are needed when preparing for pregnancy?
Disease description:
I never really planned to have a baby before, but now that I'm getting older, I might miss the optimal childbearing age if I don't start preparing for pregnancy soon. Recently, I've been planning to conceive and would like to undergo a checkup. I want to know what aspects should be examined when preparing for pregnancy?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhao Xiaodong
Pre-pregnancy checkups are an important step in ensuring the health of both mother and baby during pregnancy. The following are several aspects that should be examined during the preconception period:
1. Basic health checkup: A comprehensive physical examination is required, including basic tests such as blood routine, urine routine, liver function, and kidney function. These tests can help detect underlying health problems, such as anemia, infections, or other systemic diseases.
2. Reproductive health checkup: For women, examinations should include the regularity of menstrual cycles, ovulation status, cervical smear tests, and ultrasound scans to ensure the health of the reproductive system. Men should undergo semen analysis to evaluate sperm quality and quantity.
3. Genetic and infection screening: Genetic testing should be performed to screen for inherited diseases and to identify potential genetic risks. Additionally, screening for infectious diseases such as hepatitis B, syphilis, and HIV should be conducted to avoid adverse effects on pregnancy health.
If any abnormalities are detected in the test results, timely consultation with a specialist is recommended.
