Recently, more and more couples are planning a conception. This avoids many complications for both the expectant mother and the baby. Preparation for pregnancy includes many medical examinations - consultations of specialized specialists, laboratory and instrumental studies. What tests should be taken when planning a pregnancy?
Diagnostic examination
The list of necessary tests for planning pregnancy includes many items. Necessarily future parents need to undergo a comprehensive diagnostic examination. It’s worth starting with a visit to the gynecologist. It is advisable to prepare in advance for the first appointment. You need to remember all the chronic and hereditary diseases that affect both the expectant mother and her partner, the average duration and features of the menstrual cycle, to take a medical card with you. Some diseases (even those transferred in childhood) can affect the course of pregnancy and the health of the unborn baby. The most detailed information will allow the doctor to compose a complete picture of the future examination and already at this stage to identify possible problems.
Gynecological examination includes examination of external organs and examination with a mirror, palpation of the uterus and appendages, as well as mammary glands. The doctor will take swabs from the genital tract and direct the woman to other tests. The main list of analyzes includes:
- smear microscopy;
- analysis for infections transmitted through sexual contact;
- TORCH infection analysis.
With a burdened history (miscarriage in the past) or according to indications, additional studies and consultations of narrow specialists can be prescribed.
Infection tests
Tests for infections during pregnancy planning can prevent the danger that is associated with primary infection during gestation. If previously a woman did not suffer from a disease from the list of TORCH infections, caution should be exercised during pregnancy. The abbreviation consists of the first letters of the most dangerous infectious processes for the fetus: That is toxoplasmosis, R is rubella, C is cytomegalovirus, H is herpes.
If it is known for certain that a woman planning to conceive was ill with rubella in childhood, then this item in the list of necessary tests can be ignored without harm to health. In another case, you need to donate blood for IgG and IgM antibodies. If IgM is detected in the blood, and this happens very rarely, then primary infection occurs. Attempts to conceive a child should be postponed for three months. The presence of IgG antibodies indicates a previous disease and the acquisition of immunity to it. If both IgG and IgM are absent, then you need to be vaccinated. Conception can be planned after three months.
Toxoplasma infection occurs most often from cats. According to statistics, 75% of women of reproductive age have a risk of getting infected during pregnancy, the remaining 15% have already suffered this infection. If there are no IgM and IgG antibodies, care must be taken. Contact with dogs and cats should be limited, meat should be thoroughly cooked, washed and peeled vegetables and fruits immediately before use, washed with soap and water after handling seafood or meat.
Cytomegalovirus, if a woman becomes infected with them while carrying a baby, threatens the problems of fetal formation. The infection is usually transmitted by airborne droplets. If a high level of cytomegalovirus is found in the results of the analysis, then it is necessary to undergo a course of therapy, and only then plan a pregnancy. If the result is negative, it is enough to know and observe safety precautions, namely, wash your hands thoroughly and restrict communication with small children.
The herpes virus is normally in the body throughout life. Therapy can be aimed solely at reducing its activity. Analyzes should be passed to exclude primary infection during the bearing of the child.
If a woman has a history of miscarriage or abortion, something is bothering (profuse discharge, itching and burning in the perineum), pregnancy is planned using IVF, then an additional analysis should be performed for infections transmitted through sexual contact. If a future mother finds chlamydia or herpes, the partner must also donate blood for these infections.
Hormone assessment
An important step is to determine the concentration of hormones, given the phase of the menstrual cycle. The successful implementation of hormones determines the functioning of the entire reproductive system and the possibility of conception. With cycle disorders, acne, increased hair growth, obesity or an adverse gynecological history, the risk of an adverse outcome increases. A hormone test for planning pregnancy is also offered to expectant mothers who are over 35 years old.
The doctor pays special attention to the concentration of luteinizing hormone (LH), which is responsible for full ovulation. Blood sampling is performed on an empty stomach from the 3rd to the 8th or from the 19th to the 21st day of the cycle. A hormone test during pregnancy planning may aim to determine the level of follicle-stimulating substance (FSH). In women, this hormone provokes ovulation, and in men it increases the amount of testosterone in the blood, positively affects the maturation of full sperm.
In addition, the concentration can be determined:
- prolactin;
- estradiol (necessary for preparing the uterine mucosa for pregnancy);
- progesterone (creates favorable conditions for successful bearing);
- testosterone (responsible for the maturation of full-fledged male germ cells).
An exact list of tests when planning pregnancy in each case will be offered by the observing doctor.
Determination of Rhesus and blood type
It is recommended that prospective parents take a blood test when planning a pregnancy to determine the Rh factor and the group, antibodies to Rh. If a woman has a Rhesus factor and a man has a Rhesus factor, then this does not give cause for concern, but the opposite situation (negative Rhesus in a future mother and positive Rhesus and her partner) threatens the development of a Rhesus conflict.
The likelihood of antibody formation exists if the pregnancy is not the first, the woman underwent a gynecological operation or transfusion of blood, its elements. There may be complications from the immune system (for example, hemolytic disease), but, as a rule, this manifests itself in the second and subsequent pregnancies.
Sometimes there is a conflict in the group. The probability increases with the following combinations:
- the first blood type in a woman, and in a man any other;
- the second group is a woman, and the man has a third or fourth;
- the third group is for a woman, and the man has a second or fourth.
With such combinations, it is additionally recommended to do a blood test for antibodies, if pregnancy is not the first. If the couple is planning a first-born, then research should be carried out from the eighth week of pregnancy.
Other required studies
What tests should be taken when planning a pregnancy? A blood test for sugar will reveal carbohydrate metabolism disorders and diabetes. These diseases may not appear at an early stage, but will affect the formation of the fetus and may cause pathologies. A slight deviation from the norm is permissible. In this case, for a successful pregnancy, it is enough to undergo a course of therapy and maintain sugar at a normal level.
The coagulogram shows the rate of blood coagulation, which is a very important parameter. During childbirth (both natural and as a result of cesarean section) there is a loss of blood, sometimes very significant. If the blood of the expectant mother coagulates too slowly, this is a danger. In such cases, appropriate therapy is performed.
What other mandatory tests are there when planning a pregnancy? Analysis of a smear from the vagina on the flora gives an idea of the condition of the uterine mucosa. PCR studies can identify pathogens even if their content in the biomaterial is very small. Cytology of the cervix determines the presence or absence of cells, which may indicate the development of a neoplasm.
Additional medical activities
What tests should be taken when planning a pregnancy? In addition, the doctor may recommend examining the blood for hormones, as discussed above. This analysis is prescribed according to indications: with an unfavorable gynecological history, an unstable menstrual cycle, obviously insufficient weight or a suspicion of infertility. To diagnose antiphospholipid syndrome, an analysis is performed for the corresponding antibodies. This is a rare disease that threatens a miscarriage or fetal death.
With difficulties with conception, an analysis is shown for antibodies to hCG (chorionic gonadotropin). These antibodies reject a fertilized egg. If antibodies are detected, immunomodulatory therapy is prescribed, which will successfully conceive, endure and give birth to a healthy child. It is important that a few days before the test, it is necessary to abandon physical activity, alcohol, fried and too fatty foods, exposure to high temperatures, as this can distort the clinical picture. Some medications may affect the results.
Ultrasound diagnostics
Ultrasound is not a mandatory study when planning pregnancy, but is prescribed according to indications. Diagnosis is carried out in the first half of the cycle and sets the task of identifying various diseases that can create difficulties in conception. In some cases, surgical intervention is required: a benign neoplasm in the uterus, an ovarian cyst, a polyp of the mucosa. Ultrasound examination will eliminate the presence of pathologies in the organs responsible for reproductive function, which will ensure a favorable course of pregnancy.
Clinical examination before conception
What tests should be taken when planning a pregnancy? In addition, other studies may be required, which will be prescribed by specialized specialists, because the mandatory program for a woman includes a visit to a therapist, dentist and ENT doctor. It is widely believed that pregnancy has a negative effect on the condition of the teeth. Therefore, before conception, the expectant mother needs to cure all her teeth, and in an interesting position, take care to get enough calcium.
An ENT doctor will determine the presence and absence of chronic diseases of the ear, throat and nose. Any pregnancy is a weakening of the body's immune defense. But we must not allow infections through the placental barrier to reach the baby. Influenza and SARS can cause pathologies of the development of the neural tube of the fetus.
The therapist will give an opinion on the general health status of the expectant mother and her partner. If necessary, this doctor will refer the woman to specialized specialists. Also, if necessary, a geneticist or endocrinologist should be visited during pregnancy planning.
Tests for men
What tests to pass to a man? When planning pregnancy for a couple, there are general tests, in addition, the future father needs to check the state of reproductive function. Common to parents are blood, urine and feces. In preparation for paternity, a man needs to cure all infections and (if infertility is suspected) undergo a series of additional studies. Mandatory analysis - PCR from the urethra to herpes, chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus and ureaplasmosis. These diseases are quite dangerous for pregnant women and are easily transmitted by intimate contact. They will not interfere with the conception of a child, but can negatively affect their health.
What tests to pass to a man? When planning a pregnancy, parents must first undergo a medical examination. Additionally, the future father can be assigned:
- spermogram;
- MAR test
- Kruger criteria study;
- hormone analysis.
These studies are shown if difficulties arise in conception, and from the side of the future mother there are no violations.
Genetic tests
Genetic tests, for example, analysis for thrombophilia, when planning pregnancy, it is necessary to pass those parents who are planning a child aged 35+. In addition, such studies are shown if the family already has a child with special needs. About 5% of children are born with various genetic abnormalities, but their presence is not always a disaster for the child and his loved ones. An analysis of genetics during pregnancy planning will reveal the risk of possible genetic abnormalities and increase the chances of having a healthy baby.
Preparing for Conception
What tests to pass when planning a pregnancy for a woman and a man? Now it is known. The list is very extensive, but a serious attitude to your health and the health of the unborn child is more important than the time spent on medical examinations. If no abnormalities have been identified with potential parents, you can begin active preparation for conception. It is recommended for 2-3 months to refuse to take medicine without consulting a doctor, do not smoke or drink alcohol-containing drinks, try not to get sick, take vitamins for those planning pregnancy and folic acid, and refuse to visit the bath and sauna. Then health problems will not overshadow the long-awaited meeting with the baby.