When planning a baby's birth, you should consult a specialist. He will prescribe a number of necessary examinations and tell you what tests to take when planning a pregnancy. An important part of the examination is hormone testing when planning pregnancy. They are primarily prescribed to women who have had a pregnancy with an unfavorable outcome, to patients with an irregular menstrual cycle, as well as to those over 35 years old. Hormone tests when planning pregnancy are prescribed for women with signs of hyperandrogenism, some of which are acne, increased body hair and obesity. Also, these analyzes are shown to couples who have not conceived for more than a year.
The following hormones are actively involved in the successful conception, gestation and birth of a healthy baby:
- Progesterone . This hormone provides all the conditions necessary for pregnancy. In case of a deficiency in the body of progesterone, miscarriages occur, also for this reason infertility occurs . Analyzes for this hormone should be carried out on 19-21 in a row the day of the cycle.
- Testosterone Many already know that this is a male hormone. The high content of testosterone in the female body leads to improper ovulation, and also provokes a miscarriage.
- Prolactin. It affects the formation of such a hormone as follicle-stimulating , which, in turn, affects the formation of estrogen, and is also responsible for the growth in the ovary of the egg. Hormone tests when planning pregnancy should be taken on the third or seventh day of the cycle.
- Luteinizing hormone . He is responsible for the maturation of the egg and its ovulation. In addition, it produces progesterone. Blood tests for this hormone are also given on the third or seventh day of the cycle.
- Estradiol . This hormone prepares the uterus for conception and upcoming pregnancy.
- DEA sulfate is a male hormone. An increased amount in the woman’s body causes infertility and malfunctioning of the ovaries.
Hormone tests when planning pregnancy should be taken on an empty stomach in the morning. The question about the list of additional analyzes is purely individual. A gynecologist will help you answer it. He will tell you what else to take tests when planning a pregnancy, in addition to hormonal. Among them may be the following:
- a blood test (a general analysis will help to identify a number of existing health problems, and a biochemical analysis will help to check the functioning of the main organs), sugar (to identify the risk of diabetes), the blood group of the expectant mother, and the Rh factor (to exclude the occurrence of Rh conflict );
- urinalysis (to determine possible problems in the work of the kidneys);
- bacteriological culture (helps assess the vaginal microflora);
- infection tests - to eliminate the risk of having a baby with congenital diseases or defects.
In addition, it is necessary to undergo an ultrasound examination of organs located in the pelvic area (performed to assess the health of the pelvic organs, as well as to prevent possible problems during childbirth).