Pregnancy and motherhood are one of the most precious things in a woman's life. They are both challenging and delightful at the same time. Things like this need regular care and nurturing. Not only that, in the case of pregnancy: care should be started way before you even conceive. It is where a pre-pregnancy checkup comes in. So, what is it? And what does it include?
This blog will guide you with everything you need to know about pre-pregnancy checkups. Hence, do give it a read.
What is a Pre-pregnancy checkup?
A pre-pregnancy checkup is simply a health checkup you do before your pregnancy to ensure that you are in optimum health to get pregnant. This checkup includes blood tests, ultrasonography, urine test, genetic examination, and many more. During this checkup, your healthcare provider will look through your health condition to see any abnormalities or health deviations that may later affect you or your baby. This checkup is particularly needed because the 1st few weeks after conception are vital for the baby's growth and development. And any irregularity during this time can later lead to lifelong impairment. It is, therefore, essential to find any risk factor as early as possible that could later affect the mother or the child.
What does a pre-pregnancy checkup include?
Listed below is the checklist for a pre-pregnancy checkup.
1. General examination and investigations
Your doctor will start by taking a complete medical history. It includes drugs, allergic, obstetric, gynecologic, and family history. Medical histories are essential to diagnose risk factors if present. Any previous pregnancy complications and gynaecological problems like fibroids draw attention to extra care.
Also, they will prioritise the medicine you take and, if necessary, recommends pregnancy-safer drugs. Besides this, they will run some examinations and investigations, which are listed below.
Physical examination
Height and weight are measured, and then the BMI is calculated. It is to make sure the mother is not overweight or underweight for pregnancy. Also, blood pressure is measured and managed at the earliest.
Pelvic examination
It includes an examination of your vagina, cervix, vulva, and breast for any lumps (cancerous or noncancerous) or abnormalities. And a vaginal swab is also taken to check for any sexually and vertically transmitted diseases like chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhoea. Also, your doctors will perform a pelvic ultrasound to ensure that your pelvic organs are intact and healthy.
Pap smear test
A Pap smear is done to rule out cervical cancer.
Blood and urine test
A blood test is vital, and it helps in indicating many diseases. Decreased amount of RBC, if present, leads to a condition called anaemia. Therefore, before pregnancy, proper treatment of anaemia is to be done.
Also, tests for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis, and herpes are done. And most importantly, Rh factor, blood sugar, and thyroid test are done.
2. Genetic examination
Genetic diseases have a sure-shot chance of prevention if tested correctly. With genetic testing, many inherited diseases like thalassemia, sickle cell anaemia, and cystic fibrosis is diagnosed and prevented.
3. Vaccination and supplementation
The goal of pre-pregnancy checkups; is not only to screen but also to take action. Therefore during pre-pregnancy checkups, your doctor will make sure; you are appropriately vaccinated and given the necessary supplementation.
Some of the vaccines, like rubella and measles, have a chance of causing congenital disabilities. So, your doctor will most likely advise you to wait for 28-30 days before construction. Also, folic acid supplementation is given before the pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects.
4. Counselling
Counselling plays a big part in pre-pregnancy checkups. It is because a mother needs to be both physically and mentally prepared. And as we know, Besides physical health, mental health also plays a vital role in pregnancy. So, the mother is counselled regarding the risk factors, the duration, and the process of pregnancy.
Takeaway
Pre-pregnancy checks ups play an integral part in pregnancy. It ensures a safe, healthy and complication-free pregnancy.
Belle Vue’s Cambridge Hospital has been providing the best pre-pregnancy checkups. You can contact us at +91 96630 11112 or visit our website http://cambridgehospital.in/ Also, you can directly book an appointment at Belle Vue’s Cambridge Hospital. We are currently located at Halasuru, Bengaluru
