How important is a health check before pregnancy?

by Abdullah Arif · June 14, 2024

Health check before pregnancy Can find hidden diseases that are passed on through genes The parents may be carriers of the disease without realizing it.
Health check before pregnancy Suitable for general married couples Spouses who have a genetic disease or are carriers of the disease Including couples who have infertility. And most importantly, for married couples who want to have children who are as healthy and complete as possible, genetic testing before conception. To screen and diagnose abnormalities in more than 500 recessive genes, reduce the risk of more than 500 genetic diseases, and have an accuracy of up to 95%.

With education, job duties and economic conditions As a result, today’s young people are getting married later. and decide to have children when they are ready Health check before pregnancy Therefore, it is important for planning to have children. Especially in older married couples. Because in addition to helping prevent infection that can spread to the baby It is also possible to find hidden diseases that are passed on through genes. The parents may be carriers of the disease without realizing it.

How important is a health check before pregnancy?

Studies have shown that up to 80% of babies are born with genetic diseases even though there is no previous family history. In addition to pre-pregnancy health screening to find underlying diseases, genetic testing can also be done before pregnancy. To screen and diagnose abnormalities in more than 500 recessive genes, reducing the risk of more than 500 genetic diseases and with an accuracy as high as 95%. In addition, if a couple is found to be infertile, Doctors can select the most normal embryos. to insert back into the uterus Can increase the chance of pregnancy.

What is a health check before pregnancy?

Basic health examinations are no different for women and men. However, there may be additional examinations in detail as follows:

blood test

Check blood group Know what blood group each person has. For convenience in case of emergency blood need
Check the blood type (Rh Factor). Thai people generally have an Rh+ value, but some may be found to have the Rh- type. If the mother-to-be has Rh- blood when pregnant, it will increase the risk of problems for the child. in pregnancy
It is a test for abnormalities of hemoglobin in red blood cells to indicate abnormalities of thalassemia. (Thalassemia) or not. This disease is a disease caused by genetic inheritance. If both parents are carriers of this disease, it can affect the health of the child.
Check the completeness of blood cells
Check for immunity and hepatitis B virus. If found to be infected Show that you are a carrier of the disease. which can be contacted through sexual relations and blood relations If there is no proper protection, it may cause the fetus to become infected.
Test for rubella immunity If there is no immunity Vaccination and birth control should be kept for at least 3 months because if infected during pregnancy it may cause birth defects or miscarriage.
Check for the AIDS virus If infection is found, sexual contact can be prevented by using condoms. and birth control to prevent transmission to children
Check for syphilis If there is an infection on either side If there is treatment before marriage, it can be completely cured and there will be no contact with the other party. Most are diagnosed through a blood test. More than the symptoms that appear
Check for other infections according to risk, such as herpes, check for cat parasites, etc.

Additional examinations in women

Cervical cancer screening (HPV+Thin Prep)
Lower abdominal ultrasound examination To evaluate the uterus and ovaries (TVS – Transvaginal Ultrasound)
Blood test to measure hormone levels Ovarian Ability AMH – Anti-Mullerian Hormone
Examine the uterus as the doctor deems appropriate.
Additional examinations in men
Check the completeness of sperm (Semen Analysis)
Testosterone test (Testosterone)
Check PSA values to analyze prostate cancer (Prostate cancer)
Adrenal hormone test (DHEA-S)

Gene testing before pregnancy

In addition to diseases that can be prevented if detected in advance. There are also some diseases that are caused by abnormalities in recessive genes from the father or mother that are passed on to the offspring.
Testing for genetic diseases before pregnancy It is a test of readiness of father and mother. and screening for genetically inherited disease carriers that has the potential to cause disability and disability in various organs of the child and is information for planning to have children by genetic diseases hidden in parents who are carriers which is found in approximately 3 – 5% of people in general
In the case of a married couple who is a carrier of a genetic disease Genetic testing before pregnancy reduces the risk of various diseases. that may happen to the child By screening embryos with complete genes The healthy embryo is then placed back into the uterus. The resulting offspring will be free of genetic diseases. It also helps couples who are experiencing infertility problems. There is also a higher chance of pregnancy.

Coping with infertility

In cases where pre-pregnancy health examination reveals infertility The doctor will consider and ask about the needs of the couple. To be referred to a specialized center for infertility treatment Currently, there is Assisted Reproductive Technology: read information about the Infertility Center, click
Treatment of infertility

Infertility treatment starts from the basics to Advanced technology treatment By an obstetrician-gynecologist specializing in infertility. It consists of the following steps:

Basic diagnosis and treatment

Examination of the pelvic organs with transvaginal ultrasound.
X-ray injection to look at the fallopian tubes
Semen analysis
Sperm selection
Analysis of hormone levels in the body
Using assisted reproductive technology such as IVF, ET, ICSI, GIFT (gift making)
Surgery on the testicular tissue to extract sperm (Sperm Retrieval): TESE in cases where the male partner is infertile, meaning no sperm comes out in the semen.
Female sterility surgery (fallopian tube surgery)

Examination and treatment with advanced technology

IVM or In Vitro Maturation, the first modern technology in Thailand. It is the treatment that is closest to nature and the safest. There is no need to be hurt or risk complications from hormone injections.
Calcium Ionophore helps to increase fertilization and increase the chance of pregnancy.
Embryo chromosome examination (Preimplantation Genetic Screening: PGS) is an innovation for screening for chromosomal abnormalities before implantation. By examining the number of chromosomes and abnormalities in embryonic cells, such as short pairs of chromosomes. which increases the risk of children developing Down syndrome
Diagnosis of abnormalities in the embryo at the genetic level before implantation. (Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis: PGD) when diagnosing genetic disorders Select healthy embryos that do not have genetic diseases and place them back into the uterus. to stop genetic diseases
Increase the chance of pregnancy and reduce miscarriage with the Uterine Receptivity Test,
checking the readiness of the uterine lining before transferring the embryo into the uterine cavity. and analyzed 238 genes related to endometrial readiness for implantation, along with examining the mitochondria. Mitochondrion, the source of energy for cells in the embryo. That increases the chance of pregnancy by up to 50%.

Prevent the risk of premature birth in older pregnant women

In addition to genetic diseases Mothers who become pregnant when they are over 35 years of age increase their risk of complications. And it affects the growth of the fetus more than in young mothers. This also includes an increased rate of premature birth.

premature birth It is the most common cause of newborn death. Short-term and long-term complications The fetus is at risk for respiratory diseases. brain hemorrhage Intestinal problems, blindness, and delayed development. Preterm birth is a baby born before 37 weeks. Risk factors associated with premature birth include a history of premature birth in a previous pregnancy. Short cervix twin pregnancy Medical complications such as high blood pressure, SLE, and diabetes, which can be detected during a health checkup to prepare before having children.

Prevent premature birth with the 3 P CONCEPT principle.

Prediction: Predict the risk of premature birth. From taking a detailed history including other screening tests
Prevention Prevention if a risk is detected Doctors can consider methods of prevention with safe and modern technology.
Health Promotion treatment in cases where the first two methods are not effective. Doctors will treat with various methods. This includes allowing the baby to be born and entering effective care for premature infants in a high standard NICU. Including health examination and evaluating further growth

Health check before pregnancy Suitable for general married couples Spouses who have a genetic disease or are carriers of the disease Including couples who have infertility. And most importantly, parents who want to have children who are as healthy and perfect as possible.
Basic pre-pregnancy health check and pre-pregnancy genetic test Parents do not need to abstain from food or drink. After knowing the results, they can seek advice from a gynecologist. To prevent genetic diseases Consult about infertility problems Including preventing premature birth. With complete modern innovation For maximum comfort and efficiency