Why is pre-marriage and pre-conception checkup important?

Meta Title: What are the tests of pre-marriage and pre-conception checkup?
Meta Description: Get yourself ready! Let’s find out why you should attend pre-marriage and pre-conception checkup? What does it include? What result is considered normal? We have collected all information for you in this article. Please check it out now!

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Preparing for marriage and having children is not just about the finance. Health is something that couples and parents-to-be should pay attention to. Especially health checks before marriage and pregnancy.

As you know, some sexually transmitted diseases or genetic diseases can be passed on to partners and children. Therefore, a health check before marriage and before pregnancy is very important. Because it will help couples know each other’s health conditions. Including helping to see hidden diseases in the body which will give an opportunity to treat or prevent them in a timely manner.

Many couples may be wondering about getting pre-marriage and pre-conception checkup. What diseases can be transmitted to loved ones and children? If you are interested in a health check, what do you need to check? So, what kind of test results are considered abnormal?

HDmall.co.th together with Prime Fertility Center have collected information you should know about pre-marriage and pre-conception checkup for everyone to understand together. This is to guarantee that everyone will understand the importance after reading and get a health check before marriage and pregnancy!

What is pre-marriage and pre-conception checkup? Why is it important?

It is a screening test to assess health and readiness for married life including having children together in the future.

This is because some genetics and diseases can be passed on to couples as well as children. Health examination is therefore important. Because it can reveal if our physical health is good or if there is any hidden disease or not.

Therefore, couples who undergo health checks before marriage and pregnancy will be able to reduce the risk of developing various health problems that may occur in the future. Moreover, it also helps assess the risk of infertility and complications during pregnancy.

What is it different between pre-marriage and pre-conception checkup?

Many people may be confused about a health check before marriage and a health check before having children. What are the differences? These two types of health examinations have different objectives as follows:

Pre-marriage health check often emphasizes physical assessment, functions of various body systems, blood tests, and general disease detection, especially sexually transmitted diseases. This health check is to prevent the transmission to the partner.

The main objective of pre-conception checkup is to assess physical readiness and health before pregnancy. There is also an examination for diseases that may occur during pregnancy. Check for disease carriers, sperm quality and quantity through semen analysis, including pelvic scan and ultrasound to evaluate uterine and ovarian function. 

What are the diseases that can be transmitted to your partner and child?

• Syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that results from contact with secretions that lead to bacterial infection. If leave it untreated, it will cause development to a serious stage and cause death.

Syphilis can also be transmitted to the child through the bloodstream during pregnancy or during birth. The effects on the baby in the womb are causing the baby to develop abnormally, be disabled, and be born prematurely. And the most serious situation is that the baby dies in the womb or dies at birth.

• Hepatitis B virus

It is severe inflammation in the liver. This disease can be contracted through sexual intercourse and passed on to the baby during birth. If a baby is exposed to the hepatitis B virus, they are 200 times more likely to develop liver cancer than the general population.

• HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

HIV infection can occur to a partner through sexual intercourse and be passed on to the baby through the bloodstream during pregnancy. If you don’t hurry to prevent or treat it, it will cause HIV infection in your baby and complications.

• German Measles

It is a disease caused by the Rubella virus which can be transmitted through breathing or contact with respiratory secretions of an infected person. Causes symptoms of fever, rash, itchy red eyes, joint pain, and risks complications during pregnancy and baby growth, such as infection, disability, and death after birth.

• Thalassemia

It is a genetic disease that can be passed on to children. Especially the father and mother who both have thalassemia. The patient will have severe anemia, jaundice, fatigue, enlarged body and spleen. In very severe cases, the baby will die while in the womb.

What are the tests of pre-marriage checkup?

• Complete blood count: It is a test that evaluates the general health of the body. By checking the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets to find disease.
• Blood group Rh: Blood group testing using the RH system is very important. Because it can be used to assess compatibility between couples. Especially couples who plan to have children. Rh incompatibility can cause complications during pregnancy.
• ABO blood group Test: Blood type testing is important in cases where blood transfusions are necessary in emergencies or medical treatment.
• Thalassemia is a genetic disorder that affects hemoglobin production. If you are found a thalassemia carrier, there are still ways to prevent the transmission to future generations.
• HIV: HIV infection can be transmitted to a partner through sexual intercourse and can also be passed on to the baby through the bloodstream during pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. If not treated or prevented, HIV infection may occur in infants.
• Hepatitis B and C: Testing for hepatitis B and C is important because they are liver infections that can be transmitted sexually. Early detection allows timely management and prevention of transmission.
• Syphilis: It is a sexually transmitted disease that can have serious consequences if left untreated. This disease can cause complications during pregnancy. Including having an effect on future pregnancies.
• Immunity to hepatitis B: It is a medical procedure used to determine if a person is immune to hepatitis B. Immunity to this virus can occur after being vaccinated or infected with hepatitis B and the body produces antibodies to fight the virus.

What results are considered normal?

• CBC test: Men have a hemoglobin value between 13.5 and 17.5 grams per deciliter and women have hemoglobin values ​​between 12.0 and 16.00 grams per deciliter
• Negative antigen and antibody of hepatitis B virus, this shows no active viral infection.
• Negative antibody HCV and HCV RN means no hepatitis C infection.
• Negative syphilis means no syphilis infection.
• Positive immunity to hepatitis B virus means the immunity occurs due to the infection or vaccination.
• Negative HIV means no HIV infection.

What results are considered abnormal?

• CBC test: Men have a hemoglobin value lower than 13 grams per deciliter and women have hemoglobin values ​​lower than 12.0 grams per deciliter. This means thalassemia or anemia.
• Positive antigen and antibody of hepatitis B virus mean recent or previous infection.
• Positive antibody HCV and HCV RN means hepatitis C infection.
• Positive syphilis means syphilis infection.
• Negative immunity to hepatitis B virus means no immunity. So, vaccination is recommended.
• Positive HIV means HIV infection.

What are the tests of pre-conception checkup?

Husband

• General health checks to evaluate the physical readiness before pregnancy, such as weighing the body, measuring blood pressure, measuring height, measuring the heart rate, etc.
• Blood tests, e.g., CBC, blood group Rh, ABO, or infectious diseases like hepatitis B, C, syphilis, HIV.
• Semen analysis: The test is to evaluate sperm quality, sperm count, motility, and morphology.

Wife

• General health checks, e.g., bodyweight, height, pulse. Blood sugar testing is also important. In case wife has hypertension or diabetes, the condition can affect mother and baby during pregnancy.
• Blood tests, e.g., blood group Rh, ABO, or infectious diseases like hepatitis B, C, syphilis, HIV in order to reduce the risk of disease transmission to the fetus.
• German Measles: This is because it is a virus that can cause serious consequences if infected during pregnancy. The baby has a chance of abnormal growth to the point of disability or death.
• Thyroid function: This is because the mother is at risk of having hyperthyroidism which leads to pre-eclampsia, premature birth, and miscarriage.
• Ultrasound scan to ensure the normal function of uterus and ovaries before getting pregnant.

What results are considered normal?

• Sperm count is in a normal range: about 15-200 million per ml
• Negative results of blood test, antigen and antibody through the infectious test.
• CBC test: Men have a hemoglobin value between 13.5 and 17.5 grams per deciliter and women have hemoglobin values ​​between 12.0 and 16.00 grams per deciliter
• Positive immunity to hepatitis B virus means the immunity occurs due to the infection or vaccination.
• Thyroid function is in the normal range between 0.5-5.0 mU/L.
• The pleasant uterine ultrasound results with the correct shape and size. The ovaries are normal with no signs of cysts, tumors, or other abnormalities.

What results are considered abnormal?

• Low sperm count, poor motility. Moreover, abnormal sperm morphology may cause difficulty in fertilization.
• CBC test: Men have a hemoglobin value lower than 13.5 grams per deciliter and women have hemoglobin values ​​lower than 12.0 grams per deciliter. This means thalassemia or anemia.
• Negative results of blood test, antigen and antibody through the infectious test.
• Negative immunity to hepatitis B virus means no immunity. So, vaccination is recommended.
• Thyroid function value is high or lower than 0.5-5.0 mU/L.
• Uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, or PCOS are found through the ultrasound.

Preparation before checkup

• No fasting
• Male should refrain from ejaculation at least 2-7 days before semen analysis

Where should you get pre-marriage and pre-conception checkup?

For those who want to get a health check before marriage and before having children, it is recommended to choose a location that meets standards. Experienced doctors and nurses, use high quality tools, including individual counseling. Because it directly affects couples and children in the future.

Prime Fertility Center is another option that answers the needs of those who want to check their health before marriage and before having children. Our clinic is a specialized clinic providing infertility treatment that is trusted by customers all over the country. Choose the most modern technology for treating infertility.

Passed quality certification according to international standards such as JCI (Joint Commission International) of the United States. And has passed ISO 15189 and ISO 15190 certification, which are international standards for certifying the competence and safety of medical laboratories.

We also have a team of experts, embryologist, and a team with experience in providing complete care and counseling. You can be confident that the treatment will meet your needs and see results as expected.

If you are interested in getting a health check before marriage and pregnancy, you can contact to make an appointment through the following channels.

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Reference:

• Medpark Hospital, Pre wedding checkup (https://www.medparkhospital.com/en-US/lifestyles/prewedding-checkup), 13 February 2024
• Parent, 6 Pre-Pregnancy Tests and Health Checks to Consider Before Conceiving (https://www.parents.com/getting-pregnant/pre-pregnancy-health/general/health-checks-to-have-before-becoming-parents/), 13 February 2024
• HD Mall, ใครบ้างที่ควรจะต้องตรวจโครโมโซมของตัวอ่อน(https://hdmall.co.th/c/detail-of-premarital-screening-program), 13 กุมภาพันธ์ 2567
• Bangkok Hospital, ตรวจก่อนแต่งพร้อมให้จริงก่อนมีลูก (https://www.bangkokhospital.com/content/check-up-before-marriage), 13 กุมภาพันธ์ 2567

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