Planning a pregnancy can be exciting as well as overwhelming. The emotions are high, there’s a lot to discuss with your partner, and of course, you must know for sure that you are ready. However, amid all the chaos, the most important thing is to ensure that everything about your health is in order. Your wellness, both physical and mental, is of utmost importance. It is what determines whether or not you will have a smooth pregnancy or if you will have complications. This is when a preconception checkup can make a big difference. Not only can it give you an overview of your health status, but it can also help you mitigate risks that may arise during your screening.
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What Is A Preconception Check-Up?
A preconception checkup involves a set of medical examinations that help couples plan better for pregnancy.
Dr Shiva Murarka, Senior Scientist-Reproductive Genomics, Neuberg Centre for Genomic Medicine, Ahmedabad, describes preconception checkups as a method to ensure that a woman is in optimal health before conceiving, minimising risks for both the mother and the baby. She shares that the screenings can help identify and manage health conditions or lifestyle factors that could affect fertility, pregnancy, or the baby’s development.
Additionally, these checkups also allow women to receive personalised guidance on nutrition, vaccinations, and overall reproductive health.
Why Is A Preconception Checkup Necessary?
Speaking with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Hina Shaikh, Consultant- Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, explains how preconception checkups are necessary for women to ensure that she is healthy before pregnancy.
“Conditions that can be managed before conceiving are hormonal imbalance by modification of lifestyle and exercise, control of sugar levels of pre-diabetic, reduction of weight if obesity is present, and avoiding smoking, alcohol, or any addiction before pregnancy—detoxification of the body. Improving fertility by healthy habits and reducing stress levels,” she lists.
She also notes that these medical examinations can also improve pregnancy outcomes by treating the underlying medical conditions like diabetes, thyroid, blood pressure, obesity, and anaemia, if diagnosed. Also, it can help improve the foetal outcome by monitoring every month.
Studies have also recognised the role of preconception care in recent years, particularly in preventing neonatal and birth disorders. A 2023 study published in the journal Cureus brings to notice research that suggests that "individuals' health and lifestyle choices before conception can significantly influence the health outcomes of their offspring." Currently, the worldwide prevalence of neonatal and birth disorders is significant, with 20.4 lakh babies affected annually.
Also Read: Expert Shares Importance Of Taking Folic Acid If You Are Trying To Conceive
Key Health Checkups To Take Before Planning Pregnancy
A preconception checkup typically includes:
- A comprehensive medical history review (personal and family health conditions)
- Physical examination and weight/BMI assessment
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Serum thyroid profile
- Serum prolactin
- Serum Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
- Serum luteinizing hormone (LH)
- Serum Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH)
- Fasting insulin
- Haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C)
- Lipid profile
- Serum creatinine
- Blood tests for anaemia, infections (e.g., rubella, HIV, hepatitis), and blood type
- Vaccination status check (e.g., rubella, varicella)
- Reproductive health evaluation (e.g., pelvic exam, Pap smear)
- Lifestyle assessments, including diet, exercise, and substance use
Should Both Partners Undergo Preconception Checkup?
Dr Shaikh advises both partners to undergo preconception screening to know the cause of infertility (if present) or any medical condition (if present) that needs to be treated.
It is best to take the preconception checkup at least three months before your planned pregnancy.
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your professional if you are dealing with any health issues to avoid complications.]