Introduction
Pregnancy is a time of immense hope and significant anxiety, and there comes the necessity of prenatal Tests. Prenatal Testing Before Pregnancy is crucial as it encompasses a wide range of diagnostic and screening procedures to ensure the well-being of the mother and the fetus. Prepregnancy Tests involve several important tests to assess the genetic conditions, physical abnormalities, and the overall health of the developing baby. This blog provides all the necessary details about the essential prenatal tests and their purposes, which are conducted to identify risks or abnormalities before birth.
What are the Prenatal Tests before Pregnancy?
Prenatal Testing Before Pregnancy is a medical test to assess a woman’s health condition for pregnancy and also to detect potential risks before pregnancy. The condition of the fetus is analysed by several blood tests and urine tests. Infection screening and genetic testing are included. This test is essential to determine whether you are prepared to conceive or not.
Benefits of Prenatal Testing Before Pregnancy
There are numerous benefits of Prenatal Testing Before Pregnancy, and they are as follows:
- Understanding your carrier status
Early detection of risk factors is beneficial for making decisions regarding the various processes of getting pregnant.
- Early detection of potential risk
By going through several pre-pregnancy tests, it is essential to early detection of potential risk factors early. If the parents both are carriers of the same genetic condition, the tests help to take initiatives to mitigate the risk of a genetic disorder.
Essential Prenatal Diagnosis Test before Pregnancy
Several Pregnancy tests are necessary to track your health before conceiving. Your health care professional may suggest the following prenatal tests:
1. Health Checkup
There are no particular prenatal tests listed. Your health care provider will recommend you necessary tests after assessing your age, weight, your health information, and other factors. The doctor may suggest a blood test, a blood pressure check, a pelvic test, and other screenings. To evaluate fertility, it is essential to check the reproductive health of the males also. Medical history and previous pregnancy can be assessed by the relevant Health Checkup.
2. STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) Test
STI Test is one of the most important tests before pregnancy, as it helps to detect infections transmitted through sexual relations. Untreated STIs can cause premature birth, disease, low birth weight of newborn babies, and fetal death.
Several infections, such as Gonorrhea, Syphilis, and Chlamydia, need to be detected and treated during the first prenatal visit. Chlamydia and Gonorrhea lead to premature birth, lung infection, and other complications.
3. Check Vaccination
One of the major factors of a healthy pregnancy is to update the necessary vaccinations, such as MMR(mumps, measles, and rubella). Rubella is very harmful during pregnancy as it causes birth defects and miscarriages. To avoid such complications, you must confirm that your vaccinations are current.
4. Genetic Test before pregnancy?
Fetal Genetic Screening
Fetal Genetic screening involves several methods to assess the genetic condition of a growing fetus. It is also beneficial to detect any potential risks during pregnancy.
Importance of Genetic Testing
Fetal Genetic tests are essential for ensuring the well-being of the growing fetus. The importance of genetic tests has been discussed in the following points:
- Genetic screening is used to detect any potential genetic disorder, such as Down syndrome and chromosomal disabilities.
- This test also checks birth defects such as Spina bifida or some other structural abnormalities.
- Early detection of potential risk helps to allow medical intervention for the sake of the baby’s health.
- To gather information about the health of the fetus and which also helps to make important decisions during pregnancy.
Which Genetic Tests may be recommended?
Some essential prenatal genetic screening is recommended during your pregnancy to screen for genetic disorders. Those are discussed here.
- NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing)
This test is prescribed to detect chromosomal abnormalities in fetuses such as Edward syndrome, Down syndrome, or Patau syndrome.
A blood test to assess cell-free fetal DNA that circulates in the mother’s bloodstream.
- Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)
Chorionic Villus Sampling is a diagnostic test used to detect genetic disorders, such as cystic fibrosis, or Chromosomal abnormalities in a developing fetus.
In this test, a tissue is taken from the placenta and examined in a lab. The placenta is a structure in the uterus that provides blood and nutrition from the mother to the fetus.
Two procedures are followed in this test:
- Transcervical: A tube is put through the cervix to take a tissue sample.
- Transabdominal: A needle is put through the belly and uterus into the placenta to take a sample of tissue.
- Amniocentesis
It is necessary to diagnose genetic disorders like Cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, and chromosomal abnormalities. This test also assesses fetal maturity and checks for any infection. This test is performed during 15-20 weeks of pregnancy.
Aminotic fluid is extracted to assess fetal cells.
Read More: Amniocentesis Test : Purpose, Procedure, and Risk Factors
What test do doctors use to confirm pregnancy?
Blood and Urine test is recommended to confirm pregnancy as they detect the presence of hCG, a hormone produced by the placenta after a fertilised egg attaches to the uterine lining.
What are the three scans in pregnancy?
The three most recommended scans during pregnancy are essential to assess the health condition of the baby as well as the mother. It also helps to monitor and analyze the development of the fetus.
- Dating Scan
This test helps to confirm the pregnancy and checks for the heartbeat. It also ensures the development of the embryo. This test is done during 6-14 weeks.
- Nuchal Translucency (NT)Scan
This scan measures the fluid from the back of the baby’s neck, the Nuchal Translucency. This assesses the potential risk of chromosomal abnormalities.
This test is done between 11-14 weeks.
- Anomaly Scan (Morphology Scan)
In this scan, the baby’s anatomy is examined, and limbs as well as organs are also checked. It is essential to detect structural abnormalities in a baby’s organs. This scan is recommended during 18-22 weeks.
Conclusion
Prenatal testing before pregnancy, also known as pre-pregnancy tests, offers valuable insights into reproductive health. These tests are necessary not only for detecting inherited diseases but also for providing information that helps in making important decisions. Several blood tests, urine tests, and genetic tests are essential to assess the health of the mother and the potential baby, as well as to detect possible risk factors early. Consulting a healthcare professional is crucial to receive recommendations for the necessary tests based on your health condition. STI testing and genetic screening are particularly useful in ensuring a smooth and healthy pregnancy.
If you are looking for a trusted maternal health clinic, then Fetal Imaging Institute, one of the renowned Prenatal diagnostic centers in Kolkata, we ensure a healthy pregnancy through several advanced prenatal tests and standard reports. We offer complete health care services from pre-pregnancy tests to care after birth. Our team of experienced as well as dedicated team of healthcare professionals analyzes the condition of your fetus through FTS screenings, genetic services, and other gynecological tests. Besides offering standard medical and technical assistance, we facilitate you with counselling for your mental well-being.
Contact us to make the next step towards your family planning.