The beginning of building a family, besides love, bonding, and mutual respect, is also supported by good health, which is another factor that ensures happiness within the family is uninterrupted and allows family life to proceed smoothly. Health check-ups are therefore important in married life, including pre-marital health check-ups and pre-pregnancy health check-ups, to prepare and assist in family planning effectively.
Pre-marital Health Check-ups and Pre-pregnancy Health Check-ups
Pre-marital health check-ups are the first step to start and prepare for family planning. This includes general health examinations, screening for sexually transmitted infections, and screening for genetic abnormalities that may affect having children or be passed on to offspring. This is an important aid in planning married life and future childbearing. The examinations are divided as follows:
Blood Tests (for both males and females)
Blood tests can include the following items:
Blood Group Test (ABO) to determine the correct blood group, which is important information in case of emergencies requiring blood transfusion.
Blood Type Test (Rh Factor) divided into two types: Rh positive and Rh negative. If the mother has Rh negative blood and the father has Rh positive blood, it may cause problems during pregnancy. Generally, the first pregnancy does not cause issues, but the mother’s body may develop antibodies against the Rh positive blood cells of the fetus. In subsequent pregnancies, if the fetus is also Rh positive, these antibodies may attack the fetus’s red blood cells, leading to severe complications such as miscarriage or fetal death.
Thalassemia Screening Thalassemia is a disorder of hemoglobin in red blood cells. If both parents are carriers, this genetic disease can be passed on to their children. The child may be born with thalassemia with symptoms ranging from none to severe, requiring ongoing care and treatment.
Immunity and Hepatitis B Virus Screening This disease can be transmitted sexually and affect the fetus. If the prospective mother lacks immunity, vaccination against hepatitis B is recommended before pregnancy.
Rubella Immunity Screening Rubella can be transmitted in utero through the placenta, during delivery through maternal secretions, and via breast milk. If no immunity is detected, vaccination is advised because infection during pregnancy can cause fetal disabilities.
HIV Screening If either partner tests positive, sexual transmission must be prevented, and antiretroviral treatment should be started to prevent opportunistic infections. Couples planning to have children should consult a doctor before pregnancy.
Syphilis Screening Syphilis can be transmitted to the fetus through the placenta and during delivery, potentially causing abnormalities such as hearing loss, abnormal tooth structure, or nasal deformities. If detected, treatment is necessary to prevent congenital disabilities.
Internal Examination (for females)
Internal examinations are also performed to check if the uterus and ovaries are normal, including pelvic and vaginal examinations and lower abdominal ultrasound to detect uterine or ovarian tumors or ovarian cysts, as these conditions directly affect pregnancy and delivery.
Benefits of Pre-marital Health Check-ups
Prevent disease transmission to your loved ones because good health is the foundation of a stable and strong married life.
Assess readiness before pregnancy by evaluating the risk of complications that may occur during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia from high blood pressure.
Help plan for having children with confidence in the health of both you and your future baby Health check-ups allow planning pregnancy according to the physical condition of both partners, including planning vaccinations and additional health care.
Assess the risk of genetic diseases helping couples understand the chances of their child being affected by thalassemia.
Build confidence and readiness Pre-marital health check-ups help couples feel confident about their own and their partner’s health, enabling effective life planning and reducing future health concerns.
Receive knowledge and advice from experts Couples will receive information and advice from obstetricians and gynecologists on health care, disease prevention, and proper preparation for pregnancy.
Reduce the risk of miscarriage and complications Detecting health problems that may affect pregnancy can help reduce the risk of congenital disabilities, miscarriage, or other complications.
Besides important pre-pregnancy health check-ups, lifestyle practices such as regular exercise, eating a balanced diet with all five food groups, avoiding alcohol, and quitting smoking are also crucial to strengthen the health of prospective parents in preparation for having children. Consult about pre-pregnancy health check-ups to plan for having children at Phyathai Nawamin Hospital to build a strong, healthy, and stable family.
