In addition, when planning pregnancy, you will have to pass a whole complex of tests, both of which should be done by both spouses. Of course, the list of necessary research for a future father is shorter than for a future mother, but a man should not be frivolous about this issue, because both parents are responsible for the health of the baby. In this article, we will tell you which tests should be taken when planning a pregnancy in order to have a complete picture and in case of finding deviations take measures.
List of tests to be taken when planning pregnancy for women and men
The period of preparation for conceiving and bearing a child usually takes from 90 to 180 days. Meanwhile, if one or two spouses have chronic diseases, this period may be slightly increased. In the general case, the list of tests for mothers when planning pregnancy is as follows:
- Smear on the microflora of the vagina;
- A swab from the cervical canal that can detect a precancerous condition;
- blood test for the identification of the group and Rh factor;
- a complex of studies on hidden infections - chlamydia, ureaplasmosis and so on;
- by appointment of a doctor - ultrasound;
- coagulogram for assessment of coagulation rates;
- general urine analysis;
- general and biochemical blood tests;
- colposcopy. If a woman has previously been diagnosed with erosion, or if there are other grounds for checking the condition of the vagina and cervix, this study is mandatory;
- various genetic studies to identify the likelihood of a baby with Down's syndrome and other severe ailments. These tests are not prescribed to everyone, but they must be performed if a married couple has at least one sick child if the woman had previously had a dead baby, and if the mother, father or both parents are older than 40;
- tests for HPV, syphilis, gonorrhea, HIV infection and parenteral hepatitis, as well as TORCH infections - toxoplasmosis, herpes, rubella and cytomegalovirus. In all cases, it is necessary to be examined for both the presence of the virus itself in the blood, and antibodies to these diseases;
- tests for hormones - testosterone, progesterone, prolactin, thyroxine, thyroid-stimulating hormone, triiodothyronine and others. Today, such studies are prescribed for absolutely all women who want to prepare for the period of pregnancy. It is especially important to know the content of hormones in the blood of a future mother over 35 if she has irregular and painful periods, and if she can not get pregnant herself for a long period of time.
What tests do you need to give to a man when planning a pregnancy?
The future father should also undergo some tests, namely:
- a full range of studies on STI and TARC;
biochemical research; - general urine analysis;
- genetic research;
- spermogram;
- a general blood test with the determination of the group and Rh factor.
In addition, if conception does not naturally occur within a year, you may be asked to submit a set of assays for compatibility. Such studies are quite expensive, so they are made only as a last resort.