Why Is Preconception Checkup Done?

What is a preconception checkup? It is a general investigation done on your health conditions in order to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy. A preconception checkup eliminates the need for consuming too many medicines during pregnancy. This ensures good health for you and the baby.

Getting pregnant without any prior checkup or investigation can lead to some complications in your baby. There are also chances that some medical issues that you have, might get transmitted to your baby as well.

As the popular saying goes, “Prevention is better than cure”, a preconception checkup is a preventive action taken for giving your baby a healthy start, rather than taking a remedial action at a later stage.

Health Risk Of Pregnancy After Fourty

If you know what is a preconception checkup and its need, you can for sure, have a happy and healthy pregnancy.

Some people get worried as to what happens at a preconception checkup. There is nothing to worry about this. It is all about understanding your current health status, reviewing your medical history, understanding about medical allergies if any, and knowing the gynecological and obstetric history. Your vaccination history also matters a lot during preconception checkup.

This article helps you understand what is a preconception checkup and what happens at a preconception checkup.

Physical Examination
This is a standard examination from head-to-toe including your height, weight, age, blood pressure. This investigation also includes checking your genital area for any infections. Your cervix, ovaries and uterus are examined for any masses or other problems.

Urine Tests
This is mainly done to check if you have diabetes or at the risk of getting this disease. Also any urinary tract infection can be identified in this test.

Blood Tests
The main reason for a blood test is to check the hemoglobin count. If you are already iron-deficient, pregnancy will make you more anaemic, this is one important answer to the question, what is a preconception checkup needed for. This test also helps in identifying any symptoms of Hepatitis B, HIV, chickenpox or rubella.

Understanding your Lifestyle
Your doctor will review your diet and check if you are over-weight or under-weight and advise you a proper diet accordingly to attain the proper weight necessary for pregnancy. She will advise you to avoid smoking or alcohol if you are addicted to it.

You will be recommended to eat well and exercise regularly. You should strictly follow the instructions of your practitioner and avoid all foods that you have been asked to. You will be asked to take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily and if needed, also a multivitamin tablet.

If your blood test shows low hemoglobin content, you will be prescribed iron tablets as well. Your previous medical records will also be reviewed to understand if you are allergic to certain medications.

Vaccination History
Your vaccination history will be reviewed to ensure you are completely vaccinated, in order to avoid any contaminating diseases during pregnancy.

Gynecological History
This history helps in identifying your sexual patterns and your periods-cycles. If you do not have the habit of maintaining your menstrual calendar, you will be asked to do so now.

Obstetric History
Your doctor would want to know of your previous pregnancies, ectopic pregnancies and abortions, if any.