Before embarking on perhaps one of the most exciting periods of your life, one of the most crucial steps for a healthy pregnancy and the best start for your baby is comprehensive preconception screening and preparation. This process ensures you are ready for this significant change not only physically but also emotionally and mentally. In this guide, prepared for future mothers-to-be, we will delve into which tests should be performed during the preconception screening process and why these tests are so critical. As Ankara IVF Center, with our expert team, we are proud to offer all the necessary support for every aspiring mother to embark on a healthy pregnancy. These pregnancy preparation tests form the foundation for protecting both your and your baby's health by identifying potential risks and taking necessary precautions.
Blood Tests and Screenings
One of the most fundamental and comprehensive steps in the preconception screening process involves detailed blood tests and screenings that reveal the expectant mother's general health status. These tests aim to identify conditions that could affect pregnancy or pose risks during gestation. First, a complete blood count (hemogram) assesses for anemia. Anemia can lead to symptoms like fatigue and weakness during pregnancy and, if left untreated, can negatively impact the baby's development. Blood group and Rh factor determination are also highly important; taking necessary precautions, especially in cases of Rh incompatibility, can be vital for the baby's health.
Infection screenings are an indispensable part of preconception control. Infections such as Rubella, Hepatitis B and C, HIV, and Syphilis can be transmitted to the baby during pregnancy and lead to serious health problems. Therefore, your immunity status or carrier status against these infections must be checked. If necessary, vaccination or treatment planning can be done. Thyroid function tests (TSH, free T3, free T4) are also very important. An underactive or overactive thyroid gland can directly affect the onset and course of pregnancy and the baby's brain development. Blood sugar measurement is performed to determine the risk of pre-diabetes or diabetes, as uncontrolled diabetes is a risk factor for both mother and baby.
Vitamin and mineral levels, particularly vitamin D and iron stores, are checked. Deficiencies in these vitamins and minerals can lead to various complications during pregnancy. For example, vitamin D deficiency can impact bone health and the immune system. In some cases, genetic screenings may also be recommended, especially if there's a family history of genetic diseases or if problems occurred in previous pregnancies. Such comprehensive genetic evaluations can help in future pregnancy planning by identifying potential risks. For instance, advanced techniques like Genetic Diagnosis (PGT) can help assess the genetic health of the embryo, increasing the chance of a healthy pregnancy.
Gynecological Evaluation
In addition to general blood tests, a detailed gynecological evaluation holds significant importance during the preconception screening process. This evaluation aims to comprehensively examine the expectant mother's reproductive health and identify any conditions that could impede pregnancy or negatively affect its course. A gynecological evaluation includes a physical examination, ultrasonography, and other tests deemed necessary.
During the physical examination, a pelvic examination is performed in addition to assessing your general health status. This examination helps evaluate the structure and health of the uterus, ovaries, and other reproductive organs. A Pap smear test is routinely performed for cervical cancer screening, and having this test before pregnancy ensures that potential abnormalities can be detected and treated pre-pregnancy. If your Pap smear test hasn't been done for a long time or if the results are suspicious, it is recommended to have this test updated before conception.
Vaginal ultrasonography provides a detailed view of the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, helping to detect structural abnormalities such as fibroids, cysts, polyps, or conditions like endometriosis. Such conditions can make conception difficult or lead to complications during pregnancy. For example, large fibroids can cause pain or preterm labor during pregnancy. Furthermore, the thickness and structure of the uterine lining (endometrium) are examined to assess its suitability for pregnancy. In necessary cases, minimally invasive surgical methods like Laparoscopy and Hysteroscopy may also be considered for a more detailed evaluation of the uterine cavity or fallopian tubes. These methods can be effective in diagnosing and treating issues such as intrauterine adhesions, polyps, or blocked tubes.
Evaluating the current status of expectant mothers with chronic conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, thyroid diseases, autoimmune diseases) and establishing appropriate preconception treatment plans is also a crucial part of this gynecological evaluation. Controlling these diseases is critically important for both maternal and fetal health. All these evaluations lay a solid foundation for a healthy pregnancy and help minimize potential risks. If pregnancy is not achieved naturally, assisted reproductive techniques such as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) may be considered as an option in light of these detailed evaluations.
Vaccination Status
An important component of preconception screening is reviewing the expectant mother's vaccination status. Certain infections can pose serious risks to both the mother and the baby during pregnancy. Therefore, ensuring that necessary vaccinations have been administered or checking immunity status before pregnancy is of great importance. This is a critical area evaluated as part of pregnancy preparation tests.
The Rubella (German measles) vaccine, in particular, should be a priority for every woman planning a pregnancy. Rubella infection, if contracted in the early months of pregnancy, can lead to serious birth defects in the baby (such as heart problems, deafness, blindness). If you are not immune to Rubella, it is recommended to get vaccinated at least one month before pregnancy and avoid conception for one month after vaccination. Similarly, the Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine is also important. Chickenpox infection can also be transmitted to the baby during pregnancy and cause congenital anomalies. If you have not had chickenpox and have not been vaccinated, it is advisable to get vaccinated before pregnancy and avoid conception for a certain period after vaccination.
The Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine is also recommended before pregnancy or during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Pertussis (whooping cough), in particular, is a severe respiratory infection that can be fatal for newborns. Vaccinating the mother during pregnancy ensures that protective antibodies are passed to the baby in the first months after birth, protecting the baby against pertussis. The flu vaccine is also recommended during every pregnancy. Since pregnancy can weaken the immune system, influenza infection can be more severe in pregnant women and lead to serious complications. Therefore, getting vaccinated during flu season, either before or during pregnancy, is important for the health of both the mother and the baby.
When evaluating vaccination status, it is important to review your past vaccination records and, if necessary, check your immunity levels with blood tests. You should decide with your doctor which vaccines are appropriate for you and when they should be administered. This proactive approach will help you experience a safer and healthier pregnancy by minimizing the risks of infections you might encounter during pregnancy. As Ankara IVF Center, we are here to guide you through all these processes.
Folic Acid and Vitamins
One of the most fundamental and often first recommended steps in the preconception preparation process is to start folic acid supplementation. Folic acid is an important vitamin belonging to the B vitamin group and plays a critical role in the development of the baby's brain and spinal cord. It is vitally important in preventing serious birth defects such as neural tube defects (NTDs), especially in the very early stages of pregnancy, often before most women even know they are pregnant. Therefore, it is strongly advised that every woman planning a pregnancy, as part of her preconception screening, starts folic acid supplementation at least one month before conception and continues throughout the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
In addition to folic acid supplementation, other vitamin and mineral supplements may also be important before and during pregnancy, as recommended by your doctor. For example, iron supplementation may be necessary for women at risk of iron deficiency anemia. Vitamin D deficiency is quite common in Turkey and is important for bone health as well as the immune system. Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy can negatively affect the health of both the mother and the baby, so it is important to check vitamin D levels with blood tests and supplement if there is a deficiency.
Omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid), can be beneficial for the baby's brain and eye development. Omega