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How to prepare for conception?

Pregnancy planning is really necessary, especially in our time, when a healthy woman is the exception rather than the rule. Not to mention the fact that pregnancy is a serious test for the body of even a perfectly healthy woman.

It can be said that entering into a pregnancy without prior preparation for it is the same as flying on an airplane that has not been checked in advance: maybe it will cost, or maybe not. Of course, aircraft are tested before each flight. So why does a woman, ready to give birth to a new human being, not always conduct a similar check of her body? After all, the price of her neglect of herself and her health can be the life of the unborn child.

The process of preparing for pregnancy is quite complex and includes several stages. It is worth starting planning a few months (at least three) before the time when the couple intends to conceive a baby.

And at the stage of pregnancy planning , it is necessary to understand that the bearing and birth of a baby is not a woman's business, but a married couple's. Therefore, the active participation of the father in planning pregnancy is extremely necessary and important for himself, and for his wife, and for the unborn baby.

Without the help of doctors, it will not be possible to manage even at this stage. A visit to the gynecologist will allow you to identify possible diseases and treat them in a timely manner. After the first appeal, future parents undergo several examinations and pass certain tests in order to find out how ready their bodies are for conceiving a baby, as well as to prevent possible problems when carrying a child. The gynecologist will tell you what to do if, before planning a pregnancy, a woman was protected with hormonal contraceptives. It is necessary to stop taking hormonal contraceptives 3 months before the planned pregnancy.

It is important for a future mother to understand that only a healthy woman can bear and give birth to a healthy baby. In this regard, you need to start taking care of your own health long before conception. Good physical shape, the absence of diseases, proper nutrition and the rejection of bad habits, hygiene and a measured lifestyle - all this has a beneficial effect on the female body and subsequently makes it easier to endure pregnancy. However, not all vitamins can be obtained from food. For example, the body can only obtain folic acid in an artificial form, since its counterpart (folate), found in green vegetables, beans, asparagus, and citrus fruits, is much less absorbed. Folic acid is very important for the development of the baby to take place correctly, and the need for its intake exists throughout pregnancy. If the mother's body during the bearing of the child receives a sufficient amount of this substance, then the risk of pathology from the nervous system is minimized.

What tests should a married couple undergo

before planning a pregnancy?

1. Gynecological examination, colposcopy for women.
2. Blood type, Rh factor for both spouses. If a woman has a positive Rh factor, there is no problem. If a woman has a negative Rh factor - antibodies to the Rh factor (even if a man is also negative). If they are positive, pregnancy is not currently possible and needs to be corrected. If negative - repeat this analysis once a month, starting from 8 weeks of pregnancy. If a woman has 1 group, and a man has any other group, incompatibility by blood types is possible. An analysis for group antibodies, as well as an analysis for antibodies to the Rh factor, is carried out once a month, starting from 8 weeks of pregnancy.
3. Tests for infections: routine smear, PCR for latent infections - both spouses.
4. Blood test for TORCH-complex. Antibodies to rubella, toxoplasma, herpes, CMV, chlamydia - quantitative analysis (with titer). The presence of IgG antibodies means immunity to these infections, and is not an obstacle to pregnancy. The presence of IgM means an acute stage, planning in this case must be postponed until recovery. If there are no IgG antibodies to rubella, it is necessary to be vaccinated and protected for another 3 months after it.
5. A trip to the dentist, a therapist, chest x-ray is a must for both spouses. By appointment of the therapist - consultation of narrow specialists (ENT doctor, urologist, endocrinologist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist).
6. Spermogram. Desirable, but not required. It is done to determine the quality of spermatozoa and identify a hidden inflammatory process (a much more informative analysis than any smears and PCR).
7. Ultrasound of the pelvic organs - at least 2 times per cycle: after menstruation and before menstruation. For the first time, the general condition of the pelvic organs is assessed, in the second, the presence of a corpus luteum and endometrial transformation, indicating that ovulation has occurred. Ideally, an intermediate third ultrasound on the eve of the expected ovulation is to detect the dominant follicle.
8. Blood test for hormones of the reproductive system, thyroid gland, adrenal glands - according to indications.
9. Ultrasound of the thyroid gland, mammary glands - according to indications.
10. Hemostasiogram, coagulogram. - according to indications.
11. General clinical blood test (hemoglobin, erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets, ESR, color index, leukocyte formula). Finger blood. General urinalysis (morning portion of urine - completely collected, it is important that the analysis does not include discharge from neighboring organs).
12. Blood tests for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B and C - for both spouses.
13. If there was a case of hereditary diseases in the family, miscarriages, spontaneous miscarriages, seek advice from a medical genetic consultation (Krasnoyarsk Regional Consultative and Diagnostic Center for Medical Genetics, Krasnoyarsk, Molokova St. 7, t. 55-99-20).

Pregnancy planning

From the physiological data of expectant mothers and fathers, as well as their tendency to certain diseases, not only how quickly and safely the conception occurs, but also the nature of the course of pregnancy and the development of the fetus and, of course, the health of the born baby. It is important not only to eat right and get rid of harmful attachments, it is necessary to minimize all possible risks, therefore, preparation for pregnancy should begin from the first and most important stage - the passage of a full-fledged study by potential parents, which includes laboratory tests and diagnostics.

This approach will allow to obtain a general clinical picture and, if necessary, will make it possible to establish the true cause of infertility and systematic miscarriages, as well as to select the most effective therapy and minimize the risks of complications and pathologies. Moreover, both expectant mothers and fathers should be examined, even if they are very young and have never felt unwell.

General tests

A feature of the female body is the ability to quickly adapt to any physiological changes and therefore many diseases often cannot be diagnosed by primary signs and symptoms. Laboratory studies will help to take an anamnesis and establish the true causes of dysfunction of various organs that affect childbearing.

Vaginal smear for flora

Bacterioscopy of vaginal smear is a routine gynecological research method that allows assessing the condition of the mucous membrane of the walls of the vagina and cervix and identifying pathogenic microflora. Screening with a high degree of certainty confirms inflammatory processes in the vagina and hormonal disorders, also shows the presence of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, yeasts and other pathogens, and the level of apathetic cells.

General and biochemical blood tests

An invasive laboratory method that provides information about the health status of potential parents, advanced screening of basic blood parameters and primary data on metabolism and lack of vital trace elements.

Test results include level data:

• glucose and urea;
• total lipids and non-protein nitrogen;
• cholesterol, phospholipids and triglycerides;
• bilirubin and protein.

Also, the study will help determine the ESR, hemoglobin and the number of leukocytes, platelets and red blood cells. Patients can donate venous or capillary blood for general and biochemical analysis. Biomaterial sampling is carried out using modern materials and eliminates the risk of cross-infection.

Urinalysis

Laboratory research, widely demanded in clinical gynecological practice. The parameters obtained during the analysis allow specialists to judge with high certainty the state of the urinary system and the usefulness of the kidneys. The study is aimed at studying the physicochemical, organoleptic and biochemical parameters, as well as the color of morning urine. Necessarily involves microscopic and microbiological screening of urinary sediment.

PCR scraping from the cervix

Modern invasive polymerase chain reaction method based on molecular biology and detecting multiple diseases even at an early stage. The versatility of the technology makes it possible to recognize a huge number of various infections: from ureplasmosis and chlamydia to tuberculosis and herpes.

A minimal amount of biological material is sufficient for the study. This allows you to make the scraping procedure as painless and comfortable as possible for the patient.

Scraping cytology

Biomaterial for research is taken from the outside of the cervix, the walls of the vagina and from the cervical canal. Cytology involves microscopic examination of scrapings and allows you to establish changes in the tissues of the epithelium, which in the future can provoke the development of neoplasms. Additional preparation of the patient is not required.

Thyroid hormones

As an endocrine organ, the thyroid gland produces numerous thyroid hormones. Its insufficient or increased activity causes numerous disorders that provoke changes in metabolism, negatively affect the reproductive function and the nervous system. At the same time, clinical signs of hormonal imbalance do not have pronounced symptoms. As a rule, this is:

• underweight or overweight;
• sleep disturbance and increased nervousness;
• aggression, abruptly replaced by apathy and depression;
• unstable menstrual cycle, infertility, frequent miscarriages.

But these symptoms are also characteristic of other diseases. A blood test for thyroid hormones will allow you to accurately confirm or refute the primary diagnosis and select the most effective medication course.

For analysis, a venous blood sample is taken. If the patient uses hormonal drugs, the study will not be reliable.

Breast and thyroid ultrasound, pelvic organs

Unfortunately, in the modern world, women of childbearing age are increasingly showing fibrotic processes, impaired blood supply to organs, hormonal imbalances and oncological diseases. Ultrasound diagnostics, being a non-invasive and highly informative method, will allow:

• timely detection of various pathologies;
• monitor the effectiveness of drug therapy;
• confirm or refute the pre-diagnosis.

Ultrasound of the pelvic organs - diagnostics that provides reliable and objective information about obstruction of the tubes, adnexitis, fibromas, cysts and other neoplasms. Considering that gynecological problems are associated with a hormonal background and can have mixed symptoms, it is advisable for expectant mothers to undergo a comprehensive examination, which also includes ultrasound diagnostics of the thyroid and mammary glands. This will allow you to get an objective clinical picture, identify neoplasms larger than 2 mm and prescribe the most effective drug or hormonal therapy to your doctor.

Ultrasound of the thyroid and mammary glands, as well as the pelvic organs is absolutely painless and harmless. Therefore, even if it is carried out at a very short gestational age, you can not worry that it will cause any abnormalities in the fetus.

Tests for infections

For anatomically correct and healthy development of the fetus, it is important to identify antibodies to various infections in a potential mother long before pregnancy. This is due to the fact that an adult organism can have stable immunity to pathogenic pathogens, but the developing fetus is very sensitive, and due to latent infection of the mother's body, a miscarriage may occur or various pathologies may appear in the child. It is extremely important to identify the fact of potential carriage before pregnancy and undergo full treatment.

Antibodies to toxoplasmosis, herpes virus, rubella, cytomegalovirus, human papillomavirus

TORCH infections, which include herpes, cytomegalovirus and other peritonally transmitted diseases, are diagnosed exclusively by laboratory methods. For analysis, venous blood is used.

Screening of plasma protein compounds provides the most objective information about the presence of TORCH infections in the body of a future mother. Therefore, this study is mandatory and is included in the course of analyzes of general preparation for pregnancy.

Antibodies to hepatitis B and C, HIV, syphilis, gonococcus, mycoplasma, gardnerellosis

The causative agents of these infections have a significant incubation period or may pass into asymptomatic chronic conditions. Antibodies to these viral infections are also detected clinically in the SZTSDM research laboratory based on a venous blood test.

A positive immune response is interpreted as the actual carriage of a particular virus. But in some cases, the fact of complex infection is revealed, for example, HCV + HIV.

Antibodies to Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

Once in the blood or reproductive organs, strains of Escherichia and Staphylococcus provoke intrauterine infection of the fetus, dysbacteriosis and other diseases. By detecting antibodies to Escherichia coli and staphylococcus in a timely manner, you can undergo effective therapy and protect yourself and your unborn child from health problems.

Enzyme immunoassay of blood serum is the most commonly used method for the detection of antibodies to Escherichia coli and staphylococcus aureus. But the analysis can also be carried out by bakpasev in a smear, urine and feces. The study is not carried out if the patient is taking antibacterial drugs, as a false answer is likely.

Blood clotting test

Given that pregnancy and childbirth are potentially associated with possible blood loss, expectant mothers must definitely do a blood clotting test - a coagulogram. This will allow her personally and the attending physician to have complete information, and, therefore, to objectively assess the risks, timely undergo an optimizing course of treatment and, if necessary, prevent or minimize open and internal bleeding.

Which tests should be done for a man

In general, the list of laboratory tests and functional examinations that are recommended for potential fathers when planning a pregnancy is also aimed at assessing the general physical condition, identifying pathogenic and pathogenic infections and inflammatory processes. But if there is a problem of conception, experts recommend undergoing an examination for infertility and spermatogenesis.

In the Northwestern Center for Evidence-Based Medicine, as part of the pre-pregnancy course, men are offered the opportunity to undergo all the necessary examinations and ultrasound diagnostics. In JSC "SZTsDM" you can do:

• hormone tests;
• spermogram and MAR test;
• general urine and blood tests;
• study of the secret of the prostate gland;
• biochemical screening of blood and Rh factor;
• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs, scrotum and prostate.

And, of course, in order to fully minimize the risks, we recommend future fathers to consider testing for antibodies to TORCH infections (toxoplasmosis, herpes virus, rubella, cytomegalovirus, papillomavirus), sexually transmitted diseases, HCV and HIV. This will completely eliminate the likelihood of intrauterine infection of the fetus, minimize the risk of miscarriage and the development of pathologies. Please note that it is better to complete all studies four, or even six or more months before the planned conception, because drug therapy may be required.

Cost of services in JSC "NWDM"

Our center has implemented a management system in accordance with ISO 9001 and ISO 15189, uses high-quality materials and the most effective methodologies for laboratory and functional diagnostics. This allows us to maintain a high quality of service, guarantee the reliability of surveys and form competitive market prices.

Where to get tested

We have an extensive network of branches and terminals, so contacting the Northwestern Center for Evidence-Based Medicine will allow you to quickly and comprehensively undergo all the necessary examinations and get an absolutely reliable result of laboratory tests and functional diagnostics in the shortest possible time. At the same time, you can call a health worker to your home to collect biological material or receive only one of the above services.

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