Expert answer:
The tests that must be done by the man and the woman before trying to get pregnant are:
For the woman:
Serology for toxoplasmosis and rubella: It is important to know if the woman is immune to these diseases or not, so that care is taken to avoid them. If they are acquired during pregnancy, they can bring serious complications to the fetus, such as:
- Rubella: Preterm birth, blindness, cataracts, glaucoma, heart disease, mental retardation, fetal death;
- Toxoplasmosis: Spontaneous abortion, hydrocephalus, mental retardation, blindness, deafness, seizures, developmental delay;
- Blood glucose test: Checks glucose (sugar) levels in the blood and serves to detect diabetes or know if the woman has a tendency to develop the disease;
- Papanicola: It tracks cell changes that can progress to cervical cancer;
- Ultrasound: It mainly serves to detect changes in the uterus, such as changes in its shape and fibroids, which can cause miscarriage, in addition to endometriosis, which can make pregnancy difficult;
- Blood count: It is a blood test used to diagnose anemia, infections, hepatitis, syphilis, HIV, in addition to informing the blood type.
- For man:
- Blood count;
- Spermogram: It is not a mandatory examination, but it is advisable for the man to do if the couple intends to become pregnant, since the examination evaluates the reproductive capacity of the man, by analyzing the quantity and quality of his spermatozoa.
The obstetrician should advise the couple on the examinations that both should do before the pregnancy.
