Blood tests prior to conception?

Question

My husband and I are thinking about having a child - are there tests that should be done before we conceive? Can they determine from tests if we are likely to pass something to a child through the combination of our genes?

Answer 1

Some genetic disorders, like cystic fibrosis or Tay-Sachs disease can be screened for in a blood test. What exactly is the appropriate set of things to screen for will depend on your family history and your ethnic background-certain conditions are more prevalent in some populations than others. My screening, for example, included Tay-Sachs disease, because I'm Jewish. You can consult with your health care provider to help determine what you might want to be screened for. You may want to check with your health insurance to see what they cover, regarding screening.

Good general health is important too-things like cholesterol and the other sorts of things that you would want to keep track of. It's wise to get screend for immunity to Rubella (German measles) because that can cause very serious pregnancy complications and birth defects, if a pregnant woman is exposed and not immune. If you aren't immune, and get (re)vaccinated, you do have to wait a while before you can safely get pregnant. You may want to consider a thryoid screening, too, since thyroid conditions can affect the ability to get, or keep a pregnancy.

Make a pre-conception appointment with your health care provider, and see what he or she advises, too.

Answer 2

If you have a family history of some sort of health problem you might want to discuss that and the fact that you are TTC with your doctor. He will then determine whether blood tests are in order to be sure you don't carry something potentially harmful.