If you are planning to conceive, it is recommended that you consult your doctor before becoming pregnant. During pregnancy, women receive routine antenatal care to ensure your own and your baby’s health throughout the pregnancy. It also means that your doctor can identify any potential issues at the earliest possible time and work with you to manage them. Pre- pregnancy screening is an important first step in ensuring an optimum pregnancy.

There are several pre-pregnancy tests which are recommended for women before pregnancy. Tests include routine blood type screening as well as testing antibody levels for diseases such as Rubella, Mumps and Measles.

Testing for blood type is an important screening test for the prevention of hemolytic disease of the newborn. This condition is completely preventable with appropriate treatment – injections of immune globulin during and after pregnancy. Hemolytic disease of the newborn is uncommon and only occurs when a woman has Rhesus negative blood type but her partner and child have Rh+ blood type.

There is an extensive list of other tests which may be offered, depending on your circumstances and history. These include testing Vitamin D levels, checking for urinary tract infections by way of a mid-stream urine test, and generally ensuring that you and your reproductive organs are in a healthy condition. A pap-smear may be recommended..

You can choose to visit a female GP for screening and may request a female doctor on booking your appointment.