Pre-conception check-ups help couples who are planning to have a baby to detect abnormalities, treat and avoid potential problems in time, adjust both physically and psychologically to the best condition before pregnancy, and plan the pregnancy under the guidance of a doctor to reduce birth defects and ensure that the mother-to-be gets through the pregnancy and delivery safely. Why should I have preconception checkups? Why should I have a preconception checkup? Preconception checkups help couples who are planning to have a baby to detect abnormalities, treat and avoid potential problems in a timely manner, adjust both physically and psychologically to the best condition, and plan the pregnancy under the guidance of a doctor to reduce birth defects and ensure that the mother-to-be has a safe pregnancy and delivery. In August 2003, the new Marriage Registration Regulations promulgated by the State Council of China no longer make marriage checkups mandatory, which means you can choose not to have a premarital checkup. But on the other hand, premarital checkups are from the perspective of eugenics, and many of them are for genetic and reproductive checkups. If you have not had a marriage checkup, it is better to be screened for relevant common genetic and infectious diseases when you are ready to get pregnant, to make early diagnosis of some diseases and give early treatment. If you have had a marriage test and no problems were found, it is best to have a preconception test before you are ready to have a child, because everyone’s physical state is always changing and having a test can detect any hidden dangers that may endanger your health and that of your offspring. When to have a preconception test? From the point of view of modern medical health care, it is best to schedule a preconception checkup 3 to 6 months before pregnancy so that if abnormalities or problems unsuitable for pregnancy are detected, they can be treated and corrected in time. If available, you and your significant other should undergo preconception care at a qualified health care facility. This includes a preconception physical examination, preconception health guidance and preconception counseling, followed by planning conception under the guidance of a physician. What is the content of preconception checkup? Preconception checkups in a broad sense are one of the elements of preconception health care. According to the “Standard for Preconception Health Care Services (for Trial Implementation)” issued by the Ministry of Health in February 2007, preconception health care services include health education and counseling, health status examination, and health guidance. Among them, health status examination means preconception examination in a narrow sense, including assessment of health status and preconception medical examination. Together with your husband, find a large regular hospital or a regular specialized hospital, go to the obstetrics and gynecology department and explain your intention to the doctor, and ask them to guide you to do the appropriate tests. In addition to general physical examination, preconception checkups usually include the following: routine blood test routine urine test gynecological ultrasound electrocardiogram, chest X-ray virus and toxoplasmosis screening sexually transmitted disease test hepatitis B and half test, hepatitis A and C antibody measurement cervical smear test chromosome test sex hormone six test