According to data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare from 2019, there have been around 26 million births in India, with 79% of pregnant women receiving at least one antenatal care.
On this International Day of Action for Women’s Health, it is important to recognize and celebrate the importance of women’s well-being and reproductive health
Preparing for the arrival of a new life is an important event, and thorough planning and necessary medical tests are important for both mother and child. According to data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare from 2019, there have been around 26 million births in India, with 79% of pregnant women attending antenatal care at least once. However, only 51% of women manage the recommended minimum of four appointments. Various factors have contributed to this situation, including limited awareness about the importance of regular check-ups, limited access to health facilities, financial constraints and inadequate health care infrastructure in various regions. On this International Day of Action for Women’s Health, it is important to recognize and celebrate the importance of women’s well-being and reproductive health.
“Apart from medical tests to ensure that the expectant mother is healthy, it is important to prioritize the overall health of the mother, including a balanced diet and proper nutrition. Daily iron and folic acid supplementation is currently recommended by the WHO as part of antenatal care to reduce the risk of low birth weight, maternal anemia and iron deficiency. It is important that the mother gets her hemoglobin, blood pressure, urine and weight checked at regular intervals. Abdominal examination and ultrasound are necessary to assess fetal development,” says Dr Mokshadayini, Gynecologist and Obstetrician and Senior Consultant, MedGenome Labs.
In addition to the above tests, with technological advancements, it is now possible in India for prospective parents to undergo genetic testing, which helps identify potential health concerns or inherited diseases that may increase the risk of pregnancy complications. can reduce. Dr Mokshadayini explains about the various tests:
carrier screening
Carrier screening is a comprehensive test that uses advanced technologies such as NGS and MLPA to identify disease-causing mutations in over 2000 genes associated with genetic disorders. It is usually done before or early in pregnancy to detect individuals who carry the genetic variants for diseases. Although it can be done at any time, it is most beneficial to obtain accurate information about genetic risks prior to pregnancy and during the early stages of pregnancy.
Preimplantation Genetic Testing – Aneuploidy (PGT – A, M, S)
PGT-A is a specialized test that assesses the chromosomal content of embryos before implantation after in vitro fertilization (IVF). By examining cells from IVF embryos, it identifies numerical chromosomal abnormalities known as aneuploidy. PGT-A is conducted at the blastocyst stage (around day 5-7 of embryonic development) prior to pregnancy, thereby selecting embryos with a higher chance of successful implantation and reducing the risk of specific genetic conditions. May go.
Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)
NIPT is a safe and non-invasive prenatal screening test that provides accurate genetic information about the baby, setting it apart from other tests. By analyzing fetal DNA from the placenta in maternal blood, it detects genetic abnormalities that contribute to diseases. NIPT can be performed after the 10th week of pregnancy when there is enough fetal DNA in the mother’s bloodstream for analysis.
rhesus d track
The non-invasive RhD test analyzes cell-free fetal DNA in maternal blood to determine the RhD blood type of the fetus. This helps identify RhD sensitization and prevent complications in future pregnancies. This test is different because it assesses RhD status and is done in the first trimester to evaluate RhD incompatibility risk.
molecular cytogenetic testing
Cytogenetic testing is a versatile approach that can be performed on a variety of body tissues during pregnancy or after birth. It can detect numerical or structural chromosomal defects and is available prenatally, postnatally, or on the fetus. The timing of the test depends on the specific clinical indication and may be conducted at different stages of pregnancy.
recurrent pregnancy loss test
Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is the occurrence of two or more failed clinical pregnancies (as confirmed by ultrasound or pregnancy test). The RPL test is performed to identify the underlying cause and explore options for a successful pregnancy, while focusing on examining the potential mother’s cause.
To determine which tests are appropriate for your specific needs in prenatal and reproductive health, it is essential that you consult a health practitioner to receive guidance for a successful pregnancy.