The idea of spending the rest of your life with your partner is super sweet and exciting, but before saying “I Do” to your lover in the presence of your loved ones, there are some necessary medical tests you should have had, that might take a toll on your marriage in future if life happens!
Getting married means your decisions are now for two or more, including health; which is why premarital check ups shouldn’t be taken with negligence. Now without further ado, let’s talk about 7 premarital tests you should take before your wedding.
Before talking about the tests, let’s talk about why we need to take them.
- Early detection: Premarital tests help you to be aware of certain things on time, so they can be treated or limited in transferring to children.
- Prevention: We all know the saying “prevention is better than cure”. Taking premarital tests early on might save you from some health issues that could occur later on. Your love for each other might not be enough when the issues start, testing now would prevent future heartbreaks.
- Reduces financial burdens: We all know taking care of persons with serious health conditions require a lot of money. Taking a premarital test might save you a whole lot financial burden later.
- Helps in decision making: When certain conditions are brought to light, it’s easier for the parents make the best choice for their unborn kids; unlike when they weren’t aware.
What are the types of premarital tests needed?
1. Genotype test
Genotype compatibility is an important test every couple should take because it would be affecting the future of unborn kids. Parent’s genotypes determine the children’s and doctors often advise some genotype groups to stay away from each other, because genotype incompatibility would lead to complications in the children.
According to research, here are the compatible and incompatible genotypes:
AA + AA = compatible
AA + AS = compatible
AA + SS = compatible
AA + AC = compatible
AS + AS = incompatible
AS + AC = incompatible
AS + SS = incompatible
AS + SC = incompatible
SS + SS = Incompatible
AC + SS = incompatible
SC + SS = incompatible
2. Blood group test/ Blood group compatibility
It’s important to know the blood group of your partner in other to prevent issues relating to blood compatibility or Rhesus compatibility. Your blood group can be A, B, AB and O; but there’s another factor known as the Rhesus factor that makes it positive or negative, as in A+, A-, B+, etc.,
Blood group compatibility becomes an issue in pregnancy, because of the Rhesus factor. When the woman is Rh- and the husband is Rh+, there is a high chance the baby will be Rh+.
If a baby is Rh+, blood cells from an Rh+ baby coming in contact with the Rh- mother’s blood during pregnancy, labour, and delivery, might set off an immune response producing antibodies.
In subsequent pregnancies of Rh+ babies, these antibodies from the previous pregnancy (already in the mother’s blood stream) can cross the placenta and attack the next fetus’ blood cells which can lead to serious health problems, even death, for a fetus or a newborn.
Understanding both your blood groups will help your doctor prevent Rhesus incompatibility issues during pregnancy.
3. HIV & other STDs
For couples who have been previously sexually active, it’s best to get these tests to prevent sexually transmitting diseases to their partner. HIV, Hepatitis B and C are conditions that last for a long time and if not properly managed, can affect the marriage.
Being aware of your partner’s status can help you prevent yourself from getting the condition and even help them manage the condition better. And it also saves you the hurt of finding out the “secret” later.
Other STDs include: gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, bacterial vaginosis, warts, etc, which can be treated with the right medical care. Having prior knowledge and taking proper steps as directed by the doctor can reduce risks of infertility or miscarriages.
4. Fertility test
Infertility issues may cause psychological, emotional, social, and biological trauma. Every marriage wants babies after a while, so it’s important to do fertility tests beforehand to save one from any unnecessary surprises in the future.
Fertility issues can’t be tied to only the woman, that’s why it’s best to take this test with your partner. Some of the tests that would be taken can include: hormonal imbalance, semen analysis, HSG, ovarian reserve testing, pelvic ultrasound, PCOS, fibroids, among many others.
5. Genetic/ Inheritable diseases
It’s possible you and your partner don’t have any serious health conditions, but it’s important to know whether one or both of you could be carriers of certain conditions that can be transferred to your children.
However, either/both of you could presently have these genetic or chronic medical conditions. Early testing for conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, hypertension, sickle cell disease, cancer, etc; that can be transferred to the kids would help parents seek medical assistance early on or make important decisions like ending the relationship now as opposed to finding out later.
6. Mental health examination
Sound mental health in both partners is required for a healthy marriage. Some mental health disorders can be passed to the children, so it’s important to know beforehand.
Conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, mood disorders, mania, etc, are some of the tests for mental examinations. The tests should also include behavioural and personality disorders.
7. General health assessment
You need a general assessment to evaluate the overall health status of you and your partner. Some of the assessments include weight, height, blood pressure, respiratory functions, cardiovascular functions as well as breast examination and abdominal examination; which are all necessary for a healthy lifestyle.
Getting these tests done before getting married would really save you a whole lot of stress. They are as important as everything else, add them to your prewedding list today!
Did you enjoy reading? Don’t forget to share with a friend that might also need this!
What other tests should be taken and I didn’t add? Did you take all these tests? Tell us in the comments.
That said, We enlighten women on health and fertility matters, and discuss vital family/marital problems. We also have a column where you can seek advice anonymously, In addition we give food and fashion inspo, asoebi ideas, celeb gossip and more. Snoop around a bit more, and you will find something that will keep you hooked. Or better still subscribe to our newsletter so you don’t miss out on any of this.
Resources
Other interesting posts you would enjoy 👇🏾
Leave a Reply