Your GP can arrange some tests before you attend your fertility appointments.
Full blood count
Looking to ensure parameters are normal particularly Haemoglobin (the red cells in the blood which carry oxygen) which can drop with heavy periods.
Blood group and antibody screen
Rhesus antibody screen looks at whether you are blood group A, B, AB or O and if you a positive or negative blood group. Women with a negative blood group must have an Anti-D injection if there are threatening to miscarry or have bleeding, have Chorionic Villus Sampling Amniocentesis (CVS). This will stop the mother sensitising against babies they may carry in the future.
Rubella immunity (German measles)
This ensures that you are immune from contracting Rubella in pregnancy which can lead to foetal abnormalities. If not immune, you could be vaccinated before attempting to become pregnant.
Syphilis
An old fashioned disease but devastating to you and your baby in untreated. Fortunately treatment is available and is very effective.
Hepatitis B surface antigen
This detects if you have Hepatitis B in the blood. All babies born of Hepatitis B positive mothers are given immunoglobulin to prevent then contracting Hepatitis at birth. New babies are now vaccinated against Hepatitis B in a three vaccination course.
Hepatitis C antigen
To check if you have Hepatitis C infection. This may be a totally silent infection and in the long term can cause liver damage.
HIV
HIV has become more common. By treating the mother with antiviral medication in pregnancy we can reduce the transmission to the baby.
TSH
Thyroid Function Tests (TSH) look for Thyroid stimulating hormone to ensure you do not have overactive or under active thyroid. Abnormal thyroid functions can increase infertility and may possibly be linked to miscarriage.
Pap smear
Cells are taken from the cervix are examined under a microscope. This screening should be done every two years or yearly if you have had recent abnormalities of the cervix. We need to exclude pre-cancerous cells of the cervix.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia often has no symptoms.
© ISIS Fertility 2010
Canberra Australia