What to know about pre-marital screening when planning pregnancy

The appointment usually includes a health history, discussion of family conditions, examination when needed, and blood tests selected according to the programme and your circumstances. Screening may look for communicable infections, blood-group or blood-related conditions, and inherited traits relevant to a couple. A result can be reassuring, show a condition needing care, or identify a trait that calls for genetic counselling. It is not a complete prediction of future fertility or pregnancy health.

Both partners may be offered screening because inherited conditions involve genetic information from each side. Results should be explained privately and clearly, including what is known, what needs confirmation and whether a specialist referral is appropriate.

Bring identification and any available vaccination, medical, medicine and family-history information. Tell the clinician about pregnancy plans, previous diagnoses, symptoms, allergies and concerns about confidentiality. Ask whether fasting or other preparation is needed. If a result is abnormal or unexpected, wait for confirmatory advice before making major decisions; request counselling so you understand options and next steps.

Arrange follow-up for any result marked positive, abnormal, unclear or requiring confirmation. Seek medical care for symptoms such as fever, unusual discharge, genital sores, severe pelvic pain or unexplained bleeding rather than waiting for routine screening. If you are already pregnant or may be pregnant, tell the clinician before tests or treatment are planned.

Ask which tests are included, what each result can and cannot show, when results will be ready, and who will explain them. Discuss inherited conditions in both families, whether genetic counselling is available, which vaccinations or treatments may matter before pregnancy, and how follow-up is arranged.