Planning a Pregnancy: What Tests Both Partners Should Take

Preconception preparation improves the chances of a healthy pregnancy and helps find, in advance, what is better corrected beforehand — deficiencies, infections, hormonal issues. Let's break down what tests to take when planning a pregnancy — for both partners. Good planning before pregnancy means both partners prepare together, not the woman alone.

Why Prepare in Advance

Many issues (anaemia, vitamin D deficiency, untreated infections, thyroid problems) are easier to correct before pregnancy. Plus folate is started 2–3 months before conception — it reduces the risk of neural tube defects.

Tests for the Woman

An approximate baseline (the exact set is set by the doctor):

• complete blood count and biochemistry, glucose;
• ferritin (iron stores) and vitamin D — common deficiencies, see which vitamins you are missing;
• TSH (the thyroid affects conception and carrying);
• sex hormones on indication, ovulation assessment — ovulation;
• infections: HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, TORCH, an STI swab;
• blood group and rhesus factor (and the partner's).

Tests for the Man

The main one is a semen analysis (fertility assessment); how to read it — semen analysis results. Plus infection/STI tests and blood group with rhesus. With abnormal semen analysis — see an andrologist.

Folate and Vitamins

Folate is recommended in advance (2–3 months), often with vitamin D and iodine on indication. Doses and the set are chosen from tests — not "by eye".

What Next

After conception, preparation turns into monitoring — the full list of investigations by trimester is in what tests are done in pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur within a year (or 6 months after age 35), it is a reason to see a fertility specialist.

To understand your preconception tests in plain language, upload the form (PDF or photo) to the lab results interpretation service: the AI will explain the markers against the norms. This helps you understand the result but does not replace a doctor.

This article is informational. The preparation plan and test interpretation are the doctor's job.