The 28-year-old said they wanted to screen for recessive and dominant genes and test for thalassemia. She also opted for Rh blood group incompatibility checks, along with uterine and ovarian ultrasounds, hormone tests, and pre-pregnancy vaccinations.
"We want a clear picture of our reproductive health to avoid genetic diseases or birth defects for our children," Hoa explained, adding that she was aware of inheritable diseases and their potential burden, hence the decision for thorough checkups.
Tan Phat, 31, and his fiancee also visited the VNVC vaccination system for premarital vaccinations. They had previously undergone blood tests, infectious disease screenings, semen analysis, and hormone evaluations.
Phat said they plan to marry in October and conceive soon after. During their preparations, they were advised to get vaccinated for a healthier baby, so they opted for early vaccination.
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Many young people choose premarital health checks and prenatal screenings to proactively ensure their health as a couple. Illustration: Vecteezy |
Many young people choose premarital health checks and prenatal screenings to proactively ensure their health as a couple. Illustration: Vecteezy
Doctor Tran Huynh Tan, Medical Manager at VNVC, noted an increasing number of couples proactively seeking premarital health checks. This positive trend helps detect and treat issues affecting sexual health and fertility, such as reproductive tract infections, blocked fallopian tubes, low sperm count, HPV, syphilis, genital warts, and gonorrhea. Furthermore, premarital screenings can assess the risk of passing on certain diseases or genetic conditions to future children.
Premarital and pre-pregnancy vaccinations are also gaining traction among young people. According to Doctor Tan, vaccines are a simple and effective way to prevent infectious diseases. Hepatitis B, for example, is prevalent in Vietnam, affecting around 8.6 million people, or 15% of the population. It causes 80% of primary liver cancer cases, contributing to nearly 80,000 liver cancer cases and 40,000 deaths annually. Vaccination is currently the most effective preventive measure against hepatitis B.
Nationwide, some infectious diseases like dengue fever and measles are no longer seasonal, impacting couples. Pregnant women with dengue fever face increased risks of miscarriage, premature birth, especially during labor, severe bleeding, and complications affecting the fetus.
Vaccines also increase disease prevention rates and build immunity for families and communities. In addition to prevalent infectious diseases, couples should consider vaccinations for measles-mumps-rubella, chickenpox, diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus, influenza, pneumococcal disease, and meningococcal disease before marriage.
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Young people receiving vaccinations at VNVC. Photo: Moc Thao |
Young people receiving vaccinations at VNVC. Photo: Moc Thao
Doctor Tan recommends screenings and vaccinations at least 3-6 months before marriage. This allows sufficient time to complete necessary vaccinations not advisable during pregnancy, enabling the body to develop stable antibody protection. Early detection of health issues provides time for treatment and intervention before marriage and pregnancy planning.
Couples should discuss genetic conditions like thalassemia and hemophilia, chronic illnesses like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and mental health issues openly. This helps identify potential risks, maximizing screening effectiveness.
To enhance disease prevention, couples should adopt a healthy lifestyle, including at least 150 minutes of weekly exercise, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, following a balanced diet for adequate nutrition, maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress, and practicing healthy habits.
Binh Nguyen
At 8 p.m. on 18/7, VNVC will host an online consultation: "Vaccines for couples planning to marry, and women before and during pregnancy". The program features the following experts:
Doctor Bui Thanh Phong, Medical Manager, VNVC
Ms. Nguyen Duong Khanh Vy, Customer Care Manager, VNVC
The program will be broadcast on VnExpress, VNVC, Tam Anh General Hospital, and Nutrihome nutrition clinic media channels. Readers can submit questions here.
