Pre-Marital Health

All too often, when we think of marriage or wedding plans, what comes to mind is the spiritual preparation to be a wife and mother or the physical preparation for the walima. As the date nears, checking one’s health status is certainly not uppermost on one’s mind.

As Muslims, we are encouraged to find righteous spouses so that our progeny will be righteous too. So too is the importance of good health before marriage, especially in detecting genetic diseases which can be passed on to our offspring. Whilst pre-marital health screenings are not a marriage requisite, it is nonetheless useful information to acquire. Whether one proceeds with marriage after the confirmation of a genetic disease in either the prospective bride or groom is a personal choice, but at least, as far as humanly possible, you have eliminated any element of “surprise” that may tarnish the arrival of your offspring. 

What constitutes a pre-marital health screening?

In Singapore, where I come from, this includes testing for thalassaemia, a genetic blood disorder, which can be undetected in you or your future spouse. It is possible that both individuals could be carriers but do not have manifest symptoms of the disease, nevertheless, it can be passed on to progeny with the possibility of one child becoming thalassaemic. Thalassaemia is more prevalent amongst Asians, those of Mediterranean descent, Middle Easterners,South East Asians and Indians of the subcontinent. In Australia, it is recommended that all women of child bearing age be screened for thalassaemia and testing for thalassaemia involves a simple blood test.

Other tests carried out are for testing for blood borne infections such as Hepatitis B and AIDS. This is especially important for those working in high risk occupations such as the bio-medical industry.

Irrespective of our stage of life, we should always maintain a healthy lifestyle. It is wise to also test for diabetes and cholesterol levels, especially if there is a family history of such disease. All things being equal, being of optimal good health will certainly be an advantage to falling pregnant.

 

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