Wedding To-Do's: Cake Tasting, Wedding Dress Shopping...and Genetic Testing?

Congratulations! "He put a ring on it"!!

The average age for a woman to be engaged for her first marriage is 25. While many women like to focus on selecting the date, choosing their bridesmaids, and figuring out the honeymoon location, there's one thing that many brides-to-be don't focus on during this important time in their life. Their health. Yes, many future brides like to lose weight before the wedding, but let's be honest, it's not to prevent heart disease, it's to fit in that perfect dress.

Photo Credit: strollerderby (The Health Benefits of Marriage)

Making an appointment to the doctors office is just as important as making an appointment with David's Bridal or with the local bakery. Below is a bride-to-be health checklist to have a happy, fabulous wedding day and marrage.

• Have a Pap smear, and a complete pelvic exam to check for any abnormalities.
• Talk to your doctor and decide which type of birth control is best for you and your future fertility.
• Take a genetic test if children are in the future.
• Don't want children? Discuss with your doctor and your fiance about tubal ligation or vasectomy.
• Get tested tested for HIV and other STDS. This is very important as undiagnosed sexually transmitted diseases such could have a devastating effect on your future fertility.
• While you're at it, get a complete general physical exam that includes laboratory testing and a discussion about your family medical history and make sure that your immunizations are up-to-date at this appointment.
• Worried about your monthly friend visiting on the big day? Talk to your doc about using contraceptives to delay the onset of menstruation. There are many types of contraceptives that can assist in causing a long delay in your cycle. Added bonus: You don't have to worry about a copay anymore. Yay for saving money on the wedding budget :).

While these items are suggestions, every women will be different in regards to health needs. So be sure to talk to your primary care physician to figure out what's needed for you and your spouse. A healthy bride means a healthy marriage and that means a healthy family!

Bottom line: Your health is just as important as your wedding dress. Always make your health a priority. While many of us take the time for pre-marriage counseling, we should also take the time for pre-marriage health testing.