A hemoglobin test is essential when you are planning a baby because it will determine the general health condition of would be mother. Lack of hemoglobin affects the health of pregnant women and also the developing baby because the same blood will be passing on to meet the requirements of the baby.

The hemoglobin level is needed to be adequate during conception to meet the demand of your body and that of your baby.  The red blood cell production suddenly plummets causing women tend to become anemic during pregnancy. Low RBC count in a woman lacks the supply of sufficient oxygen in the blood stream, which results unconsciousness and sudden death.

The test detects the potential of your red blood cells to carry oxygen, as the baby will get the same oxygen for its survival. Therefore, a mother should have sufficient amount of hemoglobin in her blood stream. The expected hemoglobin levels are between 12-14 grams. Doctors consider the condition to be anemic when the levels fall below 10 grams. The test is prescribed before and after conception, also during the various stages of pregnancy, which helps the doctor to compare the hemoglobin levels and to prescribe appropriate medication to deal with the problem.