Couples should visit their gynecologist when they think about starting their family.This is called the preconception counseling visit.
We have come a long way from the traditional belief that women should avoid doctor visits till the first 2-3 months of pregnancy.
The benefits of the preconception visit are many-
The gynecologist can check you for any pre-existing medical problems eg Diabetes, epilepsy, thalassemia, any genetic conditions.You should also inform your physician or specialist treating your medical condition that you are planning pregnancy, so that they can ensure it’s safe for you to get pregnant, and stop or change your medicines if needed.
Some medications are not safe in pregnancy. Your gynecologist checks what all medicines you are on and may need to modify or stop them if you are planning pregnancy.
You can be advised to start folic acid tablets. Every woman should start 400micrograms of folic acid to avoid neural tube defects(problems in the spinal cord) of the baby.
You are advised to have a blood test to check for rubella, thyroid, thalassemia, hepatitis B, syphilis, and HIV
We also advise you about a healthy diet. Include foods rich in iron, calcium and folic acid; also, some oily fish.
Have strict food hygiene. In particular, wash your hands after handling raw meat, or handling cats and kittens, and before you prepare food.
Making Healthy Choices
It is important to enter a pregnancy in your most healthy state.This is essential to avoid complications in the mother or the baby.
Ideally, prenatal vitamins are started 3 months prior to conception
- Folic Acid – helps prevent neural tube defects (defects of the brain and spinal cord)
- Calcium – promotes strong bones and teeth for both you and baby
- Iron – aids in the development of blood and muscle cells for mom and baby
- Combined, these vitamins reduce the risk of low birth weight babies
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids – help with brain development
- Vitamin D – important later in pregnancy
Diet
- Have an Antioxidant rich diet to improve your fertility.Vitamins A, C,E have antioxidant properties, and they are found in all colorful fruits and vegetables.
- These include all green leafy vegetables, berries and citrus fruits, beans and nuts.Consume whole grains instead of refined flour.
- Avoid refined, processed food with all-purpose flour (maida) and sugar.
Alcohol
- You need to avoid it if planning pregnancy.As long as the habit is discontinued immediately, there should be no harm to your growing baby.
Caffeine
- Limit caffeine intake to 1 cup of coffee or 1-2 cups of tea or avoid it if you take dark chocolate. The aim is to keep caffeine intake not more than 200mg of daily.
Exercise
- YES! Contrary to the popular belief that exercise can harm a pregnancy, it actually helps improve your fertility and helps you get pregnant.
- Discuss an exercise program with your practitioner depending on your weight/BMI and fitness levels
- Those who exercise regularly before pregnancy are typically encouraged to continue their routine.
Smoking
- NO! Quitting before 3 months of getting pregnant reduces harm to your baby.
- Passive smoking should also be avoided.
- Husbands should also quit smoking as it may affect the sperm quality.
- Infact, quitting smoking will improve fertility and chances of getting pregnant for both males and females.
- Smoking can cause preterm birth, low birth weight, miscarriage, wheezing or breathing issues in the baby in first few months of life.
Recreational drugs
- Absolutely not! Drugs like cocaine can have chemicals that can cause grave harm to the pregnancy, so avoid at all costs when planning a pregnancy
Weight
- A woman should enter a pregnancy at a healthy weight. You should calculate your BMI or Body mass index by dividing your weight (in kg) by the square of your height (in metres).
- If your BMI is more than 25( overweight) or obese(BMI>30), you should bring it down before getting pregnant. High BMI can cause problems in pregnancy like high blood pressure.
- You should start a diet and exercise plan to reduce your BMI when planning pregnancy.
Cats
- Keep them. But avoid changing the litter box yourself or use disposable gloves because cat litter can transmit a viral infection called Toxoplasmosis, which could affect the pregnancy adversely.
- Do tell your doctor if you have pets, so that you can be tested for toxoplasma and CMV virus before planning pregnancy.
Hot Tubs & Saunas
- Hot tub use is safe during pregnancy, although we recommend feet only.
- Any prolonged period with a body temperature >102˚F may cause harm to the baby. This is similar for saunas or steam rooms.
- Males should avoid high temperatures for prolonged time as it may affect sperm quality.
