Just for Her: Pre-Pregnancy Planning
By John Eggers, MD, Tim Ransden, MD, and Ann Hoffman, DO
Cascade Valley Arlington Women's Health
Crucial stages in a baby's development occur even before you realize you are pregnant, so taking steps before you conceive can improve your chances of having a healthy baby. Here are three important changes to consider making.
Take Folic Acid Daily
Taking this B vitamin before you get pregnant, and during the first months of pregnancy can help prevent serious birth defects of the brain and spine.
We recommend if you are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, you should take a multivitamin containing 400 micrograms of folic acid each day. You should also eat a healthy diet that includes foods rich in folic acid. Foods that contain folates (the natural forms of folic acid found in foods) include: orange juice, green leafy vegetables, beans, peanuts, and whole-grain products.
Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle
If you are planning a pregnancy you should stop smoking, drinking alcohol, and using illicit drugs. You should also exercise, reduce the stress in your life, avoid hazardous chemicals, and avoid raising you body temperature.
If you drink heavily you risk having a baby with fetal alcohol syndrome, a pattern of mental and physical defects. Because of this risk it is best to completely avoid alcohol prior to conceiving and throughout your pregnancy.
Smoking is the most common preventable cause of problems in pregnancy. It doubles the risk of an ectopic pregnancy, your baby being very small at birth, and your baby being born prematurely. Stopping is the one single most important thing you, as a mother, can do for your baby. What would you do to someone who gave a cigarette to your one-year-old child? Apply that thought to yourself during pregnancy.
While you are trying to conceive, and during your first trimester, you should avoid sitting in a hot tub, sauna, or Jacuzzi. Exposing yourself to temperatures of over 105 degrees for more than 15 minutes can lead to birth defects in your baby's brain and spine.
If you work with hazardous chemicals or solvents, minimize your exposure by making sure your workplace is well ventilated and by wearing the right protective equipment.
Now is a good time to begin to exercise. It will help you maintain a healthy weight, and reduce stress. It will also help ease many of the common discomforts of pregnancy such as constipation, backaches, fatigue, and varicose veins. Some studies suggest too much stress might increase the risk of miscarriage or your baby being born too early or too small. Exercise is known to help reduce stress.
See Your Doctor for a Pre-pregnancy Checkup
A pre-pregnancy visit with your doctor can help prevent many pregnancy risks and improve the chances of your baby being born healthy. It is especially important to have one if you have had problems with past pregnancies, and crucial if you have chronic health problems such as diabetes.
During the checkup tests will be made for infections, sexually transmitted diseases, or other health hazards.
Blood tests can also be done to measure your immunity to infections such as Rubella (German measles), Hepatitis B, and vaginal and urinary tract infection that may increase your risk of going into labor too early.
You will also want to discuss the possibilities of genetic diseases. The family history of you and your partner will help your doctor identify any genetic diseases that may affect your pregnancy. Some of these diseases include:
- Tay-Sachs disease - Can cause fatal brain damage. Primarily affects those of Eastern European Jewish ancestry.
- Sickle-cell disease - A blood disorder that mainly effects African-Americans.
- Thalassemia - A blood disorder primarily affecting those with Mediterranean, African, or Southern Asian ancestry.
Age-related chromosomal defects such as Down syndrome should also be discussed if you are 35 or older.
If you have certain chronic conditions, expert care before you get pregnant can help reduce risks for both you and your baby.
- Diabetes - It is vital to control your own blood sugar very well before you become pregnant. If you do not gain control, there is a much higher chance of your baby having a serious birth defect. You also have a higher risk of miscarriage or a stillbirth.
- High blood pressure - Your doctor will need to know how severe your high blood pressure is before you become pregnant in order to plan the best treatment during your pregnancy. Chronic high blood pressure can increase the risk of problems with the placenta and your baby's growth.
- Seizures - Some medications you may be using to control seizures increase the risk of birth defects. You should not stop taking the medication without talking to your doctor since seizures are also harmful to your unborn baby.
- Medication - You should be sure to talk your doctor about ALL medications you are taking, including over-the-counter, and herbal preparations.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only. It should not replace a visit with your health care professional. Call your doctor if you need more information or have additional questions.