Planning a family is a huge decision in any relationship. Whether you are married or not, if you are thinking about conceiving in the near future, you need to be wary of a couple of things so that you may not come across any struggles.
We connected with Dr Rijaphin R, Senior Consultant, obstetrician and gynaecologist, Chennai, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, to bring a comprehensive guide for newlyweds and couples who are planning to conceive in the next 6-12 months.
Meet A Gynaecologist When Planning To Conceive
Dr R said that if you are planning a baby in the near future, you should pay a visit to a gynaecologist for a counselling session. The expert will offer preconception care and answer any queries you have.
They will also guide you to understand planning and preparing yourself for a new phase of life, a healthy pregnancy, and a baby. In a few cases, the doctor might even prescribe preventive medicines to tackle any small health issue.
The doctor will also take individual, couple’s, and family history into account. They will try to understand if this will be your first pregnancy or god forbid you have suffered an adverse outcome in the past. The information will help the doctor guide you better and ensure that your pregnancy phase is smooth and hassle-free.
Modify Diet To Ensure A Healthy Pregnancy
The diet also plays a crucial role in planning pregnancy. Dr Rijaphin R said, “Nutritional intake can affect the lifestyle of the couple and impact the growth and development of the baby.”
Any expert would monitor the diet and make a few modifications if needed to ensure that your body is proactively prepared for a smooth pregnancy. They will also try to address any risk factors by adding nutritional food items to your diet and cutting unhealthy options.
Mitigate Pregnancy Risks Before Conceiving
When you approach a doctor for a quick consult, they will try to identify if there are any risks involved in your pregnancy. A few tests and an initial examination will allow the expert to mitigate maternal risk factors before you have even conceived.
Dr Rijaphin R added, “The two leading causes of death in the first year of life are birth defects and the consequences of preterm birth.” She said that both can be avoided by initiating a few preventive strategies.
Share A Detailed History With Doctor To Identify Risk Factors
As mentioned before, a couple’s history plays a crucial role in deciding the future of pregnancy. The doctor will take into account the body mass index to verify if the woman is over or underweight.
She said, “If the mother is underweight the risk of low birth weight or preterm babies and if she is obese the risk of diabetes or hypertension complicating pregnancy labour difficulties explained. So an appropriate diet is advised.”
She suggested ensuring enough reserve of vitamin B9 and folic acid in the body. The expert also said, “As it is essential for the closure of the neural tube of the baby, which eventually develops into the brain and spinal cord, therefore, 0.5 mg of folic acid is prescribed at least three months prior to planning. It goes a long way in preventing neural tube defects in the baby.”
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The expert will also look for vitamin D3 and magnesium deficiencies. These nutrients are essential for the musculoskeletal development of the baby. Magnesium is also associated with preventing preeclampsia in any pregnancy.
Dr Rijaphin R pointed out that anaemia is common among Indian women and a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Tests for haemoglobin, screening of infections like hepatitis, diabetes, and hypertension among other chronic diseases, and tests for sexually transmitted diseases can help a doctor identify if there is anything that can have an adverse effect on the future pregnancy.
Doctors also consider conducting a pap smear test to screen any traces of cervical cancer. In the pre-pregnancy period, the expert might advise a dose of rubella vaccine, which can defer the pregnancy by a couple of months.
Manage Pets And Cut Alcohol, Caffeine, And Smoking
The last step in the direction of conceiving is cutting down the consumption of alcohol and smoking (Effects Of Smoking On Women). You should also cut down the intake of caffeine or any illicit or recreational drugs.
The doctor said, “The couple should also be educated about the handling of the pets at home and how their excreta should be meticulously managed because of the risk of toxoplasmosis infection in pregnancy.”
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