Wanting a baby? Here is your preconception planning guide…

Wanting a baby is the best way to have one…

Preconception planning does not always happen; it is not a secret that many couples get a baby not because they had planned for it, but because some ‘accident’ happened. Yet pregnancy is a unique and intriguing experience that a woman will ever go through. A couple needs to think seriously about having a baby before finally deciding whether a baby would fit in their relationship or not. Wanting a baby is the best way to have one; are there any rules involved?

Discuss your health with your doctor

Before conceiving visit your doctor and discuss your diet, weight and exercise plan. Depending on the observations, a prenatal vitamin may be advisable for you. If you do take a multivitamin, make sure it does not contain more than the daily recommended allowance of vitamin A. unless it is all in a form called beta-carotene. Getting too much of a certain kind of vitamin A can cause birth defects. If you are unsure about what to take, ask your healthcare provider to recommend a supplement for you.

Ensure that you have been immunized against all immunisable diseases. Do not be surprised if your doctor recommends a pelvic exam and a pap smear. Finally, do not take any medicines without your doctor’s approval. Some drugs are stored in your body’s fat and can linger there for months and later affect your pregnancy, while some medications are known to cause fetal abnormalities.

Time your ovulation as part of your preconception planning

Knowing when you ovulate will help you schedule intercourse appropriately so that it coincides with your ovulation. This helps Increase the chances of the sperm meeting the egg. Stop using any birth control when you think you are ready. To be more precise, you can start charting your basal body temperature or BBT and the changes in your cervical mucus, to help you figure out when you are ovulating during each cycle. A more accurate temperature reading is best taken first thing in the morning before getting out of bed. At around the time of ovulation, slight temperature changes are notable.

Check on infections as you plan to have a pregnancy

During your pre-pregnancy or first prenatal visit, you will most likely be screened for sexually transmitted infections (‘STI’). If left untreated, STIs can cause congenital deformities and affect the development of your child after birth. If you are diagnosed with HIV, get into a counseling programme immediately. Learn about other infections related to food and hygiene. Raw or undercooked meat, fish or poultry may contain some microorganisms that could affect your fetus.

Always wash your hands with soap and water before handling food and thoroughly wash the surfaces that have come into contact with raw meats.

Check your dental health

Mounting evidence suggests that periodontal disease (bacterial infection that affects the gums and bones supporting the teeth) can lead to premature labour and low birth weight in babies. The hormonal shifts during pregnancy also make you more susceptible to gum disease. You should visit your dentist now if you have not done so in the last six months.

Medical screening for genetic disorders is important in preconception planning

Some diseases tend to run in families. During your first prenatal visit you will be asked a series of questions. This will help to determine whether further specific prenatal tests or genetic testing is advisable. Your doctor will ask you certain questions concerning your personal and family medical history, your present health and any medications you are taking. Cooperate as much as possible in this exercise, as it is an important one.

Exercise and relax

If you have not been exercising, you need to start on a programme immediately so that by the time you get pregnant, your body will be ready to support your pregnancy. The exercise programme should be regular and as much as possible taken in an airy and relaxed environment. When stress builds up in your body, it can cause temporary infertility. Working up a little sweat is a great way to relieve the stress that can prevent conception. Stress is also a known cause of miscarriage during pregnancy. It can also lead to pre-term labour.

If you have not been exercising, start with something tame like walking 10 to 20 minutes a day. Or add more activity into your daily routine by taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking your car a few blocks away from where you are going, or walking to some places if they are near enough instead of driving. Swimming is a winner for both relaxation and exercise.

Stop smoking or abusing drugs

If you currently smoke or abuse drugs, you better stop. Some drugs stay in your system after their obvious effects have worn off. Smoking and taking drugs can lead to miscarriage, a premature birth and a low birth weight baby. Smoking can also affect your fertility and lower your partner’s sperm formation, sperm count and sperm mobility to the uterus. Second hand (passive smoking) smoke may affect your chances of getting pregnant. Therefore, the choice to stop smoking should apply to both you and your partner if you desire to have a healthy baby.

Check your weight before conception

You need to know your body mass index (BMI) before you get pregnant and to observe it during pregnancy. The formula for getting your BMI is as follows:

Weight in kilograms OVER height in meters x height in meters

If you already have a healthy (referred to as ‘normal’) weight level (BMI = 20 to 25), you’ll likely have an easier time conceiving. If you get a value that is less than 20, you are underweight. A value above 30 indicates that you are obese. Values between 26 and 30 indicate that you are overweight. Studies show that women whose BMI is below 20 or above 30 have a harder time getting pregnant, so it’s a good idea to try to get yourself into the 20 to 25 range before you conceive. If you are pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to achieve your weight goals without hurting your baby. Obese women have an increased risk of developing complications such as diabetes and hypertension in pregnancy, placing both mother and baby at risk.It is advisable to continue with birth control until you achieve the right BMI.

Stop alcohol consumption

It is advisable that you avoid alcohol during pregnancy and definitely keep away from it during the last two weeks of your menstrual cycle, in case you conceive at that time. Alcohol is a known cause of fetal abnormalities and classically causes the fetal alcohol syndrome. The levels of alcohol that cause damage have not yet been established so it is better you abstain completely from alcohol.

Check on your caffeine intake

Too much caffeine can reduce your ability to absorb iron (which you will need in plenty during pregnancy) and increase your risk fora still birth. Reduce the amount of coffee, tea, and colas that you take. If you are already addicted to caffeine, you may want to start by switching to half caffeinated drinks. This is because sudden withdrawal may cause headaches. Once you have adjusted to life with little or no caffeine, you may find steamed milk a nice coffee substitute and the calcium will do your body good.

Boost your nutrition

Your body needs to be physically prepared to support your pregnancy. You need to eat a balanced diet daily so that your body does not suffer malnutrition before pregnancy. Severe malnutrition may lead to lack of ovulation, thus temporary infertility which will make conception difficult.

The nutrients that you store up are essential and will help support your pregnancy. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables for vitamins, take a high-fibre diet, get your energy from carbohydrates that are high in starch rather than sugary ones. Sugary foods will predispose you to tooth decay and obesity.

Take more folic acid

You need extra quantities of folic acid before you get pregnant and during your first trimester. Boosting up your folic acid levels cuts your chances of having a baby with neural tube defects by up to 70%. Neural tube defects are developmental abnormalities that involve the nervous system (spinal cord and brain). The commonest is spina bifida, which refers to defects of varying degree in the spinal cord. You need to get some of the folic acid from your diet. The foods rich in folic acid are soya beans, green beans, asparagus, green leafy vegetables, dark yellow fruits, peas and nuts. However even when you do eat a balanced diet, it may sometimes be difficult to get all the nutrients you need from food alone, hence the need to take a supplement. Talk to your doctor about folic acid tablets and sources.

Pollutants in the environment

Some industrial pollutants can cause infertility in men and women. These pollutants may also cause menstrual disorders, spontaneous abortion, fetal abnormalities and cancer in children. Find out whether the chemicals or processes that you work with are known to be hazardous. If they are, avoid exposure to them.

Think of your finances as you plan to conceive

It may be at least nine months before you have to think about a hospital bill, but you should consider the cost of having a baby now and start saving. As part of your preconception planning, you and your partner should estimate up-front the amount of money that you will need during and immediately after pregnancy, including some allowance for emergencies. Moreover, nine months is not as long as it seems and you might get caught up with no shopping for your little one!

END: PG 1/4-6