Medical Health Care Your Pre-Pregnancy

Share To Medical Health Care Your Pre-Pregnancy
It’s a good idea to make a preconception appointment with your doctor, nurse, midwife or other medical health care provider. Be ready to talk about the following subjects.

1.   Birth control. If you have been taking birth control pills, your health care provider may want you switch to another birth control method for the first month or two after you stop taking them. That’s because it often takes several months for your menstrual periods to return to regular pattern. Until this happens, it’s more difficult to pinpoint when ovulation occurs or to estimate your due date.

2.   Immunities. The earlier you determine if you are immune to infections that can cause serious birth defects in babies, the better. If you aren’t immune to infectious diseases such as chickenpox (varicella) and German measles (rubella) your health care provider may recommend that you be vaccinated at least one month before you try to become pregnant.

3.   Current and past health issues. If you have an ongoing medical condition such as diabetes, asthma or high blood pressure (hypertension), you will want to make sure it’s under control. Even if you have had no problem maintain your health for some time, chronic conditions may require special care during pregnancy. That’s because a growing baby can put new demands put your body.

4.   Family history. Tell your health care provider if your partner’s family medical history puts you at greater risk of having a child with a birth defect.



5.   Medications. Your health care provider may recommend stopping certain prescription medications are changing doses before you become pregnant. Make sure he or she is aware of any nonprescription medication you take regularly. That includes herbal products such as kava, valerian and ginkgo. If you are not taking a multivitamin, you will want to begin taking one. Make sure it includes folic acid, which is vitamin B that can help prevent serious birth defect in early pregnancy.

6.   Age. If you are over 35, you are at increased risk of fertility problem, miscarriage and pregnancy related problems such as high blood pressure and gestational diabetes. You may want to discuss these increased risks with your health care provider and develop plan for avoiding complication.

7.   Pregnancy difficulties. If you have had previous miscarriages or trouble becoming pregnant, talk to health care provider about it. He or she may be able to determine possible causes that might be corrected. At the very least, the two of you can discuss your concern and fear about conception.

8.   Lifestyle. If you smoke, drink, eat a poor diet or don’t have a regular exercise program, now is the perfect time to drop bad habits and adopt a healthier lifestyle. If you smoke and want to quit, your health care provider can connect you with the health care provider help you to stop smoking. He or she can also give you advice on improving your eating habits, starting an exercise program and reducing stress.

9.   Your partner. If possible, have your partner attend the preconception visit with you. He can answer question about his family medical conditions and risk factor for infections birth defect. Your partner’s health and lifestyle are important because they can affect yours.