02/08/2021
SEVEN (7) most important things to do BEFORE getting pregnant!!!
Lots of women have failed to realize that a key component in Carrying a healthy Pregnancy and Birthing a Healthy Child is intrinsic in the amount of care, plan, and preparation BEFORE Pregnancy sets in!!!
Preconception health and health care focus on things you can do before and between pregnancies to increase the chances of having a healthy baby.
For some women, getting their body ready for pregnancy takes a few months, For other women, it might take longer.
Preconception care is primarily concerned with knowing the health conditions and risk factors that could affect you or your unborn baby if you become pregnant.
For example, some foods, habits, and medicines can harm your baby — even BEFORE THE BABY IS CONCEIVED.
Below are the most important things every woman should do before ANY pregnancy.
1. TAKE 400 MICROGRAMS OF FOLIC ACID EVERY DAY
Folic acid is a B vitamin. If a woman has enough folic acid in her body at least 1 month before and during pregnancy, it can help prevent major birth defects of the baby’s brain and spine.
Take 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid every day for at least 3 months before getting pregnant to lower your risk of some birth defects of the brain and spine.
You can get folic acid from some foods. But it's hard to get all the folic acid you need from foods alone. Taking a vitamin with folic acid is the best and easiest way to be sure you're getting enough.
2. STOP DRINKING ALCOHOL, SMOKING, AND USING CERTAIN DRUGS
The following effects can occur in pregnancy if intake of alcohol, smoking, and use of non-pregnancy friendly drugs, is not quitted long enough before pregnancy
*premature birth
*birth defects (most common)
*infant death
3.MAKE A PLAN AND TAKE ACTION
Whether or not you’ve written them down, you’ve probably thought about your goals for having or not having children, and how to achieve those goals. For example, know when to quit your birth control plan, prepare your body and achieve your new goal of birthing a healthy baby while in an optimum health condition.
4.SEE YOUR DOCTOR
Before getting pregnant, talk to your doctor about preconception health care. Your doctor will want to discuss your HEALTH HISTORY and any medical conditions you currently have that could affect a pregnancy.
He or she also will discuss any previous PREGNANCY PROBLEMS, medicines that you currently are taking, VACCINATIONS that you might need, and steps you can take before pregnancy to PREVENT certain birth defects.
5. REACH AND MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT
People who are overweight or obese have a higher risk for many serious conditions, including complications during pregnancy, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.
Underweight people are also at risk for serious health problems.
The key to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight isn’t about short-term dietary changes. It’s about a lifestyle that includes healthy eating and regular physical activity.
6. AVOID TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS
Avoid harmful chemicals, environmental contaminants, and other toxic substances such as synthetic chemicals, metals, fertilizer, bug spray, and cat or rodent f***s around the home and in the workplace.
These substances can hurt the reproductive systems of men and women. They can make it more difficult to get pregnant.
7. LEARN YOUR FAMILY HISTORY
Collecting your family’s health history can be important for your child’s health. You might not realize that your sister’s heart defect or your cousin’s sickle cell disease could affect your child, but sharing this family history information with your doctor can be important.
Other reasons people go for genetic counseling include having had several miscarriages, infant deaths, trouble getting pregnant (infertility), or a genetic condition or birth defect that occurred during a previous pregnancy.
References:
for Disease Control And Prevention (CDC).
on Wonen's Health.
