Paying close attention to your health before conception increases the chances of having a healthy baby. For some people who are serious about having a baby, preparing their bodies for pregnancy takes a few months. For others, it may take a little longer. Whether it’s your first or subsequent preparation, we recommend taking a few minutes of your time to read our tips on pregnancy planning.
Where to start the preparation?
One important stage of pregnancy planning is emotional preparation. This means that you and your partner should discuss whether you want to have a child and, if so, when. Have a conversation about the following questions:
- Why do you want to have a child?
- Is it your genuine desire, or is it society imposing it on you?
- Are both of you ready to become parents?
- How will your relationship with your partner change after the baby is born?
- How will the birth of a child affect your work or studies?
- Who will take parental leave?
- Are you prepared to care for a child who may have special needs?
- Is your couple financially ready for the arrival of a baby?
Keep in mind that there are no right or wrong answers. You and your partner may not agree on every answer, so it may take some time to figure everything out together. If you and your partner have a shared direction in terms of conceiving a child, then you can move on to implementing the following helpful tips for future moms and dads.
Preconception consultation
Even if you have already gone through this journey before, preconception testing is a sensible and thoughtful measure for yourself and your future child. The health conditions of both the mother and father can change over time. Your doctor will prescribe necessary tests and assess any risks that may affect the proper development of the fetus. It is recommended to have a preliminary consultation with a specialist about three months before you start trying to conceive.
So, let’s briefly go over how to plan a pregnancy correctly for future parents in collaboration with a doctor.
Patient’s individual and family medical history
Inform your doctor about any chronic illnesses that may affect pregnancy, such as epilepsy, diabetes, hypertension, anemia, allergies, and others. Before attempting to conceive, it is important to have these medical nuances under control. For example, planning a pregnancy with diabetes involves regulating blood glucose levels. You should also inform your doctor about any medications you are taking, past surgeries, genetic abnormalities in the family, and previous pregnancies, especially if there were complications or miscarriages.
Vaccination status
Vaccinations and pregnancy planning may seem incompatible to many. However, the risks of infection should be anticipated in advance. Your attending physician will review your individual vaccination record and check for immunity to rubella and varicella. Administering these vaccines during pregnancy is unsafe, and infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or congenital defects.
Medical examinations
The doctor is the best guide, and only they can advise a woman on preparing for pregnancy. The specialist will prescribe basic examinations, which may include:
- Blood and urine laboratory tests.
- Gynecological examination of the pelvic organs.
- Pap smear to screen for precancerous conditions of the vagina and cervix.
- General medical examination to assess weight, blood pressure, pulse rate, body temperature, and respiratory rate.
Furthermore, the doctor also pays attention to pregnancy planning for men. The medical examination for the future father includes:
- Testing for sexually transmitted infections.
- Semen analysis.
- Testing for TORCH infections.
- Prostate secretion analysis.
- Blood and urine laboratory tests.
- After obtaining all the necessary test results, the doctor will recommend the optimal timing for pregnancy planning.
Rh incompatibility: What is the danger?
Pregnancy planning with a negative Rh factor also has its nuances. The issue is that if a woman has a negative Rh blood factor and her partner is Rh positive, their future baby may be at risk of developing Rh incompatibility. In this case, the mother and the baby are in Rh conflict: the baby’s blood enters the mother’s bloodstream, and in response, the pregnant woman’s body starts producing antibodies against Rh-positive cells. This mechanism can lead to irreversible consequences. Therefore, the doctor must take this factor into account and, if necessary, prescribe Rh incompatibility immunoprophylaxis.
Important! Many couples, unaware of how to properly prepare their bodies for pregnancy, abruptly stop using contraception. This is extremely incorrect. If you are using hormonal contraceptives, consult with your doctor about when and how to stop using them correctly.
Dietary considerations for pregnancy planning
We have already prepared an article on the nutrition of expectant mothers. You can draw principles of a balanced diet from there. The main point to note is that, just like during pregnancy, excessive consumption of even beneficial foods is not a guarantee that you will get the necessary micronutrients. It can lead not only to weight gain but also to an excess of nutrients.
And of course, we would like to remind you of what not to do during pregnancy planning. Harmful habits are taboo: smoking, alcohol consumption, and drug use. The sooner you give up these detrimental factors, the faster your body will cleanse itself of toxins and increase the chances of giving birth to a healthy baby.
We have listed the basics of preparing the body for conceiving a child. Approach the birth of your baby responsibly, and we will strive to inform you about things that parents may sometimes overlook.
You may also be interested in other articles:
