Pre-conception planning increases the chances of a healthy pregnancy

INSTEAD of just leaving it to chance, more women are moving into the direction of pre-conception planning. This, according to obstetrician gynaecologist Dr Robyn Khemlani, not only increases the chances of a healthy pregnancy with positive outcomes, but it also gives the woman (and her partner) greater control of her physical, emotional and financial affairs.

“When a woman plans her pregnancy she is in a much better position to deal with the many changes associated with pregnancy. She will have a better idea of what to expect and so the chances of her being caught off guard by anything pregnancy-related are reduced. In addition to this she [and her partner] are able to prepare an environment that is suitable for the proper growth and development of the child,” Dr Khemlani explained.

So what should a couple who wants to get pregnant do before getting down to business? Dr Khemlani shares a list of things you should consider doing:

Take folic acid in advance

Start taking folic acid three months before your planned pregnancy. Dr Khemlani said that this will protect your child from birth defects and in particular neural tube defects which affect the brain and spinal cord such as spina bifida that occurs when the foetus’s spine and back do not close during development.

You may also start taking prenatal vitamins

Pre-natal vitamins are supplements that contain essential vitamins and minerals such as folic acid.

Confirm that you are fully immunised

“Ensure your immunisations are up-to-date because there are certain vaccines you cannot get in pregnancy,” Dr Khemlani said. She notes that the list of vaccines that are prohibited for pregnant women includes the German measles (rubella) and chickenpox (varicella) vaccines and both of these infections can be harmful to the unborn child.

Get a full body check-up

“Do a check-up before to identify factors that could affect your pregnancy so that they can be addressed before pregnancy, such as diabetes or hypertension,” Dr Khemlani advised. She explained that having knowledge of pre-existing conditions and taking adequate measures to manage them even before conception will increase the chances of you having not just a healthy pregnancy, but a healthy baby as well. She underscored that women with chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure, thyroid disease, diabetes, epilepsy, heart disease or lupus will need to have them carefully managed before, during and sometimes even after pregnancy.

Stop certain lifestyle practices

Whatever you eat, drink or consume otherwise not only affects you but your foetus as well. This is why Dr Khemlani said that women planning to become pregnant should stop harmful lifestyle practices such as smoking, drinking alcohol and using herbal drugs or certain over-the-counter medications as these are harmful to the foetus.

Work towards a healthy weight

Getting to a healthy weight is one of the best gifts that you could give to your pregnant self, Dr Khemlani advised. “Being overweight or obese before pregnancy increases your risk of conditions like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. Obesity in pregnancy is also the leading risk factor of adverse outcomes, including loss of the pregnancy and other neonatal complications,” she explained.

Become committed to healthy eating

It is never too late to develop healthy food habits. Women tend to fall victim to the statement, “you must eat for two”, and eat not only excessively, but also unhealthily which can pack on too many pounds. “Excess weight gain in pregnancy increases risks for the mother and makes it more difficult to lose the baby weight, and increases the risk for your baby to become overweight or obese,” Dr Khemlani said.

So start making nutritious food choices now so your body will be stocked up with the nutrients you need for a healthy pregnancy by eating a variety of protein sources such as beans, nuts, seeds, soy products, poultry and meats.

Begin a healthy exercise regimen

“Getting in the habit of exercising regularly will get your pregnancy off to a good start. Even if you do not exercise before pregnancy, experts now recommend 150 minutes per week for all pregnant women who have been cleared for physical activity by their doctors,” Dr Khemlani shared. This, she said, will help prepare the woman’s body for labour and childbirth.

Consider meeting with a psychologist (if necessary)

Your emotional health is very important; you don’t have to be crazy to see a psychologist. Pregnancy can be an emotional rollercoaster and you will need all the support that you can get. If you have a history of conditions such as anxiety and depression, the conditions can be exacerbated in pregnancy. A psychologist can help you to deal with your emotions in a healthy way. For example, he/she may teach you breathing techniques and other calming techniques to help you instead of prescribing medication. Also, in the event that you were on medication, he or she may revise the dosage or change the medication altogether. You want to be in your best physical and mental health when your baby arrives.

Visit your dentist and other professionals

During pregnancy, periodontal disease is linked to pre-term and underweight babies so make sure you’re up to date with your dental exams.

Other things that you should consider are the age of you and your spouse — the chances of the chromosomal disorder are more common among older parents — and as such you may want to consider genetic counselling. You should also consider, whether you may be at risk for certain sexually transmitted diseases since these can not only affect the health of your pregnancy, but some of these can have adverse effects on the foetus as well. You should also want to get your finances in order, especially if you don’t have insurance. You may want to start budgeting how you will go about financially caring for the new member of your family.