Preconception Planning Guide for Women

Watching someone grow from an infant whose nose you had to wipe, to a grown man or woman who loves you unconditionally and looks up to you (in spite of towering over you!), someone you gave life to and carried inside your body for 9 whole months, is nothing short of experiencing a miracle every single day! It is the greatest gift bestowed upon women and is a reward in itself. But something of this magnitude, comes with tremendous responsibility and once you have made a decision to have a baby, there are going to be major changes in your lifestyle, which you have to take in your stride. There will be no holidays - it's a 24x7 responsibility!

Having a healthy baby is half of your problem solved, which is why you need to take care of yourself right from the time you decide to get pregnant, so that your baby comes into the world as healthy as possible. Read through the following article for a guide to preconception planning and to know the precautions during early pregnancy.

Main Concerns to be Addressed

Best Time to Have a Baby
Physically and Emotionally: You need to know whether you are physically ready to bear a child. Having children late, increases the complications associated with the health of the mother as well as the child and also increases chances of miscarrying. You also have to make sure that you are in a good and happy place emotionally, because having a child is equivalent to being on an emotional roller coaster all the time. If you have recently recovered from a serious illness, it is best to wait till you have recovered enough, physically and emotionally, before going ahead with a pregnancy.

Financially: Having a baby is really expensive, and these are expenses that you cannot cut down on. There are hospital stays to take care of, the child's medical insurance, educational expenses, etc., to name a few. It wouldn't make sense to lovingly get a baby into the world without making sure that you can provide well for him/her as long as he is financially dependent on you. Make sure your finances are in place when you make this decision, so that every time you have to spend on your baby, you won't end up second guessing your decision.

Diet and Other Habits
Once you have decided to have a baby, it's time to get rid of all your unnecessary and unhealthy habits ASAP. If you've been taking any contraceptives, its best to wait for a couple of months after discontinuing the pill, before trying to conceive. This will let the effects of the contraceptives wear off. Once you are pregnant, increase the amount of iron, calcium and important prenatal vitamins in your diet, take folic acid supplements, avoid consuming under-cooked foods, visit your obstetrician regularly to keep a check on your and your baby's health. If you are a regular smoker and alcohol consumer, it is advisable to quit as soon as possible if you are planning to get pregnant. It is harmful for the baby, specially during the first few weeks after conception. Stop taking over the counter pills without informing your obstetrician. Get in the pink of health to give your baby an advantage.

Choosing a Obstetrician
One of the most important things on your checklist should be looking for a good, caring and patient obstetrician who will help you throughout your pregnancy. You need to check his/her qualifications and make sure he's competent enough to handle emergencies. An obstetrician who is curt or impatient or even one who tends to dismiss your concerns without giving you a satisfactory explanation is a no-no. This is specially for first time moms, who will obviously be overwhelmed with their pregnancy and will need a lot of questions answered patiently. More importantly, you have to be comfortable with the obstetrician you choose, because he will be there with you throughout the delivery and the long months before it.

Medical History
A pregnancy can be termed high risk if you are suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes, or carrying more than one child, e.g., twins or triplets. Your obstetrician needs to know your complete medical history to know what kind of risks the fetus is prone to, in order to take the necessary precautions. The obstetrician should be informed about any hereditary or sexually transmitted diseases, previous pregnancies, abortions, or other medical conditions that you have gone through in the past. There will be blood tests to take to make sure there are no genetic defects (if any), vaccinations to take and health issues to be addressed. Work in co ordination with your obstetrician to ensure that your pregnancy proceeds without unnecessary hiccups.

Living and Working Environment
Physical Environment: The environment in which you stay is important for your health. If you have pets, make sure the house is kept free of their hair and other litter, lest you develop allergies. If you are surrounded by chemicals, pesticides, paint fumes, or other toxins, make sure you are properly isolated from these things during your pregnancy, as they can severely affect your health.

Emotional Environment: Your general mood during pregnancy affects the fetus! Make sure you try to keep yourself as happy and content as you can. Avoid high stress situations, specially in jobs, which may cause you emotional distress, leaving you unhappy and emotionally and physically drained. Read positive books, watch feel good movies, share quality time with your spouse/partner to put yourself in the right frame of mind.

These dos and don'ts of pregnancy, once taken care of, will make sure your pregnancy proceeds smoothly, so that you can enjoy all the delights of pregnancy without worrying. You can indulge in those midnight cravings for ice creams without any guilt, as for once, no one is going to ask you to watch your weight. Instead you will be indulged and pampered! Go ahead and enjoy this special time - after all it's not going to happen very often!