Preconception Tips

Healthcare practitioners recommend care from the time you start trying to have a baby. Preconception care comprises measures taken before a woman gets pregnant, and includes health care, education and counseling. It deals with several different aspects, from trying to reduce/eliminate problems that might affect mother and/or baby later, to minimizing the risk of birth defects and also covering good nutrition and physical activity. The following are some good preconception tips to follow.

Tips for Preconception

Folic Acid: One of the most widely stated tips for preconception is to take a dose of 400 micrograms of folic acid daily for at least 3 months. This recommendation that comes from the U.S. Public Health Service, is in order to reduce the risk of birth defects in the fetus.

Immunizations: Certain immunizations are essential to safeguard a developing fetus against some deadly disease. Commonly taken vaccinations are to protect against chickenpox and rubella.

Overall Good health: It is very important for women to be in the pink of health before and after conception. Aspects that need to be taken into consideration are maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly and minimizing stress. A healthy diet means one that comprises fresh fruits, green vegetables and plenty of water. Try to increase your intake of Omega 3. Apart from this, it is also important for a woman trying to get pregnant to have a healthy weight, as being overweight or underweight can affect normal ovulation.

Quit Smoking and Drinking Alcohol: A strong admonition for those trying to conceive is to quit smoking and drinking. Not only is smoking harmful to the ovaries, it increases the likelihood of low birth rate as well as premature birth. Women who smoke have about a 40% chance of having a successful pregnancy, as compared to non-smokers. Smoking in women is associated with a placental abruption (separation of a normally sighted placenta from its attachment in the womb) and an increased risk of placenta previa (low lying placenta). Also, studies are constantly uncovering evidence that confirms that alcohol consumption during pregnancy causes harm to the fetus. It causes increased rate of miscarriage, growth retardation, prematurity, and developmental delay, and 'Fetal Alcohol Syndrome'.

Complete Health Assessment: A woman seeking to conceive must undergo a complete medical screening so that any medical condition such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, PKU, hypertension, blood diseases and eating disorders should be detected and treated BEFORE conception. At this time, a woman's complete medical history must be reviewed, including family medical history and risk factors for infections or birth defects. The doctor must also be informed if she is taking any over-the-counter or prescription medicines (including vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements). Good dental health is also very important.

Among the other measures that need to be taken, avoiding caffeine is a very important one. Present in coffee, tea, coca-cola, chocolate, etc., it is linked to fetal growth restriction, miscarriage and low birth rates. However, be aware that occasionally, decaffeinated coffee could aggravate the immune system more than the caffeinated variety. Needless to say, recreational/antidepressant drugs of any kind, must not be consumed. Try to ensure that you are not exposed to toxic or infection carrying substances of any kind, such as chemicals, or cat and rodent feces. In the preconception period, take care not to get exposed to any sexually transmitted diseases, as they increase the risk of infertility and ectopic pregnancy. After stopping birth control pills, it is advisable to go through several normal cycles before trying to conceive. While these are a few preconception tips, it is very important to visit a medical practitioner to stay informed of all the care that is required to be taken.