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With life so hectic, couples now have to plan for the right time to have a baby. How well this goes may depend on several factors. That’s why preconception planning is a good idea.
What is preconception planning? According the the Mayo Clinic, preconception planning is planning that helps you and your partner understand how to boost your chances of a healthy pregnancy. Basically, it’s finding out if your body is ready to handle pregnancy and, if not, what you need to get there. Of course, this will require the assistance of a good doctor. You will have questions and your doctor will want to consider your medical history - such as, are you taking birth control and, if so, what kind? Different types of birth control may take longer to disappear from your system than others. For example, with birth control pills, fertility may return after two weeks of being pill-free. But with contraceptive injections, it may take several months for fertility to return.
Vaccines, Medical Conditions and Supplements
Now let’s create a checklist. Vaccines will come first. Are all your vaccinations current – chicken pox, measles and Hepatitis B? All of these diseases can be very harmful to a developing baby. What about current chronic medical conditions? If you are a diabetic, this means making sure your sugar levels are normal. If you are hypertensive, this means getting your blood pressure under control. You can do this successfully with the assistance of your doctor.
Also, let your doctor know about any medications, herbs or supplements being taken at this time. Your doctor can make a decision as to what is safe or not. So while some medicines will be decreased or stopped all together, others will begin. Such is the case with prenatal vitamins, which is used to promote the healthy development of your child.
When Age Does Matter and Past History is Important
Age may be just a number in many scenarios, but if you are 35 or older, it is a well-known fact that certain problems are more prevalent at this time than before. It becomes very important to work along closely with your doctor to develop the best plan for you and your baby.
Additionally, it is necessary to make sure you or your partner is not at risk for a sexually transmitted disease (STD). STDs can cause complications such as ectopic pregnancies. If you have been pregnant before, let your doctor know. This is even more important if you have had any complications during a previous pregnancy.
Last on the checklist, make sure you are currently making healthy lifestyle choices. Eat a healthy diet, get regular exercise, lower your stress and don’t drink or smoke. Although most of this information has been directed to the soon-to-be-mother, it is just as important for the soon-to-be-father to either begin making better health choices or continue to do so for the sake of his child.
Source: Mayo Clinic
Dita Faulkner is a freelance writer that works tirelessly for at-risk families.
Add a Comment2 Comments
Very helpful information. Thank you.
Dita
October 21, 2010 - 2:03pmThis Comment
This is great article and very helpful especially for women who have not gone through the pre-conception process before. A number of my clients go a step further and use cycle beads for planning. There's also a new conception kit out from them that includes a really helpful fertility journal. It's useful for both the woman and her doctor.
October 21, 2010 - 10:28amEmily G.
This Comment