Preconception Health

Being healthy before pregnancy might help increase your chances of becoming pregnant. It may also help you avoid pregnancy issues if you do get pregnant. Getting a preconception exam and discussing any health concerns that may impact your pregnancy are all part of good preconception health. It also involves taking folic acid to help protect birth abnormalities and adopting lifestyle changes that may impact your baby's health if you get pregnant.

If you want to become pregnant, start focussing on your health at least three months before you attempt. If you have any health issues that might interfere with your pregnancy, it may take longer to prepare your body for childbirth.

Why does preconception health matter?

Whether you plan to get pregnant, every woman should consider her health. One factor is that almost half of all pregnancies are unplanned. Unplanned pregnancies increase the risk of premature delivery and low birth weight kids. Another factor is that, despite significant advancements in medicine and prenatal care, around one in every eight infants is delivered prematurely. Researchers are attempting to figure out why and how to avoid premature birth. However, experts believe that women should be healthy before getting pregnant. By addressing health conditions and hazards before pregnancy, you may avoid complications that may impact you or your baby later.

What is a preconception checkup?

A preconception checkup is a medical exam you get before becoming pregnant. It helps your doctor in determining your overall health and readiness for pregnancy. The checkup helps your provider in treating and, in some cases, preventing health problems that may interfere with your pregnancy. For example, your provider checks to ensure that your vaccines are up to date and provides you with any necessary ones prior to pregnancy.

If possible, schedule a preconception visit with the healthcare professional who will care for you if you get pregnant. You may obtain a preconception checkup at any time. Get one even if you have previously had a child. Your health may have altered since your last pregnancy.

What is your family's health history, and why is it crucial before becoming pregnant?

Your family health history includes any health issues and treatments that you, your spouse, and everyone in your family have had. It's a good idea to start gathering your family history before you become pregnant so you can discuss it with your doctor at your visit.

Your family's medical history may help your provider:

• Determine whatever health issues run in your or your partner's family or ethnic group. An ethnic group is a collection of people, frequently from the same nation, who share the same language or culture. Certain genetic diseases, such as sickle cell disease and Tay-Sachs disease, are more frequent in persons of certain ethnicities.
• Determine the cause of a problem you had during a previous pregnancy. Your doctor may perform procedures such as blood tests or ultrasounds to determine the source of the disease. Getting therapy may reduce the likelihood of experiencing the same condition in your future pregnancy.
• Treat any health issues before becoming pregnant. Certain chronic (long-term) health disorders may cause pregnancy complications and, in rare cases, birth abnormalities. Prenatal therapy for illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, lupus, and PKU may enhance your chances of having a healthy pregnancy and infant.

Know about Folic Acid

Folic acid is a vitamin B that every cell in your body needs for proper growth and development. Taking it before and throughout early pregnancy may help prevent your baby against brain and spinal birth problems (also known as neural tube defects or NTDs). Birth defects are health issues that exist at birth. Birth defects affect the form or function of one or more bodily components. They may impair general health, development, and function.

To help prevent NTDs in your child, begin taking a vitamin supplement with 400 mcg of folic acid daily before you get pregnant. A supplement is a substance that you take to compensate for nutrients that your diet does not provide enough of. Begin taking 400 mcg of folic acid daily at least one month before pregnancy and for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Your folic acid supplement may be:

• A multivitamin: This is a pill that includes a variety of vitamins and other elements that promote overall wellness
• A prenatal vitamin: This is a multivitamin that contains nutrients required during pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins may be prescribed by your doctor, or they may be purchased over the market
• Other vitamins: A vitamin that includes just folic acid

Because almost half of all pregnancies are unplanned, you should take a daily vitamin supplement containing 400 mcg of folic acid, even if you are not attempting to conceive.

Enquire with your doctor about how much folic acid you may consume safely. Taking several multivitamins or prenatal vitamins is not recommended since you may get an excessive amount of other nutrients, which may be damaging to your health. Your provider may advise you on the most effective and safest approach to getting the recommended dose of folic acid. You are at high risk if:

• You've had a previous pregnancy with an NTD
• You or your spouse have an NTD
• Your spouse has a kid with NTD

Foods containing folic acid include fortified bread, morning cereal, pasta and goods manufactured from a kind of wheat known as corn masa, such as tortillas and tortilla chips. Check the product label to find out how much folic acid you receive per serving. Some fruits and vegetables are also rich in folic acid. When folic acid occurs naturally in food, it is referred to as folate. Foods high in folate include beans, leafy green vegetables, broccoli, and orange juice.

Does your weight before becoming pregnant affect your pregnancy?

Yes. If you are overweight (weigh too much) or underweight (weigh too little), you are more likely to have health issues during pregnancy. These difficulties include:

• Pre-term birth: This is a premature birth, occurring before 37 weeks of gestation. Those born prematurely may have greater health issues at birth and later in life than those born later.
• Birth defects: These are health issues that exist at birth. They alter the form or function of one or more bodily components. Birth defects may have an impact on general health, development, and function of the body.
• Diabetes: Diabetes occurs when your blood has an abnormally high level of sugar (also known as blood sugar or glucose). High blood sugar levels may harm your body's organs, including blood vessels, nerves, eyes, and kidneys. Diabetes might create complications during pregnancy.
• High blood pressure (hypertension): High blood pressure occurs when the force of blood on the walls of your blood vessels is very high. High blood pressure might create complications during pregnancy.

Consult your physician about the appropriate weight for you. Your provider may assess your body mass index (BMI). BMI is a measurement of body fat based on height and weight. It might help you determine if you need to gain or lose weight. Your pre-pregnancy BMI helps your physician determine how much weight you should acquire throughout pregnancy.

How much physical exercise do you require every day?

Experts suggest individuals engage in 2 1⁄2 hours of moderate-intensity exercise each week, such as quick walking, and strength-training twice a week. These suggestions vary according to the intensity of your exercises. You don't have to finish all 2½ hours at once. Do a little amount each day to spread it out across the week.

If you are currently physically active, keep it up! If you're beginning or restarting your fitness routine, do it carefully. Consult your physician before beginning any physical exercise if:

• You have or are at risk of heart disease
• You've had a stroke or are in danger of getting one
• You have diabetes or are at risk of developing diabetes
• You are fat. Obesity is defined as having an excess of body fat and a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. It might help you determine if you need to gain or lose weight
• You've undergone surgery, or you're injured or disabled
• You have undergone eye surgery or laser therapy, or your retina is bleeding or detached. The retina is a nerve tissue that lines the back of the eyeball

Physical exercise may help lower your chance of developing certain health disorders that can cause difficulties for both you and your baby during pregnancy, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. It may also help you reduce stress, sleep better, and stop smoking.

What can you do before you get pregnant to ensure a good pregnancy?

Here is what you can do:

• Do not smoke, use alcohol, or use street drugs: All of these factors might make it difficult for you to get pregnant. They're also dangerous to your kid if you get pregnant. Tell your physician if you need assistance quitting. Also, avoid secondhand smoking. This is smoke from another person's cigarette, cigar, or pipe.

• Follow your doctor's instructions while using prescription medicines: Do not misuse prescribed medications. A prescription medicine is one that your doctor has prescribed for you to address a specific medical problem. To get the medicine, you will need a prescription (an order from your physician). When taking any medication, do not exceed the amount prescribed by your doctor, do not combine it with alcohol or other substances, and do not take anyone else's prescription medication. Make sure any clinician who provides you medication is aware that you are trying to conceive.

• Protect yourself from viruses and illnesses that might disrupt your pregnancy: These include toxoplasmosis and lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV). Toxoplasmosis is an illness that may be acquired by eating undercooked meat or handling cat litter. You may get LCMV when caring for rodents including hamsters, mice, and guinea pigs. If you have these types of pets or a cat, ask someone to look after them and clean the litter box for you. Also, make sure any meat you consume is well cooked.

• Avoid using dangerous chemicals at home or at work: Ask your provider whether the chemicals you use may influence your chances of becoming pregnant or the health of your baby if you get pregnant. Some substances may cause birth abnormalities in your kid. If you work with chemicals, speak to your manager about modifying your job responsibilities before and during pregnancy.

• Reduce your stress: High levels of stress may lead to complications during pregnancy, so learn techniques to manage stress before becoming pregnant. Being active, eating healthily, and getting enough sleep might help you cope with stress. If you are really anxious, notify your physician. He can help you locate a counsellor to help you manage and minimise your stress.

Consult your doctor before you get pregnant

Preconception care may increase your chances of becoming pregnant, having a good pregnancy, and raising a healthy child. If you are sexually active, speak to your doctor about your preconception health right away. Preconception care should start at least three months before you get pregnant. But other women require extra time to prepare their bodies for pregnancy. Make sure to also address your partner's health. Consult your doctor about:

• Family planning and contraception
• Taking Folic acid
• Vaccines and tests that you may need, such as a Pap test and sexually transmitted diseases (STIs), including HIV
• Managing health issues such as diabetes, hypertension, thyroid illness, obesity, depression, eating disorders, and asthma. Learn how pregnancy may influence or be affected by any health issues you may have
• Medicines you take, including over-the-counter, herbal, and prescription medications and supplements
• Ways to enhance your general health include losing weight, eating healthily, exercising, taking care of your teeth and gums, managing stress, stopping smoking, and avoiding alcohol
• How to prevent disease
• Hazards in the job or at home that might endanger you or your kid
• Health issues run in your or your partner's family
• Problems with previous pregnancies, especially premature birth
• Domestic abuse or a lack of support are examples of family difficulties that may have an impact on your health

Your partner's involvement in pregnancy preparation:

Your spouse can provide valuable support and encouragement during the pregnancy preparation process. Here are a few options:

• Make a choice on pregnancy jointly. When both couples aim to get pregnant, a woman is more likely to seek early prenatal care and avoid dangerous behaviours like smoking and drinking alcohol.
• Screening and treating sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may help ensure that illnesses do not spread to female partners.
• Male partners may enhance their reproductive and general health by limiting alcohol use, eliminating smoking or illicit drug use, eating a healthy diet, and managing stress. Men who drink heavily, smoke, or use drugs are more likely to have sperm issues, according to studies. These may cause you to have difficulty becoming pregnant. If your boyfriend refuses to stop smoking, urge him not to smoke around you to prevent the hazardous effects of secondhand smoke.
• Your spouse should also speak with his doctor about his own health, his family's health history, and any medications he takes.
• Those who deal with chemicals or other poisons should take care not to expose women to them. For example, individuals who deal with fertilisers or pesticides should change out of their unclean clothing before approaching ladies. They should handle and wash dirty clothing separately.

Prioritising preconception health is an important step towards ensuring a healthy pregnancy and a good future for both parents and children. By prioritising physical and mental health, as well as adopting educated lifestyle choices, you can create the greatest possible environment for conception and development. Remember that the path to parenting starts long before conception; adopting proactive steps now may lead to healthier tomorrows. If you're thinking about establishing a family, consult with a healthcare physician about your preconception health plan so that you may make educated choices throughout the process. Your future family will appreciate you!


FAQs on Preconception Health

1. Which age is ideal for pregnancy?
   Your fertility naturally diminishes as you age, which may make it more difficult for you to conceive. Starting a baby later in life may increase the chance of pregnancy difficulties. According to experts, the optimal time to get pregnant is in your late 20s or early 30s.
2. How can I maintain a healthy preconception?
   
   • Plan your pregnancy
   • Take folic acid supplements
   • Stop smoking
   • Stop consuming alcohol
   • Maintain a healthy weight
   • Know what medications you can take
   • Vaccines and illnesses
   • Consult a doctor if you have a long-term ailment
   • Testing for sickle cell and thalassaemia