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Planning for a Healthy Pregnancy
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If you are ready to have a baby, a preconception consultation can maximize your chances of having a healthy newborn. It's reassuring to know that only a small percentage of babies are born with serious health problems. However, couples who do advance planning before conception can increase their confidence that the outcome will be healthy and happy.
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Arrange a preconception consultation
Couples can take steps before they conceive to improve the chances of a problem-free pregnancy and a healthy baby. It's a good idea for couples to arrange a consultation with a physician at least three months before trying to conceive. This is important even for women who get regular Pap tests and breast exams.
What does this consultation involve?
A preconception consultation involves a complete medical history and physical exam, as well as a review of family history, any previous pregnancy experiences, and current medications. In addition, the physician identifies risks and factors that could affect the couple's ability to conceive or have a healthy baby. The transition from birth control is also reviewed. It usually takes from 6 to 12 months for a couple in good reproductive health to conceive.
"While not all problems are preventable, chances of a healthy birth are greater if both mother and father are healthy before the pregnancy begins," explains Kimberley Fillmore, M.D., OB/GYN on staff at John Muir Health.
Identifying key risks
"It's important to discuss medical disorders, past obstetrical history and even the medications you are taking," says Ryan Anderson, M.D., OB/GYN on staff at John Muir Health. "Couples with a family history of genetic disorders such as muscular dystrophy or spinal bifida can receive genetic counseling to understand their chances of passing on the condition to their offspring."
Screening for sickle cell anemia and Tay-Sachs disease is appropriate with special ethnic groups. Pregnancies in women over 40 may be higher risk, but in general, women retain their ability to have healthy babies into their 40s.
Identifying risks, getting certain medical conditions under control, and making necessary lifestyle changes are best handled before conception. Women with chronic diseases such as diabetes or thyroid disease can often avoid developing problems in pregnancy through good preconception planning.
High blood pressure, involved in a number of dangerous pregnancy complications, should be treated before pregnancy. Similarly, a sexually transmitted disease (STD) can be ruled out or treated before conception. STDs may affect a woman's ability to conceive or harm the developing child. Some medications impair efforts to conceive, and others may cause birth defects.
Immunization and tests
It's vital to find out if all the mother's immunizations are up to date. Infection with measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis or toxoplasmosis during pregnancy poses a serious threat to the baby, as do vaccines to treat these conditions. Your physician may also order special blood tests to measure anemia, iron deficiency and Rh factor.
General health practices
If you observe the following healthy behaviors, you improve your chances of having a healthy baby:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Eat a balanced diet
- Take multivitamins containing folic acid before and after conception
- Get plenty of sleep
- Exercise at least 30 minutes four times a week
- Avoid cigarettes, alcohol and non-prescription drugs four months prior to conception and during pregnancy
- Avoid exposure to toxins or radiation at work
While trying to conceive, both partners should avoid cigarettes, alcohol and drugs, for maximum benefit to the baby.
A conscious decision
"For women today, having children is more of a conscious decision, whereas it was of a routine nature for women in the past," Dr. Fillmore emphasizes. "Preconception planning with a physician can be a valuable part of the process."
Dr. Anderson adds, "This is equally true for women who have already had children. New information is always surfacing. Even an experienced mother can benefit by having preconception counseling."
This article is part of a series of informational advertisements focusing on health brought to you by John Muir Health and the John Muir Physician Network.