Feeling ready
for a baby?
Before
trying to conceive, it’s important to make sure that your body is ready for a
baby too.
There are
some basics that can make your pregnancy go more smoothly for you and your
child. These include going to your annual doctor visit, undergoing some basic
lab work, taking the right supplements, evaluating any current medications and
managing chronic medical conditions.
I typically
recommend that before trying to get pregnant, women should schedule a
consultation with their OB/GYN for a physical and routine screening for
cervical cancer (pap smear). It’s important that before your body takes on the
challenge of pregnancy, you are cleared medically for any problems.
I also
recommend getting some basic lab work done prior to attempting pregnancy.
Depending on your specific medical history, your doctor will determine what lab
tests are necessary.
These lab
tests include:
1.
Blood Type: Obtaining this information can be important for pregnancy
management. If you have a negative blood type, you will need a special
medication during pregnancy or if you have a miscarriage to prevent antibodies
forming against the baby.
2.
Vitamin D Levels: We get most of our Vitamin D from the sun,
and depending on where you live, most people are deficient and need
supplementation (unless you drink a large amount of Vitamin D fortified milk).
Normal Vitamin D levels help with embryo implantation and decrease pregnancy
complications.
3.
Vaccinations: There are many viruses that can cause
devastating birth defects if you become infected during pregnancy. Some of
these viruses are unpreventable, but it’s a great idea to be checked for
available vaccinations. These include Varicella (Chicken Pox) and Rubella
(German Measles, part of the MMR vaccine).
About 5% of people will need a booster for these. If its flu season, get
a flu shot as pregnant women are susceptible to complications that arise from
influenza.
4.
Blood Count: We need to make sure you aren’t anemic prior
to getting pregnant because growing babies need a lot of blood to bring them
oxygen. You should choose a prenatal vitamin that contains iron, which is a
building block for any new blood that you need to make during pregnancy. Having
a normal blood count prior to becoming pregnant can reduce pregnancy
complications.
5.
Genetic Carrier Screening: The American College of Obstetrics and
Gynecology recommends that everyone should consider getting screened for Cystic
Fibrosis. This is a recessive genetic condition that is very common and easily
screened for with lab work. Depending on your family history and background,
your doctor may want to screen for other conditions as well.
Also, what
you’ve heard is true - it’s important to be on folic acid supplementation. Being on folic acid supplements at time of
conception decreases the risk of neural tube defects (spinal cord). The American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists recommends a minimum of 400 mcg of folic acid daily for all women
who might become pregnant. Almost all prenatal vitamins contain folic acid, and
most have much more than 400 mcg. Taking more won’t hurt you, the extra folic
acid will simply come out in your urine.
If you are
on any prescribed medications, it’s a good idea to see if they are dangerous
for a developing baby. Sometimes your doctor can switch you to a medication
that is safer.
Lastly, if
you have any chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure,
or a history of cancer, it is best to see your doctor to address and manage these
conditions prior to pregnancy.
Once all of
these items are out of the way, you can move on to the fun part of having a
baby – trying to conceive. Best of luck!
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