Why is being ready for pregnancy so important?
Why is being ready for pregnancy so important?
Conception occurs about 2 weeks before your period is due. That means
you may not even know you're pregnant until you're more than 3 weeks
pregnant. Yet your baby is most sensitive to harm 2 to 8 weeks after
conception. This is when your baby's organs (such as the heart) begin to
form. Anything you eat, drink, smoke or are exposed to can affect your
baby. That's why it's best to start acting as if you're pregnant before
you actually are.
When should I talk with my doctor about pregnancy?
You can talk with your doctor about pregnancy at any time, even
before you're thinking about getting pregnant. You can talk about your
diet, habits, lifestyle and any concerns you have. Plan on visiting your
doctor within a year before you want to get pregnant. At that time, you
may be given a physical check-up. You and the father-to-be will
probably be asked about your medical history. You'll also both have the
chance to ask your doctor questions.
What should I eat?
What you eat will also feed your baby. Junk food like potato chips,
soda and cookies won't have the right nutrients for your baby. You want
to make sure you get plenty of calcium, folic acid (see box below),
protein and iron. Talk with your doctor about what nutrients you need
and how to get them.
You might also need to make some changes if you follow a vegetarian
or weight-loss diet. Talk with your doctor before taking extra vitamins
and minerals. Some may actually be harmful, like high doses of vitamin
A.
Folic Acid Alert
Women who don't get enough folic acid during pregnancy are more likely to have a baby with serious problems of the brain or spinal cord. It's important to take folic acid before becoming pregnant because these problems develop very early in pregnancy--only 3 to 4 weeks after conception. Women need about 0.4 mg of folic acid a day. You can take a multivitamin or eat plenty of green, leafy vegetables, fruits like oranges, cantaloupe and bananas, milk, grains and organ meats (such as chicken livers).What about weight?
If you're overweight, your risk during pregnancy is higher for things
such as high blood pressure and diabetes. You may also be less
comfortable during pregnancy, and your labor may be longer. If
necessary, use the time before getting pregnant to lose extra weight.
Is exercise okay?
Yes. The more fit you are, the easier your pregnancy and delivery may
be. But if you exercise too much, it can make getting pregnant harder.
And overdoing it once you're pregnant can be dangerous. If you haven't
been exercising, start before you get pregnant. While you are pregnant,
you can probably keep up a light exercise program. Walking every day is
good exercise. Talk to your doctor about an exercise plan that is best
for you.
Do I need to change my habits?
Using tobacco, alcohol or drugs can seriously harm your baby and can
even cause a miscarriage. If you use tobacco, alcohol or drugs, get help
from your doctor to quit.
Smoking. Smoking can cause miscarriage, bleeding, premature
birth and low birth weight. It's also linked to sudden infant death
syndrome (SIDS), in which infants suddenly die of no obvious cause.
Children of smokers may also do less well on IQ tests and their physical
growth may be slower.
Alcohol. Drinking during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol syndrome
(FAS). FAS can lead to many birth defects, including mental problems,
slow growth, defects of the face and a head that is too small. Doctors
do not know how much alcohol it takes to cause FAS, so it is important
to avoid alcohol completely during your pregnancy.
Illegal drugs. Using marijuana, cocaine and other illegal
drugs increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth and birth
defects. With some drugs, the child will be born addicted to the drug
that the mother abused and will go through withdrawal.
Am I around things at work or at home that could be harmful?
There are certain materials that a woman who is pregnant should
avoid. Some dangers include radiation, heavy metals like lead, copper
and mercury, carbon disulfide, acids and anesthetic gases. The radiation
from computer screens doesn't seem to be harmful.
Talk with your doctor about your workplace and home environments to
find out if there are any dangers. If anything could harm your baby at
work, you may be able to use special clothing or equipment to protect
your baby, or you may be able to get a short-term transfer before and
during pregnancy.
Is it okay to take medicine?
Both prescription and over-the-counter medicines can affect your
baby. Ask your doctor before taking prescription or nonprescription
(such as aspirin) medicines.
If you need to take medicine often because of health problems (such
as asthma, epilepsy, thyroid problems or migraine headaches) talk with
your doctor about your treatment and any risks during pregnancy.
What tests may I need before I get pregnant?
You may need some tests to find out if you have problems that could
harm you or your baby during pregnancy. Many things can be treated
before pregnancy to help prevent problems for you and your baby.
Rubella. If you don't know whether you've ever had rubella
(also called the German measles) or been vaccinated against it, a blood
test can give the answer. Catching rubella while you're pregnant can be
very harmful for your baby. You can be vaccinated against rubella before
you get pregnant.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs). STIs such as
gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia and AIDS can make it hard for you to get
pregnant and can also harm you or your baby. It is best if these
diseases are diagnosed and treated before pregnancy.
Other problems. Your doctor may also want to perform some other tests depending on your risk for other problems (such as anemia or hepatitis).
What if I have health problems?
Diabetes, high blood pressure or problems with your circulation may
need extra care during pregnancy. It's often easier to treat problems or
get them under control before you're pregnant.
Will my baby be at risk for genetic problems?
Your baby may be at risk for certain problems or diseases that run in
your family. Cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia are some examples
of conditions that can be inherited. These problems aren't caused by
anything you do during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor about your risk
factors and whether screening tests are needed.
