By Maryanne Riley, FNP
It always excites me when my patients tell me they are planning a pregnancy and want to know what they should do for a healthy pregnancy and more importantly, having a healthy normal baby. Preparing for pregnancy increases your chances of achieving a pregnancy and reduces the risks of complications for both mother and baby.
As a medical practitioner and mother, I believe that taking charge of our lives and investing in healthy lifestyles results in continued and prolonged good health. When we decide to have a baby, proper planning makes us more aware of what we need to do for a healthy pregnancy and baby. This is preconception care.
Preconception care starts with you. It’s a personal assessment of your diet, lifestyle, where you live, having an honest conversation with your partner and your doctor or health care provider. Preconception care makes clear what changes you have to consider before becoming pregnant. I highlighted a couple of recommendations for you to consider.
Weight and Nutrition
A balanced healthy diet with fresh fruits, green vegetables and plenty of water is very important. Processed pre-packaged foods contain flavoring and additives that
Reduce or eliminate your coffee intake. Miscarriages and low birth rates have been linked to excess caffeine. Decaf coffee is no better.
Taking a daily supplement of 400mcg of folic acid can prevent neural tube defects. Women planning a pregnancy should begin taking folic acid at least one month before conception and through the first three months of pregnancy. Higher doses are indicated for special risk groups.
Being underweight or overweight can affect normal ovulation, reduce the chance of getting pregnant, may increase pregnancy complications and risks associated with anesthesia.
Women with a body mass index or 30 or more need a supervised weight loss program involving dietary advice and exercise. Obese women tend to have more difficulty conceiving and are at higher risk of miscarriage. Underweight women often do not ovulate normally, thereby reducing fertility. This could be corrected with good nutrition and healthy weight gain. Women with a body mass index of 20 or less should seek dietary counseling.
Lifestyle Changes
If you smoke and or drink alcohol, STOP IT! Cigarette smoking has been linked to premature ovarian aging and reduces pregnancy rates by as much as 40 percent when compared to women who do not smoke. Alcohol use during pregnancy is very harmful to the fetus.
Pregnant smokers are more likely to have low birth weight and/or premature birth. The placenta feeds the unborn baby and complications with the placenta have been linked to smoking.
Alcohol consumption interferes with ovulation. Effects of excessive alcohol can be mental retardation, malformation, growth retardation, miscarriage, and behavioral disorders in infants. As little as two drinks every day causes problems in more than 10 percent of pregnancies.
Infections and Vaccinations
Pregnant women are more vulnerable to infections. Some infections can harm the baby as well as the mother.
If contacted during pregnancy, German measles or Rubella can cause birth defects. A simple blood test can determine the woman’s immunity. If she is not immune, a vaccine can be given six weeks before conception.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases or STDs are harmful to the developing baby. It is a good practice to be tested for STDs before considering pregnancy.
Medical Problems and Family History
If you are planning a pregnancy you should consider a health screening, especially if you have not had a health screen within the past year.
Diabetes, anemia, and high blood pressure negatively affect a pregnancy. These conditions are treatable and getting them under control will help promote a normal, healthy pregnancy. A health practitioner will ask you if there are hereditary diseases in your and your partner’s family like hemophilia, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia etc. Your provider may recommend genetic counseling and testing with a specialist.
Good health, healthy lifestyles and a good positive attitude are all factors that promote a healthy and normal pregnancy and baby. If you have any questions or would like more information, there is an excellent and very detailed publication online called Preconception Health Care by Stephanie Brundage, MD. It is written for and as a guide for health care providers. Googling “preconception care” will take you to a number of sites with good information. Of course, you can always come see me at Redwoods Rural Health Center. The center’s number is 707-923-2783.
Maryanne Riley is a Family Nurse Practitioner with more than 30 years of medical and women’s health experience. Maryanne is on staff at Redwoods Rural Health Center.
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