It’s a big decision that will affect the rest of your life. However, for many people it may not be that easy to achieve. Therefore, having a baby needs pre-planning and most gynaecologists agree.
Why?
Firstly, babies from unplanned pregnancies are at greater risk of premature birth and lower weight than babies from planned pregnancies. Secondly, poor underlying health can affect the ability to have a baby in the first place.
This is why most doctors recommend women start preparing for a baby at least three months prior to conception. The first step is to consult a health professional, preferably a medical doctor in general practice who has access to your full health history. The idea here is to conduct an inventory of lifestyle behaviours that consider home and work environmental factors that could be harmful to the woman’s fertility and baby.
Factors to consider
● Known risk factors: for instance, smoking and/or alcohol intake
● Lifestyle factors: diet and exercise fall into this category, particularly as they impact known risk factors such as being overweight. It may also be that other lifestyle factors need to be taken into account such as caffeine consumption
● Environmental factors: this might include exposure to poor quality air or avoiding certain foods that might be contaminated with environmental toxins
● Previous medical history: it goes without saying that aspects of previous experience with certain diseases or certain medical conditions can affect fertility. A good example of this is sexually transmitted diseases, which can affect fertility long after the disease itself has been treated
● Mental health aspects: Poor mental health decreases your immune system, affects weight and causes sleep problems, all of which can make it difficult to get pregnant.
To test or not to test
Nowadays it is possible to be screened for genetic disorders prior to conceiving. It’s a big decision to make, but genetic diseases like cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia often run-in families, with some people also at higher risk of having a child with a chromosome disorder.
Couples can arrange it themselves, but health professionals may recommend screening in any case if would-be parents have a family history of a genetic condition, or if the woman has had multiple pregnancy losses or stillbirths.
One advantage of getting screened before conception is that if couples learn that their baby would have higher risk of a genetic disorder, they can opt for in vitro fertilization. In that scenario, eggs can be genetically tested BEFORE fertilization and implantation.
7 quick ways to prepare for conception and pregnancy
1. Cut out smoking and drinking: plan on doing this at least three months before trying to get pregnant.
2. Folic acid: consider taking a folic acid supplement (check with your relevant health professional first, though) every day to lower the risk of some birth defects including spina bifida. Ideally, plan on taking supplements for at least 3 months before trying to conceive. Check out Inofolic Alpha in our shop section here.
3. Health test: ideally, go for a full medical three months before trying for baby. This will allow for any modifications to diet e.g., to lose weight, if necessary to take effect. Also, it allows time to get any other medical issues a woman may have under control such as asthma, diabetes, eating problems etc.
4. Check on those medicines you are current taking: talk to a doctor about the use of any over the counter and prescription medications you routinely take.
5. Make sure you are up to date on vaccines, the rubella vaccine is particularly important in terms of unborn babies and screenings, including a Pap test and screenings for STIs. Ensure you get vaccinated against COVID-19 this summer: fevers are dangerous for unborn babies and note that it is a myth that vaccines reduce fertility!
6. Stop taking birth control: track your menstrual cycle to know the optimum window for conception. Menstrual periods usually will return within 30 days after a woman stops taking birth control pills but can take a month longer. Doctors recommend women have at least one period before conceiving. Check out the OvuSense range in our shop section here.
7. Do an environmental audit: are you exposed to poor quality air at work or at home? What is the water quality like? Try to mimimise exposure to chemicals and fumes.
Every woman is different and will need her own unique pre-planning programme. Because of this most professionals in the area agree that it is important to empower women to ask questions, do research and prepare because becoming a mother is a big change physically and mentally. So, choose a doctor who is a good listener!
