Once your spirit (heart), your mind and your body are all on the same page, it's time to call on the professionals. You should see your doctor now. Many women believe they can wait until they've conceived to consult a medical professional, but it's wise to do so as soon as you're committed to becoming pregnant.
Before You Become Pregnant:
The more you plan for your pregnancy the more time you will have to enjoy your pregnancy. Pregnancy is after all, a life-changing experience that every woman deserves to enjoy to the fullest. Pregnancy will change your life forever, in many positive ways. Pregnancy also places many stresses on you emotionally and physically. The good news is you can prepare your body to handle pregnancy, labor and delivery easily. By preparing and nurturing your body ahead of time, you will automatically reduce any stress you feel whether emotional or physical. You may even find you experience very little stress and instead lots of joy and wonder!
Preparing for pregnancy starts from the moment you think about having a baby. It is critical to your baby's health that you do everything possible to provide a healthy and safe environment for your baby to grow in. What does this mean for you? This means taking good... no GREAT care of yourself. If you don't care for your own body, or pollute your body with cigarette smoke, excessive drinking or use of drugs, you will not prepare your womb to deliver a child safely into this world.
The only way to welcome a baby into the world is by preparing your body. Consider your body a welcoming temple, one that you will prepare personally to nurture and care for your unborn child. Many women worry about their health before having a baby, and with good reason. One way you can put your worries to rest is by visiting your healthcare provider.
Let your doctor know you want to have a baby. Your doctor will help you prepare for your baby by evaluating your current health and lifestyle. Together, the two of you can come up with a plan for preparing your body for your baby before you ever become pregnant. That way, you will maximize your chances for a safe, happy and healthy pregnancy, labor and delivery.
The Pre-Pregnancy Checkup
Your medical history:
So what does your pre-pregnancy checkup involve? Your doctor will want to know about any medical conditions you have or have had in the past. Some examples may include diabetes, high blood pressure, depression or other problems that may influence your pregnancy or the period after.
It is essential you let your doctor know about any medications you have used now or in the past. Your doctor will help guide you through a series of simple and easy questions so together you can decide how to care for your body before, during and after your pregnancy.
What Your Doctor Needs to Know
Are you currently trying to get pregnant?
Do you use birth control? If so, what type?
Have you been treated for any medical or psychiatric problems in the past? List all
known conditions.
Do you take medications regularly? List all prescription and over-the-counter
medications and supplements you use regularly.
Have you ever had any of the following problems that may make a pregnancy high risk:
High Blood Pressure, heart disease or thyroid disease
Diabetes Mellitus
Lung problems such as asthma
Chronic anemia (low blood count)
Being overweight
Surgeries, especially female surgeries
Problems with previous pregnancies
Have you ever had any sexually transmitted diseases such as Syphilis, Chlamydia or
Herpes?
Have you received any recent vaccinations?
Does your family have a history of disease such as epilepsy, Tay Sachs disease or mental retardation?
Do you drink, use tobacco, use illegal drugs or drink a lot of caffeine?
Have you ever received a transfusion or blood products?
Do you currently exercise? Describe your fitness routine.
Where and in what capacity do you work?
Have you ever been exposed to x-rays, toxic chemicals or other dangerous
substances as part of your employment? If so, describe in detail.
Do you plan to continue work while pregnant?
Developing a pre-conception history provides an opportunity to identify risks of pregnancy for mother and fetus, to educate the patient about these risks and to start appropriate treatments and lifestyle changes before the start of the pregnancy.
