Print ArticleEven if you consider your self healthy, you may want to think about a visit to your doctor before you try to become pregnant. Such visit can reassure you about any medications you are taking, and gives your doctor the opportunity to check for may preexisting medical conditions before you try to conceive. you can also make sure you are eating well and taking necessary supplements.
Often the chief purpose of a checkup before conception is to reassure your self that any medicines you take are safe in pregnancy. Many women stop taking prescribed drugs because of fears they may be harmful, when in fact they are vitally important to their health and there fore to the baby's health. Another reason for a checkup is if there is any serious genetic disorder in your partner's or your family. In many cases you can be tested to see if your baby is at risk. Usually the focus of any preconception visit is information gathering. Your doctor may ask you an exhaustive list of questions or ask you to fill out a detailed health questionnaire.
Routine Checkups
It's a good idea to get a basic physical exam with a primary care doctor or internist. At this visit you can get your blood pressure checked, update any vaccinations you need, make sure you are not anemic and be screened for thyroid disorders. It is especially important to get your routine cervical smear test (PAP smear) at this time, since options for evaluating an abnormal result while you are pregnant are limited.
Immunity To Diseases
All women are tested during pregnancy to see if they are immune to rubella (german measles). You may also be tested for chicken pox (varicella) immunity if your aren't sure if you had it as a child. Contracting these diseases in pregnancy can be damaging to your baby. If you are not already immune you can be immunized before pregnancy to protect you and your baby. You should wait a few months after having certain immunizations before you try to conceive. Testing For Infections
You may also want to consider testing for certain infections that could affect your pregnancy or your baby. Testing for HIV and hepatitis B is recommended for all women wanting to become pregnant. Testing for other infections such as herpes and hepatitis C will depend on risk factors or symptoms.
Cystic Fibrosis Screening
Finally you may also be offered carrier screening for cystic fibrosis (CF) a serious inherited condition causing recurrent lung infections and digestive problems in affected people. You can carry the cystic fibrosis gene and not have any symptoms. If your partner also carries the cystic fibrosis gene, each of your children will have a 25 percent chance of having cystic fibrosis. If you are Caucasian, you have a 1 in 29 risk of carrying the CF gene. Cystic fibrosis is less common in Asian Americans, African Americans, and Hispanic Americans, and the test is less informative in these groups. The test is done by using a cotton swab to collect cells from the inside of your mouth for testing. You don't have to be tested, but you should discuss it with your doctor. Genetic Counseling
If any one in your family or your partner's family has an inherited disease, such as Huntington's disease, you may be advised to see a genetic counselor.
A counselor will be able to advise you on the risks of your baby being affected by an inherited disease and what tests arc available. In some cases couples may want to consider a new technique, called preimplantation genetic diagnosis in which the woman's eggs are fertilized by IVF and healthy embryos selected for implanting in the womb. Genetic counseling is recommended for the following.
Ashkenazi Jews, who have a higher risk of Tay-Sachs disease, Canavan disease, cystic fibrosis. and other diseases.
African Americans who are at risk of sickle cell anemia.
Couples of Mediterranean descent who are at a higher risk of the blood disorder beta thalassemia.
Southeast Asians who are at a higher risk of blood disorders such as alpha thalassemia.
Diet And Nutrition
It is important that you eat a balanced diet if you are trying to become pregnant. You need to take folic acid supplements to reduce the risk of neural tube defects in your baby. If you have a weight problem, you should address this before you conceive. High Risk Disorders
Certain medical conditions can affect your chances of conceiving or present risks to your health, or that of your baby. If you have any of these conditions you should see you doctor before you try to conceive.
Diabetes.
Thyroid disorders.
Systemic lupus erythematosus.
High blood pressure.
Epilepsy.
Asthma.
Anemia.
History of cancer.
Hepatitis C or HIV infection.
Obesity, low body weight, or eating disorders.
Getting Informed
Not every one needs a preconception checkup, but there are many benefits. You will get specific information about.
How any medical conditions you have may affect your pregnancy.
Whether you need to change any of the medications you are taking.
Whether your baby may be at risk of a genetic disorder and in cases of genetic risk, what testing is available to you.
What vitamin and mineral supplements you should be taking before you conceive.
Robert Baird author for the provides you with the information about the child birth like blood disorders, early pregnancy symptoms , their treatment, details about nutrition supplement
Often the chief purpose of a checkup before conception is to reassure your self that any medicines you take are safe in pregnancy. Many women stop taking prescribed drugs because of fears they may be harmful, when in fact they are vitally important to their health and there fore to the baby's health. Another reason for a checkup is if there is any serious genetic disorder in your partner's or your family. In many cases you can be tested to see if your baby is at risk. Usually the focus of any preconception visit is information gathering. Your doctor may ask you an exhaustive list of questions or ask you to fill out a detailed health questionnaire.
Routine Checkups
It's a good idea to get a basic physical exam with a primary care doctor or internist. At this visit you can get your blood pressure checked, update any vaccinations you need, make sure you are not anemic and be screened for thyroid disorders. It is especially important to get your routine cervical smear test (PAP smear) at this time, since options for evaluating an abnormal result while you are pregnant are limited.
Immunity To Diseases
All women are tested during pregnancy to see if they are immune to rubella (german measles). You may also be tested for chicken pox (varicella) immunity if your aren't sure if you had it as a child. Contracting these diseases in pregnancy can be damaging to your baby. If you are not already immune you can be immunized before pregnancy to protect you and your baby. You should wait a few months after having certain immunizations before you try to conceive. Testing For Infections
You may also want to consider testing for certain infections that could affect your pregnancy or your baby. Testing for HIV and hepatitis B is recommended for all women wanting to become pregnant. Testing for other infections such as herpes and hepatitis C will depend on risk factors or symptoms.
Cystic Fibrosis Screening
Finally you may also be offered carrier screening for cystic fibrosis (CF) a serious inherited condition causing recurrent lung infections and digestive problems in affected people. You can carry the cystic fibrosis gene and not have any symptoms. If your partner also carries the cystic fibrosis gene, each of your children will have a 25 percent chance of having cystic fibrosis. If you are Caucasian, you have a 1 in 29 risk of carrying the CF gene. Cystic fibrosis is less common in Asian Americans, African Americans, and Hispanic Americans, and the test is less informative in these groups. The test is done by using a cotton swab to collect cells from the inside of your mouth for testing. You don't have to be tested, but you should discuss it with your doctor. Genetic Counseling
If any one in your family or your partner's family has an inherited disease, such as Huntington's disease, you may be advised to see a genetic counselor.
A counselor will be able to advise you on the risks of your baby being affected by an inherited disease and what tests arc available. In some cases couples may want to consider a new technique, called preimplantation genetic diagnosis in which the woman's eggs are fertilized by IVF and healthy embryos selected for implanting in the womb. Genetic counseling is recommended for the following.
Ashkenazi Jews, who have a higher risk of Tay-Sachs disease, Canavan disease, cystic fibrosis. and other diseases.
African Americans who are at risk of sickle cell anemia.
Couples of Mediterranean descent who are at a higher risk of the blood disorder beta thalassemia.
Southeast Asians who are at a higher risk of blood disorders such as alpha thalassemia.
Diet And Nutrition
It is important that you eat a balanced diet if you are trying to become pregnant. You need to take folic acid supplements to reduce the risk of neural tube defects in your baby. If you have a weight problem, you should address this before you conceive. High Risk Disorders
Certain medical conditions can affect your chances of conceiving or present risks to your health, or that of your baby. If you have any of these conditions you should see you doctor before you try to conceive.
Diabetes.
Thyroid disorders.
Systemic lupus erythematosus.
High blood pressure.
Epilepsy.
Asthma.
Anemia.
History of cancer.
Hepatitis C or HIV infection.
Obesity, low body weight, or eating disorders.
Getting Informed
Not every one needs a preconception checkup, but there are many benefits. You will get specific information about.
How any medical conditions you have may affect your pregnancy.
Whether you need to change any of the medications you are taking.
Whether your baby may be at risk of a genetic disorder and in cases of genetic risk, what testing is available to you.
What vitamin and mineral supplements you should be taking before you conceive.
Robert Baird author for the provides you with the information about the child birth like blood disorders, early pregnancy symptoms , their treatment, details about nutrition supplement
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