Preparing for Pregnancy

Are you a woman thinking about having a baby? If so, you’ll want to be in the best possible physical condition to be a mom. Experts say this isn’t the case for many moms-to-be, and, as a result, a number of babies are born prematurely or with birth defects. Now, several national women’s health experts and health organizations have developed guidelines for preconception care.

A pre-pregnancy checkup with your doctor is a crucial step for women and couples, according to new recommendations published in the Maternal and Child Health Journal. This way you can discuss your health and the possible risks you face in conceiving.

Try to check in with your doctor at least three months before getting pregnant. During the visit, you can:

• discuss your family history, personal health and any medicines you take. Conditions such as asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes or a thyroid disorder could affect your pregnancy.
• review your weight. Women who are obese have a higher risk for preterm delivery, gestational diabetes and cesarean sections.
• get any necessary vaccines.
• talk about any behaviors that may affect your chances of becoming pregnant.

This includes exercising too much, drinking alcohol or smoking. Your partner, too, will want to change any habits that could affect his fertility, such as smoking or drinking too much alcohol.

Your doctor may recommend a supplement to ensure you’re getting 400 micrograms of folic acid each day. This nutrient has been proven to reduce the risk for birth defects.

It’s also smart to see your dentist. Oral health is connected to your overall health. Dental checkups can help reduce the risk for premature delivery and low-birth-weight babies.