So you and your partner are thinking about starting on the journey to parenthood—congratulations! Many patients come into our office for what is now known as "preconception" advice. Their number one question is, "What can I do to prepare my body for pregnancy?"
Here are a few simple actions you can take to increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy.
See Your Doctor
If you have pre-existing medical conditions, these should be treated and/or under the best control possible to avoid potential problems in pregnancy. For example, women who are diabetic need to have optimum blood sugar control for three months before they conceive, because the glucose control for a diabetic when pregnant is much stricter than for a nonpregnant woman. Glucose control for a three-month period can be measured by a blood test called the hemoglobin A1C. The higher this number, the higher the risk for miscarriage and birth defects.
Women with thyroid conditions provide another example. If a woman has thyroid disease, her thyroid levels must be under control to conceive. Untreated thyroid disease during pregnancy can lead to lower IQ for the developing fetus.
Take Your Supplements
Take folic acid on a regular basis three months before conception to ensure adequate levels of this nutrient, which helps with cell metabolism and prevention of birth defects. We recommend taking either a prenatal vitamin or 800mcg of folic acid for at least three months before conceiving.
Battle Obesity
Obesity leads to infertility, increased risk of miscarriage and cesarean delivery. If you are overweight now, the best thing you can do for your baby is to try and decrease your body weight to a healthier level before conceiving.
Quit Today
Alcohol, tobacco and drug use should be avoided once a woman has conceived. The risks from these substances begin right after conception, even when you do not know you are pregnant. Abstain from these substances after ovulation or at the minute you become pregnant.
Know the Truth
Myth buster: If you are on a hormonal form of contraceptive, you do not have to take a break or give time for the hormones to be "cleansed" from your body. As soon as you are on placebo pills or a week break from the patch or ring, those hormones are metabolized from your body. A woman will ovulate a week after stopping these methods—so go for it!