Pre-Pregnancy Care
What is Pre-Pregnancy Care?
Pre-pregnancy counselling is conducted before you conceive and benefits the mother and baby during pregnancy.
It helps check for possible risk factors during pregnancy and also gives way to resolve any medical issues you may have before you become pregnant.
Pre-pregnancy counselling and care will help you become physically healthy and emotionally strong before you enter the pregnancy phase.
What Happens During a Pre-pregnancy Counselling Session?
You can discuss and clarify with your doctor everything that concerns you before you get pregnant, like starting prenatal vitamins, diet or any hereditary health issues. Many important points will be discussed during your pre-pregnancy counselling session. They include:
Reproductive history
Your doctor will discuss your menstrual history, use of contraceptives, previous sexually transmitted diseases, vaginal infections and Pap test results.
Medical and surgical history: You should inform the doctor about any past health problems so they can be controlled while you plan your pregnancy. Any past surgeries or hospitalisations should also be brought to the doctor's notice.
Current medications
Discuss with your doctor any prescription, over-the-counter medications, or herbal supplements you may be taking. This can help the doctor plan your medications to prevent potential pregnancy problems.
Weight
It is always better to have an ideal weight before you conceive. Gaining weight if you are underweight will reduce the risk of having a low birth-weight baby, and reducing weight if you are overweight will prevent the risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy.
Workplace and home environment
Your doctor will discuss potential hazards to the conception or maintaining a pregnancy, such as exposure to lead or certain toxic solvents, radiation and cat faeces.
Lifestyle
The effect of certain habits like alcohol consumption, smoking and recreational drugs on pregnancy will be discussed. You and your partner may be advised to stop these habits for a healthy pregnancy.
Exercise
Inform your doctor about your exercises or if you don't exercise. You may be advised to continue normal exercises during pregnancy until your doctor suggests otherwise.
Diet
Having good dietary habits is beneficial during pregnancy. You will be advised to consume food rich in folic acid, calcium, fibre and other nutrients and reduce the intake of caffeine, which is present in coffee, chocolates, soft drinks and medications, before getting pregnant.
Family health history
Inform your doctor about hereditary medical conditions and multiple births in the family.
Prenatal vitamins
You should take folic acid supplements before you conceive, as folic acid reduces the chances of neural tube defects in your baby.
Advice for older women
Women over 35 will be advised on the risks of infertility, abnormalities in the child and pregnancy complications, such as miscarriage and labour problems.
Your doctor may also recommend the following:
- Physical exam of your abdomen, heart, breasts, thyroid and lungs
- Pap smear and pelvic examination
- Lab tests to screen for hepatitis, HIV, rubella, syphilis and other conditions
- Chart menstrual cycles to monitor ovulation and determine the most favourable time to get pregnant
- Advise appropriate vaccinations against rubella or chickenpox, and recommend delay in conception for a month
- Conduct genetic counselling for older mothers or those with a risk of hereditary diseases to help you understand the chances of birth defects or intellectual disability in the child.
