The big decision!

          When you have decided to take your family one step further it is important to have pre conceptional counselling. 

            Preconception care is an opportunity for you to improve your health before pregnancy so as to have the best outcome.

           It is based on the principle that most of the potential risk factors that affect future pregnancy outcomes occur prior to pregnancy. Preconception care offers an opportunity to identify these risk factors so they can be avoided. For example:It has been seen that more than 50% of the pregnancies are unplanned. In most of these cases the woman does not know she is pregnant in the early phase and inadvertently gets exposed to toxins that can affect the baby. This is prevented by proper counselling.

   What are the precautions you have to take while planning your baby?

• Track your menstrual cycles.
• Avoid taking any over the counter medication without consulting your doctor.
• Avoid smoking or drinking.
• Avoid radiation.
• Take healthy diet. Maintain proper weight.

     

   What is done in preconception care?

• Folic acid supplement 

All women of reproductive age should be advised to take folic acid and to consume a balanced, healthy diet of folate-rich foods. Women at high risk for Neural tube defects should take higher levels of folic acid.

• Genetic and family history: 

In case of any diseases risk is assessed and best course of action is decided.

• Weight:

All women with a BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 or less than 18.5 kg/m2 should be counselled about infertility risk and risks during and after pregnancy.

• Chronic Medical problems:

Hypertension: Women of reproductive age should have blood pressure checks during routine care. If diagnosed with hypertension, they should be counselled on lifestyle changes and medications that are safe in pregnancy.

Diabetes: Women who have diabetes should be counselled about the importance of glycemic control and safe medicines should be prescribed.

Immunisation status should be reviewed annually and updated as indicated. Vaccination should be done for

• • • • • • • Rubella
            • Chicken pox
            • Flu

Assess for use of teratogenic medications that is medicines that can cause birth defects and optimise risk profile of medications.

So in a nutshell proper planning helps to identify most of the risk factors and ensure the well-being of the mother and the child.