Preconception (what to expect before you are expecting.)
Are you preparing for pregnancy or simply not avoiding one?
Either way, you should follow certain steps to stay healthy and if a pregnancy happens, to have a healthy baby.
The odds of getting pregnant by a young fertile couple after having unprotected sexual intercourse around the time of ovulation are 20 percent.
First, make a plan and take action. A conversation with your partner to ensure that you are on the same page about future plans may be a starting point. Consider your individual goals as well as your relationship goals.
Once you decide that you want to have a baby or that you would welcome one if and when one comes, the next step is to consult your OB/GYN physician for preconception counseling appointment.
The goal of this visit is to learn about things that can affect the pregnancy.
Learning about these potentially harmful issues will enhance chances of a healthy pregnancy and baby. Your lifestyle, diet, family and medical history directly and indirectly affect the pregnancy. Be prepared to discuss these topics in detail. A food diary may help you and the provider identify items that can potentially harm the pregnancy. Your overall nutrition and weight status will be discussed. Being overweight or underweight may have negative effects on your body during pregnancy and create risks during labor and delivery that can be avoided with a plan. There is debate about whether certain substances may or may not cause harm to the pregnancy and in many cases, studies are limited. For example, there are many opinions about the quantity of daily alcohol consumption that is safe. This is the ideal time to discuss with your provider your opinion and understand what has been studied about this subject.
Pregnancy itself can cause a medical condition to worsen. If you suffer from a chronic condition (like diabetes, mellitus or Lupus) you can discuss with your obstetrician how to maximize treatment to avoid complications during pregnancy.
The amount of vitamins and minerals necessary to support a normal pregnancy differs from our needs as individuals. Specifically, folic acid consumption during a normal diet hardly ever matches what your body needs to support a normal pregnancy, therefore supplements should be started while you are planning a pregnancy, before the pregnancy arrives.