Ready for pregnancy

A preconception visit to the doctor helps prepare for pregnancy.

Hoping or planning for a pregnancy? We look at the important lifestyle changes you and your partner can make before you become pregnant.

Once you've become pregnant, there's a good chance that you and your partner will decide to make some important lifestyle changes. Your refrigerator will become crammed with fruit and vegetables, your bathroom cabinet will be packed full of vitamins and supplements and, like most pregnant women, you'll adopt a healthier outlook on life. However, these lifestyle changes shouldn't be made when you receive a positive pregnancy test. In fact, it's important to make them before you become pregnant. Good health and medical care before you become pregnant–preconception care–mean you will reap the benefits throughout pregnancy and childbirth.

A preconception visit

It's a good idea to make a doctor's appointment as soon as you and your partner decide to have a baby. Your doctor can give you advice, and let you know what lifestyle changes to make, if any, for a healthier, happier pregnancy. Your doctor might ask about your diet and lifestyle, medical history and past pregnancies. Give honest and open answers–your doctor is there to help!

Diet and lifestyle
A healthy and balanced diet is important for your health and wellbeing. You should try to reach a healthy weight before you become pregnant–in other words, you shouldn't be underweight or overweight. If you aren't the correct weight for your height, ask your doctor or a dietician to draw up a healthy eating plan.

Your diet and eating habits are even more important when you become pregnant, as you need to provide the vitamins and nutrients for your developing baby. You also need to increase your intake of folic acid as it reduces the risk of having a baby with malformations of the brain and spinal cord. All women of childbearing age should take 0.4 mg of folic acid each day, which can be taken as a supplement and can be found in a wide range of foods:

• Dark greens and vegetables
• Whole-grain breads and cereals
• Citrus fruits
• Dried peas and beans

It's also important to keep fit! Swimming and walking, for example, are good forms of exercise and can help you enjoy a comfortable and active pregnancy.

Your medical history
If you have a medical condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure or cardiovascular problems, it's important to get them checked out and under control before you're pregnant. For example, women with diabetes can increase their chance of having healthy babies by maintaining normal blood sugar levels.

Your doctor also needs to know if you're taking medications, either prescribed or bought over the counter. Some can be harmful to a developing baby, including medications to control acne (isotretinoin).

Your family's medical history
Some medical conditions are genetic, and can be passed on to an unborn child. If a close member of your family has a medical condition–for example, diabetes or cardiovascular problems–talk to your doctor.

Depending on your family history and ethnic group, you may be offered genetic counseling. This can help you and your partner find out whether there's a chance your baby could have a birth defect. It involves a detailed study of your family history and, in some cases, a physical examination of you and your partner.

Past pregnancies
If you've had a problem in a past pregnancy, such as a miscarriage or a child with birth defects, you might be able to find out the cause, and prevent it from happening again. Ask your doctor for further information.

What to avoid…

Alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs
Alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs can harm you and your unborn child, and it's best to avoid using them before and during your pregnancy.

Alcohol and illegal drugs can cause long-term problems for your developing baby, such as mental retardation and other birth defects.

Cigarettes can cause preterm birth, low birth weight (less than 5.5 pounds) and problems with the placenta the life-support of your baby. The risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is also increased. You should stop using alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs as soon as possible. If you need help, ask your doctor. Your partner also needs to stop smoking (at least, around you!).

Environment
Some substances found in the home or the workplace can be harmful if you're pregnant, and can cause physical or mental defects in an unborn child. X-rays are a form of radiation used to diagnose and treat disease. If you need X-rays (perhaps in a hospital or a dental surgery) make sure the health care team know if you are, or might be, pregnant. If you're exposed to a harmful substance in the workplace, such as chemicals or radiation, discuss this with your employer. You could be given another job, or protective clothing and equipment.

Planning for support

Pregnancy and childbirth are major events, and you may need emotional support. Talk to your friends and family to find out if they're prepared to support you and your partner.

It's also important to have financial support. Find out whether your health insurance covers the cost of prenatal care, as well as childbirth. If you're in full-time employment, ask your employer about maternity leave. Most employers give long-term employees 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave after childbirth. Also ask about paternity leave. Some employers offer this option as well.