Pregnancy Planning: Preconception Health and Fertility Evaluation

How to Plan for a Pregnancy:

Pregnancy has a major effect on a woman’s life. There are several problems that can occur due to pregnancy that can be reduced by properly planning for the pregnancy. If you want to get pregnant, continue reading to learn how to prepare for this life-changing event. Take the following actions in order to have a successful pregnancy:

• Folic acid:

If you and your partner are planning to conceive, then you should take a folic supplement before you get pregnant because folic acid helps to provide good health outcomes for your baby as they growing. 

• Alcohol:

You must completely avoid alcohol before and during your pregnancy. It is the safest option for your baby because alcohol can affect it’s health and development.

• Smoking:

Quitting smoking before pregnancy is the best method of protecting your baby and yourself from serious complications during pregnancy. By doing so, you are more likely to conceive naturally and without delay, less likely to suffer a miscarriage and less likely to give birth prematurely.

• Stop Birth Control:

If you want to conceive, you must discontinue any and all forms of birth control that you are using. In fact, there are many women who get their first period within two weeks of quitting the pill.

• Exercise

Moving your body regularly is a great way to prepare for pregnancy. Aim to exercise daily for at least half an hour.

Pre-pregnancy Health and Fertility Evaluation:

Before you get pregnant you should evaluate your health. This can be done by taking a preconception check-up. This is a medical check-up you take to make sure that you are capable of having a successful pregnancy before you become pregnant. 

At your preconception check-up your healthcare provider will look at the following:

• Physical health:

Issues like diabetes and high blood pressure can affect your pregnancy.

• Mental health:

Depression and stress can hurt your baby’s health.

• Your history of pregnancy:

Whether you have given birth before or ever had a miscarriage, etc.

• Medications that you are taking or have taken in the past:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and certain antibiotics must be avoided before pregnancy.

Fertility can be checked in the following ways:

• A physical exam:

This exam will check for genital diseases and sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and others.

• Blood tests: 

Your blood will be examined to check the levels of hormones such as female hormones, thyroid hormones and prolactin.

• Pelvic exam:

The doctor will perform an ultrasound on your pelvis to check your uterus and ovaries.

Who to See Before Pregnancy:

If you want to get a health and fertility checkup before you conceive, you should go to one of these specialists – an obstetrician, a family nurse practitioner or a midwife. At the Chennai Gynaecology Clinic, we have many of these specialists who have vast years of experience in preparing women for pregnancies. Our hard-working and skilful doctors are why we have a reputation for being the best gynaecology hospital in Chennai. If you come to us, we promise to take care of both you and your baby.