Preparing for pregnancy
ParentsCentre's expert Dr Stuart Flanagan begins a series of articles by outlining some pre-conception guidelines. Dr Flanagan is an experienced physician who also works as a contributor and medical adviser for a number of BBC projects - you can download his biography at the bottom of this page. He will be writing monthly articles for the site, including bedwetting, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, discussing contraception with teenagers, acne in adolescence and common diseases in childhood.
Pre-conception advice
Every parent is both excited and scared about the prospect of a new arrival
in the family. By following some simple steps to ensure that mum and dad are in
top condition before conception, you can minimise some of the fears that
parenthood might bring. The first few weeks of pregnancy are when your baby is
at its most vulnerable, so some forward planning and careful pre-conceptual
care can help towards a happy and healthy pregnancy for mum, resulting in a
happy and healthy baby at full term.
General health
First of all, try to maximise your own health and fitness. Mum will need a
balanced diet, including a good balance of protein and carbohydrates.
Avoid foods high in fats and sugar. Cut back on your caffeine intake as even
two cups of coffee a day can make it harder to conceive. Take regular, moderate
exercise so your body is in good shape during pregnancy and so you have plenty
of energy and stamina for going into labour.
Smoking
If you're a smoker, having a baby is just about the best motivation to
stop. Firstly, smoking can make it harder for you to conceive. Smoking has been
shown to cause underweight babies and restrict their growth. There is also an
increased risk of congenital abnormalities such as cleft lip and palate, as
well as premature birth. To get advice on stopping smoking, see your GP or
practice nurse, who will help with aids such as chewing gum and nicotine
patches. Also, ask your family and friends to be supportive, and stay away from
smoking areas so your baby doesn't feel the ill effects of passive
smoking.
Alcohol
"Women are advised to drink no more than 14 to 21 units in a week (and not all in one session)."
Too much alcohol has been shown to be harmful to your baby during pregnancy,
and indeed heavy drinking can cause foetal alcohol syndrome, which causes
problems with hearing, sight and development. Women are advised to drink no
more than 14 to 21 units in a week (and not all in one session). However, if
you are pregnant - or planning on becoming pregnant - cut down your alcohol
intake to no more than eight units per week, spread across the week. Ideally
keep your intake down to one to two units per week. Indeed, many women decide
not to drink at all during pregnancy, and if you stop drinking prior to
conception this will help to overcome the temptation of "just one more
drink".
Recreational drugs
The use of recreational and illegal drugs can put your baby at risk of
miscarriage, premature birth and poor development. Don't take any during
your pregnancy or in the month prior to conception.
Contraception
If your pregnancy is planned and you're on the pill, it's best to
wait three months after stopping before trying to conceive. This will reduce
the risk of miscarriage. Also keep a record of your menstrual periods so your
due date can be calculated more accurately after conception.
Folic acid
Take a multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid every day for a month
before conception, and also throughout early pregnancy, as part of your healthy
diet. Folic acid has been shown to reduce the risk of neural tube defects of
the brain and spinal cord (such as spina bifida) in the unborn. If there's
a family history of spina bifida, increase this dose to five milligrams
daily.
Other vitamins and minerals
In addition to folic acid, make sure your multivitamin supplements include zinc (30 milligrams per day), selenium (100 micrograms per day), iron and vitamins A, B, C and E. Many chemists will be able to provide you with a simple multivitamin and mineral supplement with all your daily requirements.
"If you catch rubella in the first four months of pregnancy it can cause serious sight and hearing defects in your baby."
Rubella
Mum has an important responsibility to make sure all her vaccinations are up
to date. The most important of these is rubella. Make sure you are
rubella-immune and received a vaccination as a child or teenager. If you catch
rubella in the first four months of pregnancy it can cause serious sight
and hearing defects in your baby. If you are unsure, check with your GP and get
a blood test to clarify your immune status. You may need a vaccination three
months prior to conception.
Health checks
Planning a pregnancy is a good chance for both parents to get a full health check with your family doctor. If there is a family history on mum or dad's side, such as cystic fibrosis, let your GP know. You may need genetic counselling with a trained specialist. Also, make sure you have a full sexual health screen too. Some STIs can be passed on to your baby during birth, so make sure both mum and dad have been treated for any infections before planning to conceive.
Diabetes
"Poor glucose control can lead to problems after birth."
Women with diabetes need to have good control of their blood sugars prior to
conception and throughout their pregnancy, as they are at higher risk of having
babies with congenital problems than the general population. Poor glucose
control can lead to problems after birth. Make sure your HbA1c level is
monitored in the months before conception, and your sugar levels stay well
controlled throughout your pregnancy.
Epilepsy
If you have a history of epilepsy, speak with your GP or consultant in case
your medication needs to be adjusted during pregnancy. Some anti-epileptics can
be harmful to your baby, and you will need expert advice.
Other conditions
If you take medication for any other conditions, such as heart problems or
thyroid disease, speak to your specialist so they are involved with your care
throughout your pregnancy and after birth. Also, if your doctor plans to
prescribe you new medications or antibiotics, remind them that you are planning
a pregnancy or are already pregnant.
Avoid stress
Stress has been shown to have effects on blood pressure, hormone regulation and menstrual cycle. So if you are trying to conceive or are having problems conceiving, try and identify any stressful areas in your life, and with the help of family and friends, minimise them.
"Drink only pasteurized milk."
Staying healthy
Some simple tips will help you to stay healthy and avoid picking up
infections which may harm an unborn baby. Wash your hands frequently. Cook all
your eggs and meat products thoroughly. Make sure your fruit and vegetables are
washed. Drink only pasteurized milk. Don't handle cat litter as it can
carry a parasite causing a toxoplasmosis infection. If young family members
have the cold or flu, stay away from them while they are symptomatic.
These simple tips should help to make sure your plans for conception go well,
and your baby's earliest days in the womb safe and healthy. Good luck!
Dr
Stuart Flanagan's biography
- download (.doc)
(help)
Next Steps
 | Sometimes speaking to parents and carers who have experienced the same
issues and problems as you can be a great way to get valuable advice and
information. Read, respond or ask a question in the |
|---|
'Having a baby'
 | Benefit from the advice and tips given by our experts by reading or asking a
question in the |
|---|
