Planning your pregnancy journey can be beneficial, especially for first-time parents. You can prepare for your pregnancy physically, emotionally, and financially. Physicians for Women – Melius, Schurr & Cardwell can help you plan your pregnancy to reduce complications and improve your chances of a successful pregnancy and childbirth.
Pre-pregnancy counseling
Preconception counseling involves learning what to expect during the three trimesters of pregnancy. Your gynecologist will ask questions about family and medical history concerning you and your partner. Other questions will cover your lifestyle habits like sexual practices, nutrition, and physical exercise.
The following are significant areas that your specialist will cover.
Family and medical history
When your specialist inquires about your family history, they want to know whether you might have a condition that can be passed to your child. Your specialist will ask about certain diseases like diabetes, hypertension, blindness, and mental disorders. Such information will help your doctor watch out for certain symptoms during your pregnancy.
Your medical history and your partner’s will cover many areas, like whether you have had surgeries or blood transfusions before. They will also check your blood type to avoid complications during pregnancy. Other issues will include pre-existing conditions, allergies, and medications you and your partner are taking.
Sexual health
During pre-pregnancy counseling, your specialist might conduct a physical examination and laboratory tests. They will check for vaginal infections and sexually transmitted diseases that might pose problems to your pregnancy journey. If you have STDs, your specialist might recommend treatment before you get pregnant.
Other factors under your sexual health will include previous pregnancies, current contraceptive measures, and your menstrual history. If you have had a previous pregnancy, your specialist might ask whether you had any complications like preeclampsia.
Nutrition
Before you get pregnant, you must learn to eat properly, considering the type and amount of food you consume. Healthy, nutrient-dense foods will serve you better for a successful pregnancy than processed foods. Your diet must include legumes, sweet potatoes, lean meats, and lots of fruits and vegetables.
Proper nutrition will help you maintain a healthy weight, which is crucial during pregnancy. Ensure to take lots of water to keep your body hydrated. To meet your daily water requirement, carry a water bottle whenever you are not home.
Physical exercise
Regular exercise will help you maintain a fit physique throughout your pregnancy. Avoid intermittent exercising, which involves periods of exercising and other periods where you don’t exercise. Instead, exercise on alternate days or three days a week.
You can engage in light exercises like swimming, yoga, riding a stationary bike, or walking for about 30 minutes daily.
Recommendations to follow up after your preconception counseling
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Lose weight if you are overweight or obese
- Manage your stress levels
- Quit smoking or drinking alcohol
- Update your immunizations
- Take recommended prenatal vitamins
If you want to start your pregnancy journey, visit Physicians for Women for extensive evaluation and pre-pregnancy counseling. Let qualified, experienced, and friendly gynecologists help as you realize your parenthood journey. Call or book an appointment online today.
