I am planning a pregnancy – What should I be aware of?
For many women there comes a time when they decide to have a baby. At the same time most of the women ask themselves if there is anything specifically that they should be aware of before they get pregnant or how they can positively influence a pregnancy.
We have gathered here the most important points that we go through with women who are planning a pregnancy.
A healthy, balanced diet is a really important factor in the pregnancy as well as for the embryos as for the future mothers. The development of the organs takes already place in the first trimester so it is really important to have a balanced diet already before the pregnancy.
That’s why it is suggested to all women to start with the supplementation of Folic Acid (0.4mg/d) 2 months before they start trying to get pregnant. Through the supplementation of Folic Acid the risk of the baby to have a Spina Bifida (a serious condition in which part of the spine is not correctly developed at birth, leaving the nerves in the back without any protection) almost disappears.
Smoking, drugs and alcohol can also seriously affect the pregnancy and therefore are strictly forbidden.
Caffeine (for example 2 Cups of Coffee per Day) shows no negative effects on the pregnancies.
A Check Up from your gynaecologist is also really important especially if you have any risk factors, such as hormone disorders, changes in the cervix, anomalies of the uterus or if you have had any sexually transmitted diseases in the past.
Also women who have had any complications at their last pregnancy/pregnancies (such as preeclampsia, preterm birth, recurrent pregnancies losses, caesarean section, chromosomal anomalies or genetic disorders of other children.) should have a preconception counselling with their gynaecologist.
Some of children diseases can have a serious negative impact on the embryo if the mother gets infected during the pregnancy. That’s why it is really important to check with your gynaecologist if you have had all the vaccinations needed or if you already had these diseases as a child. (For example rubella and chickenpox.)
The gynecolostig should be aware of any other medical conditions of a woman who is planning a pregnancy as well as for any medication that she may take.
In some cases it´s the diseases that may negatively affect a pregnancy (such as diabetes mellitus or hypertension) or sometimes the medication itself (for example some groups of antiepileptic or hypertension drugs) that may cause serious problems to the embryo. Especially in these cases an interdisciplinary teamwork is essential.
In cases of hereditary diseases in the family or in some countries with high risk for some hereditary diseases (such as thalassemias or cystic fibrosis) the couples should have a genetic counselling, ideally before a pregnancy, in order to be informed about the possibilities nowadays.
All pregnant women, women who are planning a pregnancy or cannot rule out a pregnancy should avoid visiting a Zika endemic area.
All current information about the status of Zika can be found here: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/zika-information
Please talk to your Gynecologist before you book a trip if you are not sure.
We suggest to all the women who plan a pregnancy to have a check by their dentist in order to avoid any emergencies during the pregnancy.
We are happy to inform you in further details in one of our practises!