The period of pregnancy planning in a woman is called pregravid preparation. The prefix βpreβ in this term means the preceding of something. And the Latin word gravida translates as "pregnant." Further in the article we will consider the main points that are included in the planning. How to start preparing for pregnancy?
Main elements
At the beginning of planning, it is first necessary to predict the timing. Pregravid preparation for pregnancy is usually carried out about six months before conception. It consists of such events:
- Examination of both spouses.
- Preparing for conception.
- Prediction of favorable days for the onset of ovulation.
Doctors Visit
Where to start preparing for pregnancy? Of course, from a visit to specialists. The first doctor that every woman planning a pregnancy should visit is a therapist. You should contact him to examine the body and identify some possible chronic diseases (anemia, kidney disease, hypertension). Before you start preparing for pregnancy, you must provide a urine and blood test to measure blood pressure, chest X-rays do. If any chronic diseases already exist, you should contact the appropriate specialist. The main thing is not allowed to conceive during an exacerbation of such diseases. When using any drugs, you need to inform the doctor about this, since some drugs are strictly contraindicated during pregnancy.
The main doctor who will conduct a study of the genitals before conception is a gynecologist. This specialist can not only clarify the need for certain measures, but also help prevent the likely difficulties that preparation for pregnancy can be associated with (after a dead or abortion, for example).
In addition, it should be tested for the presence of infections and to determine the need for blood testing for herpes, rubella, hepatitis B, syphilis, toxoplasmosis. These diseases can be in the body, without any manifestation. Also, do not forget about the dentist, as teeth during pregnancy are destroyed due to a lack of calcium in the body. To prevent the infection from reaching the child, they should be treated before ovulation.
For women whose age exceeds 35 years, and for those who have had genetic abnormalities or radiation in the family, the consultation of a geneticist should be an integral element, which includes preparing for pregnancy.
Vitamins
For the correct formation and development of the child, the mother's body must contain a certain amount of useful compounds. Unfortunately, not all of them can be obtained with food. Therefore, pondering where to start preparing for pregnancy, a woman should not forget about trace elements. This is especially true for those whose body has been subjected to long diets, smoking, vegetarianism and other influences. The daily dose of these substances should be prescribed by your doctor. In no case do you need to listen to friends who used certain vitamins during pregnancy. The dosage is prescribed individually and depends on the specific organism. In the opposite case, a glut of these substances may occur, which leads to negative consequences.
Folic acid
This substance is prescribed to almost all women in preparation for pregnancy. Folic acid is actively involved in the growth of nerve tissue. The duration of its admission is three months before the planned conception. Also, folic acid can be taken in the first trimester of pregnancy, as it can protect the fetus from abnormalities in the central nervous system development.
The daily dosage of folic acid is 400 mcg. That is how much it contains multivitamin preparations intended for pregnant women. In addition to folic acid, other beneficial substances are also part of them. If a woman lives in places with iodine deficiency, 100 ΞΌg of potassium iodide should be added to the complex . If a woman has had abortions or childbirth in the previous two years, her body needs iron supplements.
Preparing for pregnancy. Food. Healthy lifestyle
A few months before the planned conception, you need to avoid products that contain preservatives, dyes and other harmful substances. It is also necessary to introduce a strict ban on alcohol.
Considering the question of where to start preparing for pregnancy, special attention should also be paid to the lifestyle of the future mother. So, first of all it is recommended to limit the stay in crowded places, as in this case significantly increases the risk of contracting any infection.
If possible, hypothermia should be avoided, because a cold at the initial stage of pregnancy can infect the fetus. Immunity can be enhanced by eating onions and garlic.
A month before conception, you need to try not to overheat the body, do not visit the sauna. Regular walks in the fresh air are recommended, preferably away from highways. Such places are squares, parks, forests and others.
Exercises
The physical condition of a woman is essential in the matter of where to start preparing for pregnancy. It must be remembered that in the prenatal period, a large load on the spine is created. This is due to a significant increase in weight. Therefore, it is recommended to strengthen the abdominal and back muscles in advance with a set of exercises. They can also be used as a prevention of flat feet, to improve the tone of the pelvic floor muscles and the resulting development of thighs. By performing these exercises daily can ease pregnancy and childbirth, as well as accelerate the process of returning to the original shape after the birth. Physical training will provide an opportunity to get around the problem of excess weight side to avoid varicose veins, stretch marks, tears during childbirth.
Disease treatment
A certain group of infections can negatively affect the development of the child or the pregnancy process. And although almost all of them have no symptoms and proceed unnoticed, their consequences are very serious. For example, rubella or toxoplasmosis, which took place in childhood, almost do not pose a threat to the mother. However, infection with such diseases during pregnancy can easily lead to infection of the baby. Herpes and cytomegalovirus, which most people are exposed to, often do not manifest themselves, and their viruses do not multiply, but with an exacerbation of these diseases during intrauterine development, the fetus can become infected. The greatest danger is the penetration of infection in the first trimester of pregnancy. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct examinations for these pathologies in advance and, if they are detected, conduct appropriate treatment.
Vaccinations
Before conception, it is very important to vaccinate against certain diseases. These include rubella. In the event that it does not hurt a woman, should be 2-3 months before anticipated pregnancy to be vaccinated, even if antibodies are found at a blood test. Currently, all of the vaccine against rubella is absolutely harmless, provide almost perfect result and produce immunity from the disease for more than 20 years. If vaccination has not been carried out before, it is forbidden to do it during pregnancy, since it is possible to infect the fetus with this virus. In the case of planning conception at the beginning of winter, a woman is recommended to vaccinate herself against influenza. All medical examinations, various types of injections and any manipulation pose a significant risk for infection with hepatitis B. It is therefore not at all be superfluous to spend and this vaccination.