Verified by Dr. Sandip Sonara
Advanced gynec Laparoscopic & Gynec Onco Surgeon
Women enter a new life when they expect it. With this extremely joyous feeling, there are certainly many things that are worthy of concern before delivery. The very first thing to consider is the weight, which can be over or under. Both conditions can create complications. For example, an overweight woman can face miscarriage, fetal irregularities, and high blood pressure, whereas an underweight pregnancy can lead to uncomforting labor and birth. All in all, weight monitoring is significant for someone who is expecting a child.
But managing weight is complicated. A human being is connected to food psychologically and emotionally. So, losing it can be an uphill battle. Here, the right pregnancy care plan can help. A certified and experienced nutritionist or gynecologist can understand the root cause of any complication in pregnancy that impacts her weight. Accordingly, she or he can provide the best plan and assistance for a safe and healthy pregnancy.
A pregnancy plan usually consists of multiple things. Here, we’re going to discuss everything important and must be in the pregnancy plan.
The Role of Folate
Folate (folic acid) refers to vitamin B that can be found in peas, wholegrain wheat, some fresh fruits, etc. Folic acid is a synthetic vitamin that can be consumed as a supplement, a powder, or a tablet.
Folate, or folic acid, is a vital nutrient that you cannot skip, especially when you are pregnant for three months. It helps the baby get rid of neural tube defects (spina bifida). Simply put, such women should have green leafy vegetables, cereals, fruits, dried beans, and peas. Typically, a woman who is likely to conceive should consume 0.5mg of folic acid a day for one month and the first three months after conceiving.
During consultation, you should share the family history of spina bifida or cleft palate and epilepsy medication, if there is any. Your doctor should know about your medical history so that he or she can discover how high or low the doses of folic acid are.
The next thing is the health check, which should be mentioned in the plan.
Pre-pregnancy health checks
1. Cervical Screening Test (CST): This is related to the pain in or around your spine. Its examination is a must so that the pregnancy can be safe.
2. Breast Check: It is necessary to examine if there are any lumps in the breast. It should be included in the pregnancy plan as part of the monthly check-up.
3. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): You should disclose this kind of infection before pregnancy so that it can be treated before turning severe.
4. Dental check-up: Doctors recommend a dental check-up before conceiving. It ensures your safety because a small dental infection can cause hormonal and eating habits.
Pregnancy can badly impact your dental health because it is the time when your hormones and eating habits change. You may experience morning sickness, reflux, or acidity because of this type of infection.
5. Medical conditions: Any medical condition that can be a major concern must be timely scanned for a successful pregnancy. These can be high blood pressure, diabetes, epilepsy, anemia, kidney problems, asthma, or heart or liver disorders. In case of any bone-related injury, you have to consult with a certified chiropractor or physiotherapist because it can affect your pregnancy.
Certain gynecological conditions, such as fibroids, polycystic ovarian syndrome, pelvic inflammatory disease, and endometriosis, maybe a big concern during pregnancy. So, your plan should include monitoring these conditions. Accordingly, he or she can recommend cervical or uterine surgery. Besides, previous incidents of miscarriages should be disclosed to further proceed with the medical plan.
6. Medicines: As aforementioned, it is necessary to share your medical history. Likewise, discuss all medications or supplements that you’re on before conceiving. Your gynecologist discovers their impact and, hence, suggests accordingly.
7. Mental health: If you have any illness related to your brain, open up about it with your doctor so that the psychological impact can be managed during pregnancy or afterward.
Lifestyle Considerations
Besides healthcare, certain lifestyle changes are a must. In many cases, people do not discover that they are suffering from a lifestyle disease like diabetes. This is why pre-pregnancy care is recommended in the pregnancy plan. Similarly, you cannot avoid these lifestyle considerations.
1. Stress Management
Pregnancy and childbirth can bring a lot of stress. This can happen because of work, housing, and financial security. Additionally, a familial history of violence or sexual harassment can trigger anxiety with the stress of being an expecting mother. Previous experiences can burden your heart, which should be offloaded. In this case, talking with your doctor, midwife, or counselor can also be helpful. So, your pregnancy healthcare plan should also include stress management.
2. Abadon or Limit Alcohol Intake
Alcohol can be dangerous, especially when you are conceiving. So, it is advised to restrict its intake because taking it in abundance, specifically in the first three to four months, can adversely impact the mind and health of babies. It may also retard their growth. And men should also reduce taking it because it can reduce sperm counts.
3. Prohibit Cigarettes
Smoking cigarettes can be harmful, especially for an unborn baby. It can also impact fertility in both men and women. Also, excessive smoking can increase the chances of miscarriage. Some expecting mothers continue to smoke, which adversely affects the health and size of the baby. Passive smoking is also bad. So, it’s suggested that you stay away from your smoking partner if you are pregnant.
4. Recreational and illegal drugs
Recreational drugs are harmful for the health of the expecting mother and the baby. Some people use drugs, such as marijuana and anabolic steroids, that may reduce sperm counts and also negatively impact sexual life.
Vaccinations Suggestions
1. German measles
Also called Rubella, measles is a viral infection. It can cause abnormalities in a child who is yet to be born, especially when you are 20 weeks pregnant. In medical terms, these abnormalities can be recognized as developmental delay, blindness or congenital cataracts, enlarged spleen or liver, and even the death of the child. If this infection is detected within the first 16 weeks of conceiving, the medical plan can suggest that you abort or terminate that pregnancy. All in all, the first 11 months are critical when you may not discover that you are pregnant. Therefore, it is crucial to get vaccinated before pregnancy.
However, some may have been vaccinated before. The vaccination may not make you immune to it for a lifetime. So, even if you have been vaccinated before, you should get this vaccine. However, your doctor can recommend that you get a sample of your blood test. It can help you learn if you’re immune to it or not. If you require vaccination, get it before 28 days of conception.
2. Chickenpox
Chickenpox is a hazardous health condition, which used to be life-threatening a few decades back. Fortunately, we have medicine today to make people immune to it. Some of our parents have been infected with this virus. And later on, they might be vaccinated. So, they survived and fought this virus. You may also be vaccinated in your childhood. To check if you are immune to it, get your blood test done. And if your test shows a negative result, you can go for its vaccination. It should be received at least 28 days before pregnancy.
3. COVID-19 vaccination
Since 2019, COVID-19 has been hazardous. But, its vaccines are available now. Your doctor can prescribe vaccines like the Pfizer vaccine (Cominarty) and Moderna vaccine (Spikevax). These are very effective during pregnancy. You can discuss with your healthcare provider its benefits and rare potential risks.
5. Flu vaccination
Flu is common, and pregnant women can find it difficult to beat this virus. It can also create some health-related complications during pregnancy. You should know that the flu is a viral infection whose virus changes frequently. Therefore, your healthcare practitioner should be updated about it. The vaccination against it can act as a protective shield while protecting babies against it in the first six months. You should remember that there is no particular stage for this vaccination. It can be given at any time. Flu Vaccination can help you get rid of this infection. Some patients may observe some side effects, which can be addressed through a prescribed medicine.
5. Whooping cough
Whooping cough or pertussis can be troublesome. Its vaccination’s effect does not last a lifetime. Many adults catch it easily because their vaccination has become over a decade old. They need vaccination to attain immunity against it. Adults can request a booster shot to ensure that they are immune to whooping cough. For pregnant women, it is also suggested to have it to save you and your baby from this severe infection.
6. Pregnancy and flu
Your healthcare plan when you conceive should include immunization against the flu (influenza virus). The doctor should tell them about the increased risk and consequences.
Conclusion
The aforementioned points and suggestions can help you seek a pregnancy care plan as per the prescription of medical experts. You can consult with a gynecologist and seek a plan that can help you have a healthy and successful pregnancy.