Before Conception

There are a number of things you can do before you conceive to increase your chances of having a healthy baby.

Why is it a good idea to plan your pregnancy before it happens?

It allows you to make healthy choices that are good for you and your baby. Remember, you may be pregnant several weeks before you know it. Before 13 weeks of pregnancy, birth defect risk is greatest.

Preconception planning with a healthcare provider allows you to

• Manage maternal health conditions that can be worsened with pregnancy and affect your baby
• Avoid dangerous substances and substitute or stop harmful medications
• Start daily vitamins with folic acid to prevent brain and spine defects
• Adopt a healthy lifestyle

Once you decide to get pregnant, act as if you are pregnant!

Before pregnancy it is always a good idea to follow these recommendations and speak with your doctor.

• Have a thorough physical examination.
  Get a good medical and dental checkup and fix any problems. Let your doctor know you're planning to become pregnant. Your doctor will make sure you're in good general health, look over your medical history and discuss any special concerns with you.

• Have your doctor check your immunization records.
  Some contagious diseases can be especially dangerous to your baby if you get sick while pregnant. You should be vaccinated against most of these diseases already - but it's important to make sure that all your immunizations are up to date. Update your shots, especially chicken pox and rubella (German measles). Some of the diseases known to cause particular harm to pregnant women include:
  • Measles
  • Rubella (German measles)
• Start taking prenatal vitamins.
  Some birth defects, like spina bifida, have been linked to nutritional deficiencies early in pregnancy. Take a vitamin with folic acid & omega 3 fatty acids 3 months before. For that reason, it's important to eat healthy, well-balanced meals once you start trying to conceive - and taking prenatal vitamins is a good way to make sure you get enough vitamins and minerals. Ask your doctor for a prescription.

• Consider genetic counseling.
  You might want to consider genetic counseling if you or your partner has a family history of genetic disease. Click to visit the UT Developmental and Genetics Center. Ask your doctor for a referral if you think you might need genetic counseling.

• Eat a healthy diet from the 4 basic food groups. Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Avoid fish with a high mercury content
  • Avoid undercooked meat

• Avoid cat litter and gardening without gloves.

• Reduce stress with daily exercise.

• Stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke.

• Stop alcohol and illicit drugs! Limit caffeine to 1-2 drinks/day.

• Control diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure and seizure disorders.

• Avoid toxic substances and chemicals (father of the baby, too).

• Get radiation tests (mammograms, too) before attempting pregnancy.

• Limit all unnecessary over the counter medicines; stop herbal products.

• Tell all of your healthcare providers that you are planning a pregnancy.

• Select a doctor and a facility; understand your insurance benefits.

• Ask your healthcare provider to see a high risk pregnancy specialist if you have medical, gynecological or inherited disorders, are 35 years or older or have a poor pregnancy history.

A qualified genetic counselor will take detailed family histories from you and your partner. You may undergo genetic testing, usually in the form of a blood test, to determine whether you carry a gene that could cause a genetic disease or disorder. Your counselor will evaluate the results of these tests and help you determine your risk.

With this information, you'll be able to make an informed decision about having a child. If you do decide to get pregnant, you may want to consider prenatal testing.

Stay on a good birth control method until you are ready for a healthy pregnancy. Seek early prenatal care with a positive pregnancy test.