Q: My husband I want to begin a family. What are some tips to lay the foundation for a healthy conception and pregnancy?
A: Congratulations! This is a major and exciting step that paves the way for a brand new person to come into this world. It introduces a different perspective, full of considerations, responsibilities and decisions that may have never entered your mind before. Suddenly, the choices you make today not only affect you, but the life of your future child.
If you have not yet established a relationship with an obstetrician/gynecologist, this would be a good time to do so. Your provider can walk you through the conception process - what days you are most fertile, what nutritional habits are conducive to a healthy pregnancy, what medications could be a concern and what lifestyle/environmental factors need to be taken into consideration.
Here are just few key things to keep in mind for a healthy conception and pregnancy:
Nutrition and Weight Management
During pre-conception and throughout your entire life, this should be an area of focus. Eating foods rich in folic acid, vitamin C and calcium, limiting your fats and sweets, and eating balanced meals rich in fruit and vegetables are good habits to develop and maintain throughout your pregnancy. You should already be taking a multi-vitamin supplement daily. Check to make sure it contains 400 micrograms of folic acid, which is needed for healthy brain and spinal cord development of a fetus.
Ideally, a mom-to-be should be at her healthy body weight before she conceives. Excess weight can lead to complications when pregnant; however, dieting while trying to conceive can deprive the body of some very essential vitamins and minerals. As always, be cautious of severe or radical diets.
Strength and Fitness
A strong, physically fit body is better prepared to carry a baby through pregnancy. Appropriate exercise helps on a number of levels. It can reduce your risk of backaches and varicose veins during pregnancy, and it can help with weight management before, during and after pregnancy. Talk to your physicians about what types of exercise are safe for you and your baby.
Hazard Avoidance
Exposing yourself to chemicals and other hazardous materials can reduce fertility. During pregnancy, it can also impose a threat to your baby. Lead, asbestos, chemical fumes, insecticides, strong household cleaners and paint fumes are all environmental factors that you should avoid handling or breathing. When in doubt, talk to your physician or pharmacist to see if something in your environment poses a health threat.
Keep your body temperature in check. Hot tubs, electric blankets, heating pads and strenuous exercise can all lead to a high body temperature.
Most birth defects occur in the first three months of pregnancy when the organs are forming, so avoid smoking (even second hand), alcohol consumption, or illicit drug use if you are trying to conceive. During the first few weeks (often before a mother is aware she is pregnant) an embryo is most vulnerable to teratogens, the substances that cause birth defects. If you have an addiction, get help to quit before you try to conceive. Smoking not only reduces fertility, but it is harmful to you and your baby. All street drugs pose a danger to the health and life of a fetus.
Medical Concerns
It's wise to address any minor or major health problems prior to conception. You should have a complete gynecological exam, which may include testing for sexually transmitted diseases. During this visit, you and your provider can also discuss the safety implications of any medications, herbs and dietary supplements you are taking. If you need any immunizations, x-rays or dental work done in the near future, you should schedule these before you are pregnant. However, it is safe for pregnant women to get a flu shot, receive dental care and tetanus shot.
Conception
While some couples prefer to let nature take its course, others want the option of knowing which days are most favorable for conception. To begin, track your menstruation cycle-which day your period begins and the number of days between the first day of each period (how long your cycle is). Pinpointing which days you are most fertile can be a challenge without individual consideration. For instance, if you have a 28-day cycle, you will generally ovulate on day 14. If you have a 35-day cycle, you will generally ovulate on day 21. The variation is in the first part of the cycle, prior to ovulation. As a general rule, your period will begin 14 days after ovulation.
Fertility lasts about 48 hours prior to ovulation. Sperm can live up to 72 hours, which gives you a window of about five days prior to ovulation when intercourse could lead to conception.
A key piece of advice I offer couples who are trying to conceive is to just relax. Conception, even if strategic, shouldn't be a chore that needs to be crossed off a "to do" list by a certain date. Besides, stress can reduce your chances of becoming pregnant. It is important to have realistic expectations as you embark on this exciting journey. There is no reason to be frustrated if your first attempts to conceive don't immediately result in pregnancy. Remember, conception is the beginning of a new life that will change yours forever.
- John Bazley, MD, is an obstetrician and gynecologist at Monroe Clinic. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Bazley, call Monroe Clinic's Women's Health Center at (608) 324-2250.
A: Congratulations! This is a major and exciting step that paves the way for a brand new person to come into this world. It introduces a different perspective, full of considerations, responsibilities and decisions that may have never entered your mind before. Suddenly, the choices you make today not only affect you, but the life of your future child.
If you have not yet established a relationship with an obstetrician/gynecologist, this would be a good time to do so. Your provider can walk you through the conception process - what days you are most fertile, what nutritional habits are conducive to a healthy pregnancy, what medications could be a concern and what lifestyle/environmental factors need to be taken into consideration.
Here are just few key things to keep in mind for a healthy conception and pregnancy:
Nutrition and Weight Management
During pre-conception and throughout your entire life, this should be an area of focus. Eating foods rich in folic acid, vitamin C and calcium, limiting your fats and sweets, and eating balanced meals rich in fruit and vegetables are good habits to develop and maintain throughout your pregnancy. You should already be taking a multi-vitamin supplement daily. Check to make sure it contains 400 micrograms of folic acid, which is needed for healthy brain and spinal cord development of a fetus.
Ideally, a mom-to-be should be at her healthy body weight before she conceives. Excess weight can lead to complications when pregnant; however, dieting while trying to conceive can deprive the body of some very essential vitamins and minerals. As always, be cautious of severe or radical diets.
Strength and Fitness
A strong, physically fit body is better prepared to carry a baby through pregnancy. Appropriate exercise helps on a number of levels. It can reduce your risk of backaches and varicose veins during pregnancy, and it can help with weight management before, during and after pregnancy. Talk to your physicians about what types of exercise are safe for you and your baby.
Hazard Avoidance
Exposing yourself to chemicals and other hazardous materials can reduce fertility. During pregnancy, it can also impose a threat to your baby. Lead, asbestos, chemical fumes, insecticides, strong household cleaners and paint fumes are all environmental factors that you should avoid handling or breathing. When in doubt, talk to your physician or pharmacist to see if something in your environment poses a health threat.
Keep your body temperature in check. Hot tubs, electric blankets, heating pads and strenuous exercise can all lead to a high body temperature.
Most birth defects occur in the first three months of pregnancy when the organs are forming, so avoid smoking (even second hand), alcohol consumption, or illicit drug use if you are trying to conceive. During the first few weeks (often before a mother is aware she is pregnant) an embryo is most vulnerable to teratogens, the substances that cause birth defects. If you have an addiction, get help to quit before you try to conceive. Smoking not only reduces fertility, but it is harmful to you and your baby. All street drugs pose a danger to the health and life of a fetus.
Medical Concerns
It's wise to address any minor or major health problems prior to conception. You should have a complete gynecological exam, which may include testing for sexually transmitted diseases. During this visit, you and your provider can also discuss the safety implications of any medications, herbs and dietary supplements you are taking. If you need any immunizations, x-rays or dental work done in the near future, you should schedule these before you are pregnant. However, it is safe for pregnant women to get a flu shot, receive dental care and tetanus shot.
Conception
While some couples prefer to let nature take its course, others want the option of knowing which days are most favorable for conception. To begin, track your menstruation cycle-which day your period begins and the number of days between the first day of each period (how long your cycle is). Pinpointing which days you are most fertile can be a challenge without individual consideration. For instance, if you have a 28-day cycle, you will generally ovulate on day 14. If you have a 35-day cycle, you will generally ovulate on day 21. The variation is in the first part of the cycle, prior to ovulation. As a general rule, your period will begin 14 days after ovulation.
Fertility lasts about 48 hours prior to ovulation. Sperm can live up to 72 hours, which gives you a window of about five days prior to ovulation when intercourse could lead to conception.
A key piece of advice I offer couples who are trying to conceive is to just relax. Conception, even if strategic, shouldn't be a chore that needs to be crossed off a "to do" list by a certain date. Besides, stress can reduce your chances of becoming pregnant. It is important to have realistic expectations as you embark on this exciting journey. There is no reason to be frustrated if your first attempts to conceive don't immediately result in pregnancy. Remember, conception is the beginning of a new life that will change yours forever.
- John Bazley, MD, is an obstetrician and gynecologist at Monroe Clinic. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Bazley, call Monroe Clinic's Women's Health Center at (608) 324-2250.
