The importance of pre-pregnancy checkups and vaccinations

Thoughtful preparation for pregnancy is a way for you to be proactive and have a healthy pregnancy. The doctor will advise and treat you promptly some diseases to increase the ability to conceive, a healthy baby.

What to prepare before pregnancy? This is the question of many people before wanting to have children. Pre-pregnancy check-ups, health checks and immunizations are important in helping couples determine their fertility. If there is a disease, the doctor will advise and treat promptly to increase the ability to conceive, prevent adverse effects on the fetus and ensure health during pregnancy. Please join aFamilyToday Health to follow the below sharing to know what you need to prepare before becoming pregnant.

Pharmaceutical and allergies

Your doctor will want to know if you have allergies and what medications (prescription and over-the-counter), vitamins, herbs, or supplements are taking.

You should make a complete list of the medicines you are taking (how much and how often). You can take the bottle with you when you visit your doctor.

This information will help your doctor know if you are taking things that are not safe for the fetus and make sure you are not taking too much. For example, what can an overdose of a vitamin cause for the pregnant woman and the fetus?

If you have not taken folic acid yet, your doctor will advise you to take 400mcg per day. You must start taking it at least one month before getting pregnant. Taking folic acid before conception can reduce your baby's risk of birth defects like spina bifida.

Vaccination before pregnancy

Certain illnesses acquired during pregnancy put the baby at risk for serious birth defects or other complications. Therefore, bring your vaccination record with you (if you have one) so your doctor knows which vaccines you should get more.

Here are some vaccines that doctors usually order:

Measles, rubella: If there is no evidence proving that you are immune to measles, you will be tested. You need to wait a month after the injection to conceive.

Chickenpox: If you have not had chickenpox or have been immunized, you will be immunized. Chickenpox vaccine requires 2 doses, 4 to 8 weeks apart. You will need to wait a month after the injection before you can get pregnant.

Tdap vaccine, a 3-in-1 vaccine, prevents tetanus and diphtheria.

Flu vaccine (if it is flu season).

If you are younger than 26 years old and have not received the HPV injection, your doctor may recommend that you get it right away.

Hepatitis B. If you have not been vaccinated and are at risk of the disease.

Let your doctor know if you plan to travel abroad during the near future or during your pregnancy. While you are traveling abroad, you may be required to have some additional vaccines, some of which are not safe for pregnant women.

Life style

Your doctor will review your diet to make sure you are providing all the nutrients your body needs. If you don't exercise regularly, your doctor will recommend that you do it right away. If you are overweight or underweight, your doctor will help you plan to achieve a moderate weight before pregnancy.

Your doctor will also advise you on foods to avoid such as certain types of fish high in mercury and how to avoid infections such as lister and toxoplasmosis, which can cause problems in your baby. In addition, your doctor may advise you to avoid unpasteurized milk or cheese, raw fish, raw meat or eggs, and some junk food.

Your doctor recommends that you limit your intake of coffee and tea because some studies show that too much caffeine can affect the health of your unborn baby.

Your doctor will also learn about smoking, alcohol or drug use habits. If you need help quitting smoking, drinking alcohol or any other type of addiction, talk to your doctor for help.

Your doctor will also want to know if you or your husband live and work in places that contain dangerous toxins. Some toxins can be dangerous to the unborn baby.

Your doctor will ask you if you use a hot tub and sauna. An increase in body temperature during early pregnancy can interfere with your baby's development. It can also make it difficult for you to get pregnant.

Your doctor may recommend that you pay attention to your oral hygiene. Your gums are more likely to become inflamed during pregnancy. Therefore, brushing and flossing is especially important. Some studies show that women with severe gum disease have an increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight.

Genetic testing before pregnancy

Your doctor will order genetic tests to find out if you or your husband is a genetic carrier of serious diseases such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease ... If both you and your husband are at risk The chance of the baby getting sick is 25%.

You can meet a geneticist who can tell you more about the risks and help with fertility choices. This can help ensure healthy development of the baby.

General examination and gynecology

Your doctor can do the following:

Head-to-toe physical exam, including height, weight and blood pressure measurement.

Inspect your genital area for damage or infection.

Check for vaginal bacteria if you experience unusual bleeding, itching, or burning.

Insert a medical instrument into the vagina to check the cervix and vagina.

Pap smear (if it has been more than a year since the last test) to check for cervical cancer or abnormal cell changes to screen for gonorrhea and chlamydia infection.

Examine the pelvic area by inserting a finger into the vagina and examining the ovaries, uterus, and cervix.

Urine test

Your doctor may order a urine sample. If you have sugar in your urine, you will have a glucose tolerance test to check for diabetes. Uncontrolled blood sugar can have serious consequences for a developing child. So if you have diabetes, you should see a diabetes specialist before getting pregnant.

If you have symptoms of a urinary tract infection (such as burning pain or pain when urinating), your urine sample will be sent to the lab for closer examination.

Blood tests

Your doctor may order:

Get a complete blood count test to see if you need an iron supplement. Pregnancy can cause iron deficiency anemia

Have a blood test if you need to check if you have antibodies to measles or chickenpox

Check for syphilis

Get tested for HIV

Get tested for herpes if your husband has a history of the disease but you have never had one

Get tested for hepatitis B if you are at risk for the disease. If you don't have antibodies, you can get the vaccine before getting pregnant.

Don't be ashamed to ask questions because thanks to these questions your doctor can give you good advice and refer you to the expert advice you need.

The mistake of many couples is to have a baby when not planning anything about their health. Therefore, to ensure that your baby is born healthy and develops normally, do not forget to take a check-up as well as vaccination before pregnancy.