Preconceptual
Health
Establishing Good Habits
lanning
to become pregnant is like planning to go on a wonderful, long-anticipated
adventure. It is a special time, full of hopes and dreams. Yet it is
also a reflective time, full of preparations and decisions. You and
your partner probably have a lot of questions about what you should,
or should not, do to prepare yourselves for parenthood. We hope to answer
your questions. And when the right time comes, we hope you'll hear those
eagerly awaited words: You're pregnant!
It's
also a good idea to let your health care provider know that you're thinking
of becoming pregnant. Discuss possible risks with her or him and use
this opportunity to ask questions about what you can do to give your
unborn baby the best possible beginning.
Good preconceptual
health needs to be a priority of both parents. Taking care of
yourselves both physically and emotionally will provide a more positive
environment for you and your baby. Being in good preconceptual health
simply means maintaining a healthy lifestyle before you conceive a child
together. For once conception occurs, fetal development starts. Did
you know, for example, that during the first month of life your baby's
head, trunk, and buds that will later become your baby's arms and legs
start to form? And that by the 25th day of life, your baby's heart begins
to beat?
There
is nothing mysterious about how to maintain a healthy lifestyle –
eat a well-balanced diet; exercise regularly; keep away from environmental
toxins; and eliminate cigarettes, alcohol, and illegal drugs from your
life. Drugs, tobacco and alcohol can have a devastating effect on fetal
development and need to be stopped now. Other changes such as exercising,
eating healthy and cutting back on caffeine can be made more gradually.
The solution is to work on one goal at a time and support each other's
efforts. Keep in mind that since there is a higher likelihood of success
when changes are made slowly, give yourself some time to accomplish
your goals. Finally, know that you are not alone. There are very few
couples who do not have to make some kind of change in their
lifestyle to prepare for pregnancy. Just keep reminding yourself of
the reason for all these changes: a healthy baby!
From the very beginning
of your baby's life, he or she will be entirely dependent on you for
proper nourishment and good health. Let's talk about what can interfere
with your ability to provide these things:
Drugs
and Alcohol: Would you give a baby an alcoholic beverage
or a recreational drug? Of course not! Drugs and alcohol are known teratogens,
which means that they are known to cause birth defects and miscarriages.
Support groups are available to you and your partner to help stop the
use of drugs and/or alcohol. It is a sign of strength, not weakness,
to ask for help. Look in the "white pages" section of your
phone book and call Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous for
information on a local support group. They are confidential, non-profit
organizations where anyone looking for help is welcome.
Prescription
Medications: According to the American College of Obstetrics
and Gynecology (ACOG), it is best not to take any medications while
you are pregnant. This doesn't mean, however, that you should abruptly
take yourself off medicine that has been prescribed for you. It does
mean to check with your health care provider about the benefits and
risks involved; then make a decision together.
Cigarettes:
Pregnancy is a wonderful motivator to quit smoking. If you smoke, now
is the time to stop. Nicotine is a highly addictive drug. It's a vasoconstricter,
which means it causes blood vessels to narrow. This causes less oxygen
and nourishment to reach the fetus. That's why pregnant women who smoke
have a greater percentage of underweight babies, premature births, miscarriages
and other complications than pregnant women who do not smoke.
Environmental
Toxins:
Examples of environmental toxins are: pesticides; defoliants; industrial
chemicals and high levels of ionizing radiation (from X-rays). These
agents are suspected of causing cancer, genetic defects, miscarriages
and other problems. (This does not apply to low levels of radiation
from television sets, video display terminals and microwaves). Toxins
can also have an effect on male fertility by killing or damaging sperm.
This is the time to think about toxin use at home, such as lawn products,
as well as those used in your work environment. The Office of Safety
and Health Association (OSHA) has guidelines that all employers must
meet. You can check with your state OSHA agency to obtain this information.
If you have any questions about your particular situation, call your
health care provider.
Caffeine:
If you are a heavy coffee drinker, this is a good time to begin reducing
your caffeine intake. Keep in mind that caffeine is found not only in
coffee, but in tea, chocolate, cola drinks and some medications as well.
Caffeine crosses
over the placenta and in high doses can affect the fetus' breathing
and heart rate. With so many waters, juices and caffeine-free cola drinks
on the market, reducing your caffeine intake should be easy.
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