If you are planning to have a baby, getting ready begins even before you become pregnant. By following the suggestions on this checklist before you conceive, you can help to ensure a healthy pregnancy and a healthy, happy baby.
For Both Parents
Visit your health care provider at least once. This is the time to talk about your medical history, ask questions, and find out if any tests are recommended. This pre-conception visit is especially important if you have had major health problems or problems with a previous pregnancy.
Stop using birth control. If you have been using birth control pills, your provider can tell you how long to wait before trying to conceive. However, birth control pills will not cause birth defects, no matter how close to conception you stop using them. If you have been using an IUD, have it removed before trying to conceive. If pregnancy occurs with an IUD in place, it can be harmful.
Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, drinking caffeine to excess, or taking street drugs. There is scientific evidence that all these substances, used by the mother, can cause problems with the pregnancy and even birth defects. If you are taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs, be sure to tell your provider. Avoid toxic substances, chemicals, and radiation at home or at work. Exposure to these by either partner can make it more difficult to become pregnant and can harm the fetus.
Ask your parents if there is a family history of problem pregnancies or birth defects. If you have reason to be concerned about a genetic disorder or inherited disease, you may want to consult a genetics specialist.
For Women Only
Try to achieve your normal weight before attempting to conceive. It's important not to be underweight or overweight during pregnancy. Underweight women tend to have smaller babies, who have more problems during labor and after delivery. Overweight women are more likely to develop high blood pressure or diabetes during pregnancy. Don't diet during pregnancy, however, or while you are trying to become pregnant.
Make sure to get enough of the B vitamin (folic acid) on a daily basis. Suggested dosage for a non-pregnant woman is 0.4 mg.; and for a pregnant woman is 0.8 - 1.0 mg. Studies have shown that birth defects of the spine and brain, such as spina bifida and anencephaly, can occur if the mother does not get sufficient folic acid during the first few weeks of her pregnancy. Folic acid is contained in many foods and in multivitamin supplements. Discuss it with your health care provider.
If you have diabetes, make sure it is being treated. Although women with insulin-dependent diabetes have a higher risk of miscarriage and of having a baby with a birth defect, if the blood sugar is controlled before and during pregnancy, chances for delivering a healthy baby are excellent.
If you have not had rubella, it may be advisable to be vaccinated prior to becoming pregnant. If you do get vaccinated, you should delay trying to get pregnant for three months. You should not get vaccinated during pregnancy. If contracted during pregnancy, rubella can cause birth defects. Avoid eating undercooked meat or handling cat litter. These are known sources of toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that can seriously affect the fetus.
Source: March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. Permission is granted to reproduce this information with credit line.
