After a lot of discussions and soul searching my partner and I have decided to have a baby, our first.  I’m so excited; I’ve been told that the miracle of birth can be the one most rewarding experiences I’ll ever experience.  There’s a lot to think; I want to give this little miracle the best start I possibly can.  How do I know if my body’s ready for a baby?

The first thing I did was talk to my doctor; we discussed the possibility of becoming pregnant.

My doctor started by giving me a complete check-up.  This included a series of blood tests to check for abnormalities such as anemia.  He said that my ethnic background would dictate other tests to be done.  For example, People of African or Mediterranean descent may be tested for sickle cell anemia since they are most at risk.

The doctor also checked my blood pressure.  The doctor explained that high blood pressure during pregnancy can cause organs to fail and ultimately lead to preeclampsia (toxemia); which can be dangerous to both me and my unborn baby.  Wow, I need to make sure I get my blood pressure under control before I conceive.

The doctor took a urine sample and asked me if I had any symptoms of a urinary tract infection; he explained that there are many problems such as miscarriages, low birth weight and premature labor that can be attributed to urinary tract infections (UTI).

We discussed preexisting conditions that ran in my family.  The doctor explained that people who have conditions such as epilepsy or asthma may need to adjust their treatment regime; some medications can’t be taken during pregnancy.  My doctor checked to make sure that I had all of my vaccinations.  Diseases such as rubella and chicken pox can lead to severe birth defects and miscarriages so it was important to get those vaccinations before getting pregnant.  I need to get the rubella vaccine (ouch) but will have to wait at least a month before conceiving since the rubella inoculation contains a live virus.

We then talked about the many screening tests available for diseases/conditions such as HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and Chlamydia.  These tests vary from person to person; we talked about my lifestyle and family history as these factors determined which screening tests need to be carried out.  He asked me if there were any genetic disorders that ran in my family such as lupus, diabetes or Down’s syndrome.   I was screened for parasitic infections like toxoplasmosis.  The doctor said that the infection is relatively harmless to me as an adult but can have a tremendous impact on my developing fetus; it can lead to neurological disorders and even stillbirth.

Lifestyle Changes:  In order to have a healthy pregnancy I’m going to have to make some lifestyle changes.

I need to get rid of those bad habits.  The doctor explained that if I were smoking or drinking alcohol; I would have to quit before planning to become pregnant.  Studies have shown that women who smoke during pregnancy have babies with lower birth weight.  Babies with low birth weights have a higher chance of developing an illness or disability.  I’m really going to need to cut down on the amount of coffee I drink; some studies have shown that women who ingest more than 300mg of caffeine a day have a 27% lower fertility rate.  Higher caffeine intake can also increase the risk of miscarriage.  Better to play it safe than be sorry later

The doctor advised me to consider taking prenatal vitamin-mineral supplements; nutrients such as folic acid, calcium and iron are pinnacle for the health of both mother and baby.  He explained that taking prenatal supplements can be an excellent way to guarantee I was getting all the necessary nutrients for a healthy pregnancy.  The synthetic folic acid commonly found in supplements is much easier for the body to absorb than the folic acid found in food.  Since prenatal supplements vary so much, a prenatal supplement that’s right for my body may not be right for someone else.  I’m glad I spoke to my doctor before taking these vitamin pills

My doctor and I finally discussed weight control and proper exercise.  Studies have shown that women who are overweight have an 18% greater chance of having a baby with heart problems than women of normal weight.  Women who are underweight before becoming pregnant are more likely to have small underweight babies.  The doctor explained that being physically fit can make the pregnancy and delivery easier.    He suggested I consider picking up a light exercise program and continue it through-out my pregnancy.  I’m going to start walking daily; I like to be outdoors.  My doctor told me to be very careful because over-exercise can make getting pregnant difficult and can also be dangerous during pregnancy.

I need to make these changes well in advance of becoming pregnant (a year if possible).  This gives time for the changes to take effect.