How can I best prepare for pregnancy?
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Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:If possible, a woman planning conception should see an obstetrician-gynecologist or obstetrician before attempting conception. This helps to review all the medical issues that may impact a pregnancy, assess the family history for potential genetic problems, optimize the woman's health before the pregnancy, and provide guidance about testing options that are available early in pregnancy, such as first trimester genetic testing. Once a woman is pregnant, an ultrasound early in pregnancy to establish the date of conception and the estimated date of delivery can be very helpful. Counting from the first day of the last menstrual period prior to conception, an ultrasound at six to eight weeks of pregnancy can be helpful.If possible, a woman planning conception should see an obstetrician-gynecologist or obstetrician before attempting conception. This helps to review all the medical issues that may impact a pregnancy, assess the family history for potential... More -
Denise Long of Honor Society of Nursing (STTI) answered:The best preparation for pregnancy is to plan for it and to be in the best health possible when you conceive. See your health care provider as soon as you are considering a pregnancy. Your provider will help you determine if there are any health problems you currently have that might be a problem in pregnancy. They can help you to improve or resolve these issues before you become pregnant. Your provider might then prescribe a prenatal vitamin for you to begin taking while you try to conceive. Proper folic acid levels, especially, are important before you get pregnant in order to prevent a specific type of birth defect, called spina bifida, which can mean problems with your child's spinal cord. Certainly, if you are trying to get pregnant, you should avoid drugs (including some prescription and over the counter medications) unless approved by your provider. Avoid alcohol, tobacco products, and recreational drugs as well.
The best preparation for pregnancy is to plan for it and to be in the best health possible when you conceive. See your health care provider as soon as you are considering a pregnancy. Your provider will help you determine if there are any health... More
