Pregnancy Planning

Deciding to have a child is an important decision; and as with other important
decisions, the best plan for a safe pregnancy and healthy baby is to take the
following steps prior to conception:

1.  Discuss your pregnancy plans with your OB/GYN.  Use this time to review
your current health status, prescriptions and over-the-counter medications,
immunization record and any family history of medical/genetic problems.  Your
physician may decide to change some of your mediations so as to continue to
treat you for medical conditions but with a drug that will not interfere with the
normal fetal development.
2.  If you are not immunized for rubella and chicken pox, your physician will
recommend that you have the vaccination at least three months prior to
conception.  Contracting either rubella or chicken pox during pregnancy can
be harmful to you and your baby.
3.  Your physician will also prescribe a multivitamin containing folic acid, and it is
important to begin taking these vitamins before getting pregnant.  Folic acid is
essential in preventing neural tube and spinal defects.  Since the neural tube
and spinal development occur in the first two to four weeks of fetal
development, these stages will occur even before you may be aware of your
pregnancy.
4.  You should be prepared to review your general lifestyle with your OB/GYN.  If
you smoke, use alcohol, or illicit drugs such as cocaine or marijuana, your
physician will strongly recommend that you remove these activities from your
lifestyle for the sake of your unborn baby’s health.  These activities are part
of an unhealthy lifestyle, and these activities increase the risk of your baby
being born prematurely or being born with birth defects and/or mental
deficiencies.
5.  Make sure that you eat a well-balanced diet and exercise regularly.  Eating
healthy, nourishing diet is important in controlling weight gain and preventing
gestational diabetes.  A regular exercise program promotes a healthy life style for
your pregnancy and after delivery.