So now you have decided to get pregnant. Do you plan on going to the doctor for a preconception checkup before trying to conceive? Well, you should especially if this is your first time. It is completely up to you to ensure the health of your baby right from the word go and you can do that only if your health is good. Claim Your 20 Free Pregnancy Tests – Click Here
You should look at preconception check up as a preventive measure for potential problems that may creep up during pregnancy. Since you have no idea about the expectations that you should have relating to pregnancy, labor, and birth, consulting a doctor can ease your tensions.
You will learn and discuss a number of things with your doctor during the preconception check up and you will be ready to conceive. It is particularly important if your family history has birth defects or any medical condition. Remember that prevention is always better than cure.
Here are a few reasons why you should go for a preconception checkup as soon as you decide that it is time to extend your family:
The check up will help you assess all risks associated to your health. Diabetes and high blood pressure are extremely common these days. If you have either of these, the risks of birth defects are high. The doctor will advise you about the precautions and care to be taken.
Asthma, heart disease, epilepsy, and lupus are also health conditions that can cause birth defects. Hence if you suffer from any of these or generally, any medical conditions, it is best to take the advice of the doctor for the sake of your baby.
You may be taking antibiotics such as tetracycline or anti-seizure drugs such as Dilantin or acne preventives, blood pressure reducers, and blood thinners that can be harmful to your baby. You won’t realize which ones are harmful unless you consult the doctor.
Your doctor will check your prescriptions and notify you about harmful drugs. He will then give you safer alternatives to use. Even anti histamines, and diet drugs can be harmful. Hence, checking with your doctor before conception itself is ideal.
Preconception checkup will help you prepare. From all your medical records, the doctor will let you know if genetic screening is essential. Your baby may inherit some conditions from you or your spouse and in order to be sure that everything will be fine, genetic screening may be essential. Whether or not this is required, the doctor will let you know during the checkup.
You will also have an understanding of the right supplements after your preconception checkup. You have to be sure to be healthy if you want your pregnancy to be smooth. You may have to take supplements and your doctor will tell you which ones you can rely upon and which ones you should avoid.
For the sake of your baby, you may even need booster shots for various diseases such as hepatitis B, rubella, polio, tetanus, mumps, and measles. The booster shots must be taken at least three months prior to pregnancy. You won’t know whether this is important for you unless you go for a preconception checkup and discuss things with your doctor.
Throughout your pregnancy, your doctor will be by your side to ensure that your pregnancy is healthy. During the preconception exam, she may offer exercises and nutrition advice that can assist you during your pregnancy. You may be overweight or underweight and depending on that, the doctor will give you the necessary guidelines to follow to get into shape for pregnancy.
Beforehand, your doctor will ask you about your menstruation, the birth control you used until now, about infections if any, previous pregnancies if any, medical history, and so on. Based on all this information, she will provide the best advice and suggestions during your preconception checkup to ensure that you have a healthy pregnancy.
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