Before getting pregnant, what advice should couples get?

This article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Nhu Thu Truc - Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital. Doctor has more than 8 years of experience in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Pre-pregnancy preparation is essential for the comprehensive development of the baby. Couples need to prepare in all aspects from material to mental and especially health.

The purpose is to identify genetic factors due to chromosomal mutations or single gene mutations, multifactorial inheritance that can cause miscarriage, stillbirth and birth defects; special attention in elderly or very young couples, overweight and obesity, people exposed to toxic chemical environments, Agent Orange exposure, pharmaceutical use with tranquilizers, drugs anticonvulsants, antimalarials...; the mother is infected with viruses, bacteria, parasites...
Consider the immune incompatibility between the mother and the baby such as Rh factor, ABO blood group... If there is an abnormal problem, then a transfer should be made. women go to specialized facilities for a definitive diagnosis and appropriate intervention management.

General health examination to detect potential chronic diseases for timely treatment (cardiovascular disease, hypertension, anemia, diabetes, hepatitis, nephritis, tuberculosis, epilepsy, mental disorders) mental disorders, structural or functional abnormalities of the genital organs. women at least 3 months before becoming pregnant.

During pregnancy, the use of Western medicine to treat flu, fever, cough ... is absolutely not recommended because it can directly affect the fetus in the abdomen.
However, during pregnancy, it will be difficult for mothers to avoid diseases such as flu, chickenpox, rubella,... Therefore, to minimize the possibility of these diseases, prepare 3 months in advance. Pregnant women should carry out health consultation before becoming pregnant, go to vaccination facilities to receive specific advice on which vaccines should be injected and administer vaccines to ensure a healthy body. before and during pregnancy.

Advise pregnant women about specific factors that are associated with obstetric complications and the risk of recurrence. Obstetric complications that need medical advice before pregnancy such as in cases of consecutive miscarriages, stillbirths, premature births, hemorrhage, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes...; infection with influenza and rubella, past drug use, daily habits, occupation, living and working environment, diseases of family members such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease...;
Sexually transmitted infections, especially chlamydia, toxoplasma, gonorrhea, syphilis, genital herpes, cytomegalovirus (CMV), human papillomavirus (HPV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), inflammation hepatitis B - hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Health counseling before pregnancy helps detect and treat diseases early to have a healthy body ready for pregnancy.
In addition, with special diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, etc., it is also necessary to consult a doctor to prepare before pregnancy, whether to stop taking medications and change the regimen. other treatment. Ask your doctor for advice and advice about the medications you are taking, and genetic diseases of your relatives.
Nutrition is the most important factor for a woman's health and fetal development. Undernourished women are at risk of giving birth to low-birth-weight babies and unsafe mothers during pregnancy and childbirth.
Mobilize women to take iron and folic acid supplements to prevent anemia; Taking folic acid at least 3 months before becoming pregnant can reduce the risk of neural tube birth defects in the fetus. Propagating and mobilizing women to use iodized salt in their daily meals. Explain to women who are about to have children understand the need for intestinal deworming every 6 months to 1 year Practice personal hygiene with hand washing with soap, sanitation to reduce the possibility of reinfection with intestinal worms. Health education about safe sex and application of measures to prevent transmission of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV. For HIV-infected women who want to become pregnant, they need to receive pre-pregnancy health counseling at HIV/AIDS care and treatment facilities to choose a reasonable time to get pregnant to minimize HIV transmission to them. child.

Pre-pregnancy health counseling is very important and necessary, helping couples who are planning to prepare before pregnancy, parents who have been pregnant or gave birth to a child with birth defects, the Parents who have had events in previous pregnancies minimize the risk that may occur during pregnancy.
Pre-pregnancy health care and counseling program is a program implemented by Vinmec Times City International Hospital to help couples prepare for the best pregnancy.
The program is run by a team of professionals who are ready to provide a full range of support services through physical exams and pre-pregnancy screening tests.
The contents of this program at Vinmec include:
Genetic counseling before pregnancy Screening to detect healthy people carrying disease genes Preparing for assisted reproductive services Instructions for using drugs during pregnancy Vaccination Vaccine Oral Vitamins and Folic Acid (vitamin B9) Food advice before and during pregnancy Advice on preventing exposure to harmful chemicals, dangerous physical agents Other health problems and husband and wife)