“Checklist” to remember when preparing for pregnancy

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital. The doctor has many years of experience in the field of obstetrics and gynecology.

You may not be pregnant yet, but there are many things you need to know and can do to ensure your best health before welcoming a baby angel! So what do you need to do before getting pregnant?

You'll likely see your obstetrician-gynecologist regularly after you become pregnant, but you should also see your doctor before conception to screen for any problems that may be troubling you and your health. of your child.
If you or your husband's family has a history of medical conditions such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell disease, you should also have genetic counseling or have pre-pregnancy screening tests.

Good oral health has been shown to be linked to a healthy pregnancy. Gum disease can increase the risk of premature birth and low birth weight. Therefore, you should go to the dentist for gum disease to prevent the above risks.

Smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy have adverse effects on the development and health of the baby later in life.
Smoking and drinking can make it more difficult to get pregnant and increase the risk of miscarriage. If you have a habit of smoking or drinking, talk to your doctor about programs to quit bad habits.

If you drink more than two cups of coffee or five soft drinks a day (about 250mg of caffeine), you may have trouble getting pregnant and increase your risk of miscarriage.
Minimizing your caffeine intake before conception can help keep you from craving caffeine during the early weeks of pregnancy.

Make sure you don't eat junk food and unhealthy foods. You should eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and lean meats every day. A scientific and healthy diet before pregnancy can reduce the risk of gestational diabetes.

Being overweight can increase your risk of diabetes and high blood pressure during pregnancy - symptoms of preeclampsia. You should not lose weight during pregnancy, so the best time to lose weight is before conception.

Certain medical conditions during pregnancy can have serious consequences and affect the health of your baby. Ask your doctor about the necessary vaccinations before and during pregnancy.
Your doctor can vaccinate you during pregnancy to prevent diseases like whooping cough so your baby can be protected too.

Your doctor needs to know all the medicines you are taking - prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbs. Some medications can affect your child. Now is the right time to take a vitamin or folic acid supplement to reduce the risk of birth defects.

You've probably heard about fish with high levels of mercury during pregnancy. However, because mercury can take up to a year to be completely eliminated from the body, you should only eat fish twice a week and avoid fish with high levels of mercury such as swordfish, square-headed fish, etc. mackerel fish and shark.

Exercise can help you control your weight and can help prepare you for labor and delivery. Find the right pre-pregnancy fitness classes.

The Vinmec hospital's pre-pregnancy care and counseling program has important contents, comprehensively providing necessary information before pregnancy such as:
Support for issues related to genetics family transmission Screening for healthy carriers Preparing for fertility services Medication use and pregnancy Vaccinations Vaccinations Food use and pregnancy Vitamin and folic acid supplementation Prevention of exposure to diseases Toxic chemicals, dangerous physical agents Other health problems for you and your husband (wife).