Pregnancy planning

Pregnancy planning speaks of the willingness of the spouses to continue the family, and the intention to give birth to a healthy child. Even healthy parents are at risk of giving birth to a defective baby. Therefore, a planned pregnancy helps to find out if the spouses are at risk, and allows you to reduce the negative factors affecting the pregnancy process. Modern obstetrics actively supports the trend of planned pregnancy.

How to start planning a pregnancy

It is necessary to start with the moral preparation of both partners. Men and women should be aware of the burden of responsibility and prepare for radical changes in their lives. You should also decide on the duration of the planned pregnancy. Given the fact that the process of maturation and complete renewal of sperm takes 3 months, it is enough for a man to lead a correct lifestyle during this period. It is more difficult for women in this regard, because the existing supply of oocytes is lifelong. That is, women, in principle, should not have bad habits. Therefore, the longer the expectant mother does not smoke and does not consume alcoholic beverages, the more likely she is to give birth to a healthy baby.

The first person to be visited by the parents-to-be is a geneticist. The hereditary health professional will determine if there is a genetic risk in each particular couple. A clinical and genealogical examination is carried out, the geneticist builds a family tree, demonstrating what pathologies the relatives suffered, and whether the child can inherit them. With the help of the cytogenetic method, it is possible to study the chromosome set of a person. Genetic risk table:

• 5% and below is low risk.
• 6% -20% - the risk is medium, in this case it is advisable to apply the method of prenatal diagnosis.
• 20% and more - is recognized as a high risk, the prenatal diagnostic method is mandatory.

Consultation with a geneticist is necessary:

1. Parents with a child with a developmental disability.
2. Spouses suffering from hereditary pathologies.
3. Consanguineous couples.
4. If the woman is over 35 years old, or there have been spontaneous miscarriages.

Further, the health status of future parents will be assessed by specialists. A woman is examined by a gynecologist and visits an ophthalmologist, a man is consulted by an andrologist. Partners also visit a therapist and take a number of necessary tests.

Analyzes when planning pregnancy

To determine the health status of the spouses, the following tests are taken:

1. To clarify the blood group and rhesus factor, hemoglobin level and the presence of inflammatory processes, a blood test is studied.
2. With the help of biochemical blood tests, the condition of the kidneys, liver and gallbladder is determined.
3. A blood test also checks the level of sugar in the blood, and determines its clotting.
4. Testing for HIV, forms of hepatitis and sexually transmitted diseases is mandatory.
5. To exclude chlamydia, herpes, mycoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus and ureaplasmosis, PCR diagnostics are performed.
6. A serological test for antibodies and a smear for microflora is also necessary.
7. If necessary, your doctor may order hormone tests.
8. Urine is examined for the presence of pathologies in the genitourinary tract.
9. Tests for compatibility of partners are given if a woman has not had a pregnancy for a year, leading an unprotected sex life.
10. Both spouses must do fluorography.

Additional tests may be needed when planning a pregnancy if one of the partners is diagnosed with a deviation.

Pregnancy planning for men

When planning a pregnancy, it is important for men to conduct all the necessary medical research and change their lifestyle. With existing chronic pathologies, a therapist's consultation will be required, he will be able to determine whether the disease will affect conception. After taking a course of antibiotics, at least three months should pass. A man without fail consults with a urologist, who must exclude diseases of the genitourinary sphere. If the partner does not become pregnant for a long time, the urologist prescribes a spermogram. This analysis can also be assigned to a man who has had an inflammatory pathology of the genital organs. If, during the examination, a man's genital disorders are revealed, an andrologist begins treatment.

Strengthening male immunity will play an important role in planning pregnancy. It is recommended to take vitamins B9, C, E, L-carnitine, zinc, selenium, folic acid. The listed vitamins are included in the vitamin complexes: "Spermaktive", "Ortomol". The strengthening of the body's defenses will be facilitated by playing sports, active rest.

The diet changes in the direction of reducing fatty and fried foods and increasing raw vegetables, fresh fruits, herbs and nuts. Canned and smoked foods are also not recommended. Eating fresh dairy products, cheese, red fish, nuts, sprouted wheat can significantly improve testosterone levels. You should also not get carried away with coffee and strong teas, it is better to give preference to fresh juices, mineral water, compotes.

The harm of alcohol is well known, which negatively affects the health of the unborn child. The toxic effect is explained by the fact that drinking men have an increased number of defective sperm. Abnormal sperm cells are actively synthesized, even after a small dose of alcohol. By participating in conception, such sperm increase the chances of having an unhealthy baby. Exactly the same destructive effect on sperm is exerted by tobacco poisons and its toxins. Tobacco products and alcoholic beverages harm spermatogenesis. Even secondhand smoke is not allowed. Therefore, if a man is interested in healthy offspring, he must stop smoking and drinking at least 3 months before conceiving a child. Chemicals and any toxins have a negative effect on spermatogenesis. If the professional activity of a man is recognized as harmful, then the field of activity must be changed. In addition, during the period of planning pregnancy, men need to avoid stress and nervous strain.

Pregnancy planning for women

Women, due to their natural instinct, are more likely than men to strive for pregnancy. Therefore, planning a pregnancy for women is a natural process. Many modern girls pre-plan for themselves the age at which she would like to become a mother. Maternal instinct prompts a woman to take a more responsible approach to a planned pregnancy. First of all, the expectant mother is obliged to visit a gynecologist. The entire list of tests recommended by the doctor is submitted. All infectious processes should be excluded. If possible, it is necessary to cure chronic pathologies.

Consulting with a gynecologist, the expectant mother must inform the doctor about all existing deviations. It is also obligatory to visit an ophthalmologist. Even women without vision problems will need to consult an ophthalmologist during the first and last months of pregnancy. Nearsighted women need regular fundus examinations. As a preventive measure, expectant mothers are advised to observe the visual regime. When planning a pregnancy, a woman should put her teeth in order. Dental treatment and prosthetics during pregnancy is highly undesirable. Start preparation a woman should become pregnant 5-6 months before the planned conception. During this time, the expectant mother should:

1. Bring your weight back to normal. Low weight, like obesity, threatens hormonal shifts that prevent ovulation.
2. Quit smoking and drinking.
3. Engage in healing and strengthening the immune system. Regular exercise to prepare the muscles for bearing the fetus. The muscles of the back and abs are especially noteworthy.
4. Change the diet in favor of easily digestible food, while eliminating harmful and heavy foods from consumption. Caffeinated and carbonated drinks are not recommended. Women during this period should eat lean meats, seafood, fresh dairy products, fruits and vegetables.
5. Stop hormonal contraception.
6. Get a rubella vaccine to avoid severe fetal malformations.
7. Start taking vitamin complex intended for expectant mothers.
8. If a woman suffers from high blood pressure, you must try to bring it back to normal.

How to prepare for the birth of a baby

First of all, you should prepare the room where the child will live. Make repairs or thorough general cleaning. Do not make the room unnecessary furniture, do not hang dark curtains on the windows. Make sure that the crib does not stand in a draft, near a radiator and too close to a window. A cradle, a stroller, backpacks, and a bathtub should be purchased for the baby. Contrary to existing prejudices, it is better to purchase clothes for a baby in advance. A detailed list of necessary things is made in advance, trying not to miss the details.

How to prepare dad for the birth of a child? A good help in this will be a joint visit to courses for pregnant women. Participation in the courses will teach the future dad to hold the baby in his arms, bathe, swaddle and change diapers.