Woman's Health > Pregnancy & Childbirth Pregnancy: Things to Think About Before You're Pregnant Posted by R. James M.D. on Sep 16, 2004, 04:05

Why is being ready for pregnancy so important?

Conception occurs about 2 weeks before your period is due. That means
you may not even know you're pregnant until you're more than 3 weeks
pregnant. Yet your baby is most sensitive to harm 2 to 8 weeks after
conception. This is when your baby's facial features and organs, such as
the heart and kidneys, begin to form. Anything you eat, drink, smoke or
are exposed to can affect your baby. That's why it's best to start acting
as if you're pregnant before you are.

When should I talk with my doctor about pregnancy?

Any time--even before you're thinking about getting pregnant. You can talk about your diet,
habits, lifestyle and any concerns you have. Plan on visiting your doctor
within a year before you want to get pregnant. At that time, you may be
given a physical check-up. You and the father-to-be will probably be asked
about your medical history. You'll both also have the chance to ask your
doctor questions.

What should I eat?

What you eat will also feed your baby. Junk food like potato chips,
soda and cookies won't have the right nutrients for your baby. You might
also need to make some changes if you follow a vegetarian or weight-loss
diet. Talk to your doctor before taking extra vitamins and minerals. Some
of them may be harmful, like high doses of vitamin A.

Folic Acid Alert

Women who don't get enough folic acid during
pregnancy are more likely to have a baby with serious problems of
the brain or spinal cord. It's important to take folic acid before
becoming pregnant because these problems develop very early in
pregnancy--only 3 to 4 weeks after conception. Women need about 0.4
mg of folic acid a day. You can take a multivitamin or eat plenty of
green, leafy vegetables, oranges, cantaloupe, bananas, milk, grains
and organ meats (such as chicken livers).

What about weight?

If you're overweight, your risk during pregnancy is higher for things
such as high blood pressure and diabetes. You may also be less comfortable
during pregnancy, and your labor may be longer. You can use the time
before getting pregnant to lose weight if you need to.

Is exercise okay?

Yes. The more fit you are, the easier your pregnancy and delivery may
be. But if you exercise too much, it can make getting pregnant harder. And
overdoing it once you're pregnant can be dangerous. If you haven't been
exercising, start before you get pregnant. While you are pregnant, you can
probably keep up a light exercise program. Walking every day is good
exercise. Talk to your doctor about an exercise plan for you.

Do I need to change my habits?

Using tobacco, alcohol or drugs can cause serious harm to your baby and
can even cause miscarriage. If you use tobacco, alcohol or drugs, get help
from your doctor to quit. He or she will want to help you find a way to
stop.

Smoking. Smoking can cause miscarriage, bleeding, premature
birth and low birth weight. It's also linked to sudden infant death
syndrome (SIDS), in which infants suddenly die of no obvious cause.
Children of smokers may do less well on IQ tests, and their physical
growth may be slower.

Alcohol. Drinking by a pregnant woman can cause fetal alcohol
syndrome (FAS). FAS can lead to many problems, including mental slowness,
poor growth, defects of the face and a head that is too small. Drink no
alcohol or as little as possible before and during pregnancy.

Illegal drugs. Using marijuana, cocaine and other illegal drugs
raises the chances of miscarriage, premature birth and birth defects. With
some drugs, the child will be born addicted to the drug that the mother
used and will go through withdrawal.

The Hazards of Heat

Soaking in a hot tub could hurt your baby if
you're in the first trimester of pregnancy. Some research has shown
that high heat--from a fever, hot bath or hot tub--during the first
3 months may cause birth defects.

Am I around things at work or home that could be harmful?

Maybe. Some dangers include radiation, heavy metals like lead, copper
and mercury, carbon disulfide, acids, and anesthetic gases. The radiation
from computer screens doesn't seem to be harmful.

Talk with your doctor about your workplace and home to find out if
there are any dangers. If anything could harm your baby at work, you may
be able to use special clothing or equipment to protect your baby, or you
may be able to get a short-term transfer before and during pregnancy.

Cats and Toxoplasmosis

You may have heard that pregnant women
shouldn't clean a cat's litter box. That's because a parasite that
causes a disease called toxoplasmosis can be spread through the
feces of cats. Toxoplasmosis isn't usually harmful to children and
adults, but it can cause birth defects, including blindness and
brain damage. You can also get toxoplasmosis by eating raw or
undercooked red meat or touching dirt, such as when gardening, that
has been contaminated by cat feces.

What about medicines I take?

Both prescription and over-the-counter medicines can affect your baby.
Ask your doctor before taking prescription or nonprescription (like
aspirin) medicines.

If you need to take medicine often because of health problems, such as
asthma, epilepsy, thyroid problems or migraine headaches, talk with your
doctor about your treatment and any risks during pregnancy.

What tests may I need before I get pregnant?

You may need some tests to find out if you have problems that could
harm you or your baby during pregnancy. Many things can be handled before
pregnancy to help prevent problems for your baby and for you.

Rubella. If you don't know whether you've ever had rubella
(German measles) or been vaccinated against it, a blood test can give the
answer. Catching rubella while you're pregnant can be very bad for your
baby. You can be vaccinated before you get pregnant.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). STDs such as gonorrhea,
syphilis, chlamydia and AIDS can make it hard for you to get pregnant and
can also harm you or your baby. It is best if these infections are
diagnosed and treated before pregnancy.

Other problems. Your doctor may also want to do some other tests
depending on if you're at risk for other problems, such as anemia or
hepatitis.

What if I have health problems?

Diabetes, high blood pressure or problems with your circulation may
need extra care during pregnancy. It's often easier to treat problems or
get them under control before you're pregnant.

Will my baby be at risk for genetic problems?

Your baby may be at risk for certain problems that run in your family.
These are genetic diseases. Cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia are
some examples. These problems aren't caused by anything you do. Talk with
your doctor about your risk factors and whether screening tests are
needed.