Factors to Keep In Mind for Preconception Care

Pregnancy is an important event in a woman’s life and a milestone in a couple’s relationship. With advance in technology and Medical Sciences, it is now easier to take steps and precautions towards a healthy and safe pregnancy. The factors that effect a pregnancy and the health of your baby are: age, health (your and you partners), diet, lifestyle, medical problems, family history, etc. Keeping these factors in mind can help you take preconception care, which can lead to a healthy and safe pregnancy.

Some common factors to be kept in mind for preconception care are:

• Age: Getting pregnant at the average reproductive age that is between 15 to 45 years can increase the chances of a healthy and hassle free conception. However, getting pregnant at a very young age or at the extreme of the reproductive age can be harmful and risky for both the mother and child. Teenage pregnancies, or pregnancies in forties, can be harmful or can also result in miscarriage.

• Medical Health: a woman’s health, also her partner’s health, plays an important role in the outcome of the pregnancy. A healthy woman delivers a healthy baby. Before planning to conceive, it is highly recommended o go for a full medical and health check up, to identify problem areas and to diagnose any diseases if any.
  Few health problems, which can adversely affect a pregnancy, are High blood pressure, anaemia, diabetes, etc. In addition, infections like STDs like Chlamydia, Genital Herpes, and HIV etc can be dangerous for not only the partners but also the child. Thus, a medical check up is must for both the partners.

• Past Pregnancies: your past pregnancies history can effect your present pregnancy. A history of miscarriage or stillbirth is an important factor to be discussed with your gynaecologist before planning another pregnancy.