Protection Before You Conceive

How to plan for it.

- Dr Sonal Agarwal

Most women and their families are concerned about health and well-being of the baby in the womb when pregnant and take advice and appropriate precautions to keep mother and baby healthy. But actually they must start taking precautions when planning the pregnancy for about 12 months. So, women must know what to do before they even try to get pregnant. Women should be aware of what precautions can be taken prior to conception to ensure their own health during pregnancy and also of the baby in the womb.

Women planning to have a baby should be healthy. It is better that they are not suffering from any chronic disease. If suffering from diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure or other diseases, they should seek the advice of the doctor. He or she will inform them about the possible problems during pregnancy and precautions necessary. The disease should be treated or controlled by the right types of drug which are less harmful during pregnancy.

They should not be suffering from anemia or any other nutritional deficiencies. If so, these should be corrected.

If obese or overweight, they should try to reduce weight. Even those underweight should try to increase the weight as both situations can cause adverse outcomes. Trying to get pregnant and during pregnancy they should not do dieting.

The American college of Obstetricians and gynecologists has recommended that all women should get medical check-up before they try to conceive. In these examinations, the focus should be on key factors necessary for a healthy pregnancy.