More than half of pregnancies are unplanned. And over 200 million pregnancies occur each year. But, if you’re trying to have a baby, you might want to put a little more planning into the process.
So, have you sat down with your doctor and talked about preconception counseling? Let’s go through everything you need to know about preconception counseling.
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What Is Preconception Counseling?
Preconception counseling is an important part of the process of having a child. During the preconception counseling process, you’ll sit down with your doctor and find out what you need to do.
Your doctor can go through different aspects of women’s health, and ensure that you’re as healthy as possible during the conception and pregnancy process.
What Happens During Preconception Counseling?
There are lots of factors your doctor will have to go through during preconception counseling. Your doctor will go through your family history, and see if there are any risk factors you should be on the lookout for as you attempt to get pregnant. That will also help them understand if there are any genetic conditions in your family that could affect your future child, such as Tay-Sachs disease.
Your doctor will also go through your specific medical history, and your previous OB/GYN history. Certain medical conditions can make it harder or more dangerous to become pregnant. So, it’s important to be aware of everything that’s going on with your body.
You’ll also have to discuss different lifestyle factors with your doctor. Staying healthy and avoiding things that are dangerous for your future child is very important during pregnancy, and it’s never too early to get started.
Obviously, if you smoke, your doctor will recommend that you quit before becoming pregnant. You’ll have to go through your diet with your doctor and ensure that you’re avoiding anything that could cause problems for your pregnancy planning.
Tests During Preconception Counseling
Your doctor will conduct tests to ensure that you’re as healthy as possible before you begin the conception process. They’ll do blood tests and urine tests to check for things like rubella, HIV, or any problems with your thyroid. They will also do physical tests to ensure that your body is in tiptop shape.
You will also have to go through your menstrual cycle with your doctor, to make sure you’re aware of when you might be ovulating. This will give you the best possible chance of conception for your planned pregnancy.
Afterward, your doctor can make recommendations to help your parenthood planning go smoothly. These could include changes to your diet, prenatal vitamins, or changing medications. If you have documented fertility problems, they may also recommend further treatment.
Preconception Counseling: Start Today
When you’re trying to have a baby, preconception counseling is an important part of the process. So, book an appointment with your doctor ASAP.
Do you need more advice about parenting, pregnancy, and more? Scroll through a few of the other informative posts on this website.
