Pregnancy

Planning for a Healthy Pregnancy

If you're planning to become pregnant, prepare for a healthy pregnancy by taking care of medical and dental concerns beforehand. If you've been using the Pill for birth control (oral contraception), try to wait till you've had one regular menstrual period before conceiving. Fertility after stopping birth control can sometimes be delayed but isn't permanently affected.²

Now more than ever, it's smart to get regular exercise, eat a healthy diet, and drink plenty of water, as well as to reduce or stop drinking caffeine. Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs. Also, avoid using medicines, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or aspirin.

If you haven't yet chosen a health professional for pregnancy, childbirth, and after-birth (postpartum) care, give some thought to your many options. For more information, see choosing your health professional for pregnancy care.

Review your immunization history with your health professional. To prevent birth defects, miscarriage, or stillbirth that can be caused by such infections as rubella or measles, get any necessary immunizations and wait the recommended period of time before trying to get pregnant.

Talk to your doctor about whether to have screening tests for diseases that are passed down through your family (genetic disorders). You may want to have a screening test if you or your partner has a family history of genetic disorders or if certain genetic disorders are more common among people of your racial or ethnic background. Some screenings for genetic disorders include:³

• Sickle cell disease, which is most common in people of African descent.
• Tay-Sachs disease, which is most common in people with an Ashkenazi Jewish, Cajun, or French Canadian background.
• Cystic fibrosis, which is most common in people with a Caucasian, European, or Ashkenazi Jewish background.

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Author:	Sandy Jocoy, RN	Last Updated: November 28, 2008
Medical Review:	Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
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