Steps you must take for planning a healthy pregnancy

By Dr. Deepa Dewan in Obstetrics And Gynaecology

Jul 13 , 2021 | 1 min read

It is important to meet a doctor, share your history, get a few tests done, start some supplements and attain an ideal weight before a couple plans a pregnancy. The aim is to plan ahead to reduce the risk of harm to the baby and to reduce the risk of pregnancy complications.

Things you should do:

See your doctor to discuss pregnancy if you have any long-standing medical condition or take any regular medication.
Share your history of diabetes / abnormal sugar levels. Your history of thyroid disorders. Your history of Epilepsy. Your history of any condition that runs in the family.
Share these details as you might need a change in your medications or a check on your medical condition.

Here are some explanations as to why sharing your medical history with your doctor prior to pregnancy will help you.

If you have diabetes or are on medication for epilepsy, it is important to see a doctor sooner rather than later; continue contraception until any plans to control your medical condition are in place.
If you have diabetes, it is extremely important to see your doctor BEFORE you become pregnant. This is because good control of your sugar levels, both before pregnancy and in early pregnancy, can reduce various risks. Diabetes increases your risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. It also increases the risk that your baby will be born with abnormalities, or become seriously ill after birth. However, good control of sugar levels starting before pregnancy can reduce these risks.

Many treatments for epilepsy are not safe to take in pregnancy. See your doctor or epilepsy specialist to discuss this BEFORE becoming pregnant. You may need to be switched to another medicine.

If you have a Thyroid issue, it will be good to check your TSH levels and have them controlled before pregnancy because an abnormal thyroid level can lead to miscarriage, preterm labour and low IQ in the baby. These problems can be avoided by a check on thyroid levels.

If your family has a history of a condition that runs in families, you may wish to have genetic testing before planning a pregnancy. This will help work out your chances of having that condition.