Preparation for Pregnancy
It is very important for every expectant mother who is planning a pregnancy to consult an obstetrician before becoming pregnant for a healthy pregnancy, labor and postpartum period.
The aim is to determine all risk factors that exist before the expectant mother becomes pregnant, to diagnose a disorder that may arise during pregnancy, and to plan pregnancy after these risk factors are taken under control. In this way, a trouble-free pregnancy and a healthy birth are guaranteed.
When you apply to your doctor, some questions that may seem unimportant to you, such as your age, profession, working life, sleep and rest habits, and exercise habits, will give your doctor clues. In addition, dietary habits, alcohol, smoking and other substance use, determination of chronic diseases (such as high blood pressure, heart, kidney, diabetes, epilepsy) that may adversely affect your pregnancy, previous surgeries and diseases (such as fibroids, ovarian cysts, inflammations) questioning and explaining the negative situations of previous pregnancies (such as miscarriage, stillbirth, birth with anomaly), if any, will give an idea about the health of you and your baby to be born. The history of the patient is extremely important, as some gynecological diseases and infections can cause difficulty in getting pregnant or miscarriage when pregnant.
In the interview, the family history of the expectant mother and father is questioned, risks related to age and genetic factors are determined, genetic counseling is requested if necessary. In addition, questioning the life and nutritional habits of the expectant mother and father is important in terms of pregnancy and harm that can affect the baby.
After getting information about the person's history and general health status, it is time for the examination.
In the general examination, height, weight, blood pressure and body type characteristics, and whether there are functional disorders in the organs are investigated.
Vaginal and pelvic infections are investigated with gynecological examination. With transvaginal ultrasonography, conditions such as ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids and polyps that may adversely affect pregnancy are revealed.
Pap Smear is taken if it has not been taken within the last year.
Blood pressure and weight measurement, laboratory examinations such as whole blood, complete urine, urine culture, mother and father blood type, fasting blood glucose measurement, measurement of BUN and creatinine levels in blood to evaluate kidney functions, tests related to hepatitis, toxoplasma parasite or rubella virus and TSH measurement is requested in order to evaluate the thyroid gland.
Your doctor can refer you to a doctor in the relevant branch or your treatment can be arranged for the diseases detected as a result of the examination and tests. For example, anemia, urinary tract infections, diabetes and high blood pressure.
After all the examinations are made, if the existing diseases are treated and it is determined that there is no obstacle to getting pregnant, the next step is evaluating the suggestions.
If you are found not to be immune to rubella, you should be vaccinated, but since this vaccine is made from live viruses, you should not become pregnant for 3 months after getting it.
If diabetes is detected, regulation of the blood sugar level and bringing it to normal levels significantly prevents the emergence of anomalies in the babies of these patients.
Since smoking decreases the number of eggs in women and sperm number and quality in men, it may cause difficulty in conception, miscarriage, premature birth or low-weight babies in women. Similarly, alcohol can reduce the chance of conception, anomalies, mental retardation, and behavioral disorders may occur in babies.
Nutrition is extremely important. If there is excess weight, the best period to lose them is before pregnancy because diet is not recommended during pregnancy. Artificial sweeteners and caffeine should be reduced. Vitamin supplements are not required before becoming pregnant, but the only exception is Folic acid, and taking 400 micrograms of Folic acid a day prevents central nervous system anomalies in the baby.
