Health considerations when planning your pregnancy

Health Considerations When Planning Your Pregnancy

Planning a pregnancy is an exciting time for couples eager for a visit from the stork. Studies demonstrate that proactive couples who seek medical care before conceiving can increase their chances of achieving pregnancy and reduce their risks of miscarriage and birth defects. Here are 8 things every couple should consider while planning a pregnancy.

1. Folic Acid Supplementation

Folic acid (Vitamin B9) plays a key role in the normal development of DNA. Women who get 0.4 mg folic acid supplementation before conception and during the first trimester reduce the risk of serious birth defects involving the brain and spinal cord by up to 70%. A genetic counsellor can help assess family history and lay out an appropriate plan of action.

2. Vaccinations

Pregnancy lowers a woman’s immunity, leaving her vulnerable to infections that can be associated with preterm birth, low birth weight, miscarriage, or birth defects. Pre-pregnancy is the perfect time to ensure vaccinations for chicken pox, MMR, DPT, Hepatitis A/B, etc. are up to date.

3. Infections

Get screened for infections like toxoplasmosis, parvovirus B19, herpes, HIV, and other STDs before pregnancy, as some are considered teratogens — substances that can cause birth defects by interfering with normal foetal development.

4. Health Conditions

Women with existing medical conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, or high blood pressure must seek preconception advice. High blood sugar and low thyroid levels at the earliest stage of pregnancy can have detrimental effects on normal foetal development. Hypothyroidism is a preventable cause of mental retardation and warrants screening and treatment prior to conceiving.

5. Medications

Some medications can pose harm to a developing baby. Commonly used medicines for epilepsy and high blood pressure can be teratogenic. Women must discuss all medications they are on with their doctor or genetic counsellor before planning a pregnancy.

6. Chromosomes

Some adults carry chromosomal rearrangements (translocations) without knowing it — only discovered after repeated miscarriages or after a baby is born with a chromosome disorder. Both men and women can be carriers and can be identified by a test called a karyotype.

7. Routine Carrier Screening

Every individual is a carrier of about 1–2 mutations that can cause severe genetic disorders. Preconception carrier screening gives couples the opportunity to plan ahead and make informed decisions. If both partners are found to be carriers of the same genetic condition, they have a 1 in 4 chance of having a baby with that condition.

8. Preconception Genetic Counselling

A genetic counselling appointment while planning a pregnancy entails an in-depth review of a couple’s medical and family history. A genetic counsellor will interpret this information and provide a personalised assessment of relevant risk factors, available testing options, and possible preventative measures.