Your (Pre)Baby Sojourn: Time to Learn, Burn and Earn!
Most women would love a perfect family plan. Can’t control all of it? Here’s some good news before the stork’s visit! You can be SuperMom even before you become a mom. You might think you are reasonably healthy, eat right, and exercise enough — but that’s not all. After all, forewarned is forearmed.
What to Do to Be a Super-Mom-to-Be?
Read(y) Up: Preconception Healthcare
Knowledge is power. The WWW is full of good sources for learning about healthcare options and research by scientists worldwide. Your physician and you can work together to formulate the best pre-pregnancy plan — including a detailed health assessment, action plan to manage existing conditions such as obesity, PCOS, diabetes, and neurological conditions. Some hospitals have well-staffed genetic wards that conduct pre-pregnancy counselling sessions. Couples can get tested for potential risk of inherited disease for their baby through carrier screening.
Come Clean
Now is the best time, really. Studies unequivocally show that maternal lifestyle is a major player in pregnancy outcomes — serious risk can result in premature or low birth weight babies, congenital anomalies, and more. It’s important to clean not just your home and surroundings, but your mind too. Get rid of disturbing thoughts, unknown fears, and less-than-pleasant opinions about whether or not you are going to have a smooth pregnancy.
Weighing It Up
Fitness comes first. This might be the best time to get into your fittest form, ever! By keeping your weight in check, adding lean muscle, and boosting your metabolism, you can bank on a safe ride ahead. Core strength training helps in childbirth and recovery.
Family Fables
Now would be a good time to talk to the family and get some history — medical conditions might run in the family, skip generations, and go unnoticed. Early identification of risk factors like inherited conditions can help you reduce the risk of adverse outcomes, prenatal and antenatal complications. You and your partner might have an increased genetic risk for disease, which is crucial information for a genetic counsellor’s assessment and subsequent recommendations.
Money and Other Matters
Financial planning is no small task for couples, even before they are pregnant. Most couples discuss healthcare plans, job stability, external help, division of roles, and whether the current dwelling is baby-friendly. A decent amount of groundwork and teamwork will help increase joint income and prepare for unpredictable expenses.
Tick tock, tick tock, is that a real line or just a dot?
The blue line on the stick means you’re going to have a tot!
Time to gear up and prepare the nest,
Cos we all know… Mommy knows best!
Plan Your Baby’s Health Before Day One
MapmyGenome offers preconception genetic counselling, Babymap carrier screening, and NIPT — helping couples make informed decisions at every stage of the parenthood journey. Backed by certified genetic counsellors and a CAP & NABL-accredited laboratory.
