Topic 1: Preparing for a Healthy Pregnancy
What you need to know when you’re ready to have a child
The first twelve weeks after conception are very important to your baby’s development. It is during this period when all the baby’s organs are formed, including the heart, the brain and the nervous system.
However, there is a likelihood you may not even realise you are pregnant during this time. This is why it makes sense to prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy even before conception.
DOs
A general check-up can reveal conditions that may cause problems in pregnancy. It is recommended that you have your blood pressure checked as this makes it easier to detect any changes in blood pressure during pregnancy.
A diet rich in folate is beneficial for everyone. For most women, a diet rich in folate for the month before as well as for the first three months of pregnancy will help to prevent birth defects in their babies.
Eat plentiful varieties of folate-rich foods such as fruits (particularly oranges, berries and bananas), vegetables (especially green leafy vegetables) and bread or cereals everyday. Folate is easily destroyed by prolonged storage and cooking so it is wise to eat fruit and vegetables that are fresh, raw or lightly cooked.
Although there is no substitute for a good diet, supplementing with folic acid tablets can ensure that you have a satisfactory daily intake of folate. Consult your doctor before taking folic acid tablets.
Oral hygiene is as important during pregnancy. Visit your dentist for a check-up to ensure that your teeth and gums are in good condition. If there are any problems, it is best to have the work done before you become pregnant.
Although rubella (German measles) is not a serious disease, even a mild attack can harm an unborn baby, especially in the first three months. It can cause damage to the brain, sight and hearing of the unborn baby and increase the risk of a miscarriage. Even if you have been vaccinated against rubella as a teenager, ask your doctor for a blood test to check that you are immune. If you are not immune, you can be immunised before you become pregnant. This must be done at least three months before you become pregnant.
DON’Ts
It is best to quit smoking before you become pregnant. If you can stop smoking at any stage during the pregnancy it will be beneficial for you and the baby.
Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of:
• Having a premature birth (giving birth before the end of the 37th week);
• Delivering a low birth-weight baby. When you smoke, carbon monoxide flows into your baby’s bloodstream. This means the baby gets less oxygen and cannot grow as well as it should. This can also happen to a lesser degree if you live or work in a smoke-filled environment. A lighter baby has increased chance of having complications after birth, such as difficulty in maintaining body temperature, and lack of energy;
• Respiratory problems in baby. If you smoked during pregnancy, your baby has a higher risk of respiratory (chest) problems;
• S.I.D.S. (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
Alcohol passes into your bloodstream and then into the baby’s bloodstream. Not drinking at all is the safest approach.
Alcohol use during pregnancy has been linked with a higher risk of:
• Pregnancy complications including miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth;
• Babies born with intellectual disabilities; poor coordination and movement skills; defects to the face, heart and bones; slow physical growth.
Coffee, tea, chocolate and some soft drinks contain caffeine. A high intake of caffeine increases the risk of miscarriage and premature birth. Pregnant women should limit themselves to 200mg of caffeine daily.
Many women take painkillers for all kinds of minor discomforts and it can be a hard habit to break during pregnancy. However, some painkillers can be harmful. For example, aspirin taken in during late pregnancy can interfere with the body’s ability to control bleeding after delivery of the placenta.
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