My name is Claudia Booker, of Birthing Hands DC and today I want to discuss preconception health. Many of you may be dreaming about having a baby (or another baby) and about the day you will discover that you are pregnant. And there are certain things that you should be aware of and address before you become pregnant in order to ensure that your dream of a healthy pregnancy and birth will come true.
Preconception health is the process of preparing you and your partner's body, mind, spirit for a healthy, positive, calm, supportive, and happy pregnancy and birth of a baby. It covers the 360 degrees of how you live your life and the world you offer your newborn. Yes, preconception health is for both men and women.
Things that I recommend include:
• Put together a life pregnancy plan. That is a plan developed through discussions with between you and your partner on how many children you want to have and when.
• Pay close attention to your physical health. Make sure you are up to date with our physicals, vaccinations, and immunizations.
• Schedule a pre-pregnancy visit to your health care provider and dentist, for both you and your partner.
• Existing medical conditions such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, cardiac disease, high cholesterol, asthma, dental problems and hypothyroidism, STD, HIV can directly impact fertility, ovulation, and carrying the baby to full term.
• Prescriptions and impact on fertility and pregnancy. Certain prescription medications for conditions such as acne, epilepsy, diabetes, hypertension, and hypothyroidism can adversely impact the development of the fetus as well as the health of the mother.
• Look at your nutrition, diet, vitamins and other dietary supplements and weight. If you need to lose or gain weight, do it before becoming pregnant! Think about what you eat and drink and how it helps or even hinders our overall health. Be sure to consume fruits, vegetables, proteins, vitamins, and plenty of water, daily, can not only help to set up a foundation for a healthy pregnancy, but can also provide us with energy for those day-to-day normal activities. Encourage and include your partner in any dietary changes or maintenance of healthy eating and drinking during preconception.
• Be sure to exercise. Whether you walk every morning or take the stairs instead of the elevator, it's important to be active. Exercising releases endorphins, the friendly hormones that help you feel good, promotes energy and circulation.
• Evaluate your behavior and life style—smoking, alcohol, little sleep, bad diet, and stress may hinder a healthy conception and pregnancy .
• Make sure you have a positive and present support system of family and friends
• Look at your living arrangements. Ask yourself...Is this the best environment for your new baby?
• Spend time each day relaxing your mind and body. Examine your stress and mental health. Make the preconception period as stress free as possible. If you are already quite a calm person, try to identify how your breathing patterns are. If you are not as calm as you would like to be, try also to consciously take time to take deep breaths and focus your attention to the lower parts of your mind and body. Let that mental calmness manifest itself and each day that we check in on that tranquility is another day that we can look back to regain peace of mind.
• Evaluate your work, school and financial situation.
• Review your health and life insurance.
• Pay attention to your heart and what your body is telling you.
And remember the importance of releasing "the love hormone!" ...Oxytocin. When you touch, kiss, hug, or even speak romantically, your brain releases this love hormone and fills you with joy!
And finally, remember that taking care of your preconception health is about ensuring that your dream of a healthy pregnancy and baby will come true.
For further information on preconception health, please visit the American Pregnancy Association at www.americanpregnancy.org.
