{"id":2705,"date":"2022-04-17T08:39:13","date_gmt":"2022-04-17T08:39:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/toplinemultist.wpengine.com\/theme4\/?p=2705"},"modified":"2022-04-17T08:39:13","modified_gmt":"2022-04-17T08:39:13","slug":"preconception-counseling-who-is-it-for-what-is-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/levine-plastic-surgery\/2022\/04\/17\/preconception-counseling-who-is-it-for-what-is-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Preconception Counseling \u2013 Who Is It For? What Is it?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A healthy and safe pregnancy starts considerably before you actually get pregnant. Proper preparation and preconception care are essential if you want to plan for a stress-free and healthy pregnancy. That said, <\/span><a href=\"\/levine-plastic-surgery\/fern-f-taisenchoy-bent-md\/gynecology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">preconception counseling<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is a go-to practice for many parents-to-be who wish to lower as many risks as possible once finally expecting. We\u2019ll now further delve into the ins and outs of prenatal counseling so that you know what to expect.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Is Preconception Care?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When they\u2019re in their reproductive years, the health of both men and women is often referred to as their preconception health. This particular type of healthcare is focused on family health history, overall health, potential risk factors that could affect conception and pregnancy, as well as their lifestyle and habits.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Preconception healthcare is rather important for anyone who wishes to prepare their body for a healthy pregnancy and boost fertility, regardless of when exactly they\u2019re planning to conceive. This is because most women don\u2019t realize that they\u2019re pregnant during the first couple of weeks after conception; however, this period is especially important for the baby\u2019s proper development. By visiting a preconception specialist, you can ensure that your baby is safe from the earliest pregnancy stage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There are many benefits to having prenatal counseling. For instance, this practice can significantly reduce the risk of premature delivery and newborn\u2019s low birth weight and generally improve birth outcomes. Of course, when you get a personalized preconception health plan after the appointment, you can ensure that your body is ready to carry a healthy and safe pregnancy. Counseling is also essential for pinpointing potential risk factors and securing timely intervention if needed. What\u2019s more, during these appointments, men can also better understand how to improve their own health and provide adequate support to their partner.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Preconception Counseling Health Discussion<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2707\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/levine-plastic-surgery\/theme4\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2022\/08\/Preconception-Counseling-Health-Discussion.jpg\" alt=\"Portrait of Serious Young Lady Talking To Psychologist Counselor Complaining on Bad Relationship With Husband\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Your preconception care should start at least three months before you actively start trying to conceive. During the pre-pregnancy checkup, you can expect your doctor to discuss your health thoroughly. That said, the doctor will ask detailed questions about your family health history, your own medical history in general, your OBGYN history, as well as your lifestyle habits and vaccinations.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Family Health History<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Prenatal counseling is not only reserved for future mothers. When it comes to family health history, the doctor will need to question both parents. After all, certain conditions, mutations, and disorders can be passed down to a child from both the female and male sides. By collecting this info during the pre-pregnancy checkup, the doctor will be able to conclude whether there will be some additional tests necessary. For instance, you can expect questions related to the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Diabetes and hypertension<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Deafness and blindness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Birth defects and ethnic-related illnesses<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mental issues<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Twins or multiples<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Your General Medical History<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Of course, once they get enough information about your and your partner\u2019s family health history, the doctor will then focus the preconception counseling on your own medical history in general. This part of preconception in pregnancy questioning will probably revolve around:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Past hospitalizations, surgeries, and transfusions<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Past and current medical conditions<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Potential allergies<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The meds you might be taking at that moment<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Your OBGYN History<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">After they move on from general medical history, the doctor will proceed to discuss your OBGYN history. This is a very important part of preconception care since certain vaginal infections and STDs could lower the woman\u2019s ability to get pregnant. It\u2019s also possible for your doctor to request blood tests and cervical screenings just to make sure that there are no present infections. You can expect questions related to the following matters:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">History of vaginal infections and STDs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Use of contraception<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Menstrual history and previous pregnancies<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Potential uterine abnormalities<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">History of Pap smears<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Lifestyle and Habits<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Controlled preconception in pregnancy also relies heavily on your habits and lifestyle. Obviously, practicing healthy lifestyle habits is crucial for a healthy pregnancy. This includes following a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, removing any toxins from your personal surroundings, as well as quitting smoking and drugs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Vaccinations<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In some cases, during prenatal counseling, the doctor will proceed to give you some extra vaccines. Since certain vaccines require some time to pass before conceiving, it\u2019s important to provide your doctor with your vaccination records.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Happens During Pre-Pregnancy Checkup?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Preconception counseling appointment usually involves doing several different tests, namely a physical exam and lab tests.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">During the physical exam for preconception in pregnancy, your doctor will inspect the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Lungs, heart, thyroid, breasts, and abdomen<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pelvic health<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Blood pressure<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Weight<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When it comes to lab tests that screen for several conditions and diseases, you may have to do the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A Pap smear<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Complete blood count<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Testing for hepatitis and rubella<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Testing for HIV<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Diabetes screening<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Thyroid issues testing<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It\u2019s not uncommon for your doctor to suggest the best plan to keep track of your menstrual cycle so that you know when your ovulation begins each month. Before you even start trying to conceive, you will probably be instructed to take 400 to 800 mcg of folic acid. The doctor might suggest that your partner proceeds with genetic testing as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>After Preconception Counseling<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2708\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/levine-plastic-surgery\/theme4\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2022\/08\/After-Preconception-Counseling.jpg\" alt=\"Smiling Beautiful Woman and Her Handsome Boyfriend. Happy Cheerful Loving Family Having Tender Moments\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Once you complete your preconception counseling, you can expect to get some recommendations from your doctor, both in terms of healthcare and lifestyle. For instance, you might have to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Quit smoking and drinking<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Lose some weight<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Stop taking certain meds<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Get additional vaccines<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Start taking necessary vitamins and supplements<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Manage stress better<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Visit other medical specialists in regards to certain health issues<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Questions to Ask Your Doctor<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The doctor will have many questions for you, but remember to ask the questions about matters that interest you yourself. Some of the example questions may include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When to stop birth control?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">How long after quitting birth control is it possible to conceive?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Can current medical conditions affect pregnancy and fertility?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What to do about specific prescription meds that are necessary to take?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Is it necessary to get <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Genetic_counseling\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">genetic counseling<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What are the best prenatal vitamins and supplements?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These are just some of the possible questions that you could ask so that you have a general idea and freely prepare your own set of questions before the scheduled preconception appointment. It\u2019s important that you leave this checkup feeling confident about what you should and should not do and what to expect in general.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">While planning pregnancy is definitely an exciting time, it can also be stressful and overwhelming. This is why preconception counseling is always a recommended practice for all women and their partners who wish to remain healthy and also bring a healthy baby into the world. If you wish to schedule a preconception appointment or have any other gynecological matters that you want to discuss and address, don\u2019t hesitate to reach out to the top <\/span><a href=\"\/levine-plastic-surgery\/fern-f-taisenchoy-bent-md\/gynecology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">gynecology specialist in Margate, Florida<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, at Fern TaiSenChoy-Bent M.D. LLC. We offer expert and professional services for all your gynecological needs.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A healthy and safe pregnancy starts considerably before you actually get pregnant. Proper preparation and preconception care are essential if you  [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":86,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2,21],"tags":[209,212,213,215,218],"class_list":["post-2705","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog","category-pregnancy","tag-pre-pregnancy-checkup","tag-preconception-care","tag-preconception-counseling","tag-preconception-in-pregnancy","tag-prenatal-counseling"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/levine-plastic-surgery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2705","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/levine-plastic-surgery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/levine-plastic-surgery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/levine-plastic-surgery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/86"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/levine-plastic-surgery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2705"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/levine-plastic-surgery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2705\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/levine-plastic-surgery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2705"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/levine-plastic-surgery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2705"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/levine-plastic-surgery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2705"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}