Many women decide that it’s time for a baby based on their emotional readiness to be a mom; however, it’s crucial to assess whether your body is ready for it. That said, there’s no better way to prepare your body for pregnancy than to make a preconception appointment with your doctor. This is especially beneficial for women who have some chronic health issues or are in their 30s or 40s. Preconception planning can actually increase the possibility of having a healthy pregnancy, and as the name suggests, you’ll get the most out of it before you’ve conceived.
The Matter of Birth Control
In general, even if you’ve been using combination birth control pills, you should get your period normally about 30 days after going off the pill. If you’ve been wondering how long it takes to get pregnant after being pill-free, you might be able to conceive after just one to two months when you can use your period to estimate the ovulation date. However, some women might want to wait for a couple of months before getting pregnant, and during that time, a condom is the best protection.
However, in the case of progestin injections or other forms of long-term birth control, it might take a while to be fertile again. On average, about 50% of women have conceived successfully in the first ten months after quitting progestin injections.
Are Your Vaccines Up to Date?
Chickenpox and measles present a real danger to the fetus. The immunity to infections like these is essential for a healthy pregnancy. That said, it might be necessary to get vaccinated and do all the accompanying blood tests about a month before you start trying to conceive.
Potentially Chronic Medical Conditions
A part of preconception planning involves keeping certain chronic medical conditions under control before conceiving. If you suffer from high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes, or some other health issue, your doctor might suggest a change in medication or additional treatment before getting pregnant. You will also have to adjust your own self-care practices during pregnancy to ensure that both you and the baby are safe.
Be Open About Meds and Supplements
It’s essential that you disclose all of the medications and supplements you’re taking, even the herbal ones, during your preconception appointments. These could potentially affect the fetus, pregnancy, and even how long it takes to get pregnant. The doctor might suggest a different dose or an alternative to certain meds or tell you to stop taking it altogether during this period.
There’s also a high probability that your doctor will recommend folic acid that should be taken about three months before getting pregnant. Basically, folic acid promotes healthier pregnancy as it prevents defects of the baby’s neural tube. Namely, the neural tube develops into the baby’s spinal cord and brain.
The Risk of Sexually Transmitted Diseases
It’s crucial that you discuss the risks of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) with your doctor. STDs such as chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea can affect the ability to conceive. And even if you manage to conceive, being infected by an STD during the pregnancy can pose a tremendous health risk to both the baby and the mother. Therefore, if you have any suspicion about a possible risk of STD infections for both you and your partner, make sure to notify your doctor about it so that adequate screenings and treatments can be timely introduced.
Consider Family Health History
When you decide you want a child, it’s important to consider your and your partner’s medical family history as well as the history of pregnancy. If there were cases of certain medical conditions and pregnancy issues, your baby is at a higher risk as well. The best way to go about potential genetic concerns is to schedule a preconception appointment with a genetic counselor.
Your and Your Partner’s Age
The older a woman is during her maternal age, the higher the risk of fertility issues is. There is also an increased risk of other conditions, such as some chromosomal problems and pregnancy loss. Older mothers are also more susceptible to complications during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes. It’s not just a mother’s age that’s a factor for a healthy pregnancy, though. The father’s age can also affect the pregnancy. With preconception planning, you can discuss the best options and care even if you are a bit older parents-to-be and provide the safest conditions for the fetus to grow.
Your Own History of Pregnancy
If you’ve conceived and given birth before, it’s crucial to share your previous experience and any potential complications you might have had. These include premature birth and C-sections as well as health conditions in pregnancy such as gestational diabetes and high blood pressure.
In case there were neural tube defects in your previous pregnancies or even in your first-degree relatives, make sure to disclose this information. Your doctor will probably suggest taking a higher folic acid dose in this situation.
Make sure to be very open with your doctor about any concerns you may have due to your history of pregnancy. They will create a proper treatment/care plan for you and explain everything in detail in order to effectively increase your chance of having a healthy pregnancy.
Practice Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Your lifestyle can considerably affect your pregnancy. If you’ve been wondering just how long does it take to get pregnant, the general answer would be between six months to a year of actively trying for most women. However, this time can be shorter or longer, depending on your lifestyle choices. This isn’t only true for the period when you’re trying to conceive. The moment you notice the first signs of pregnancy, it’s essential to continue practicing healthy habits to keep your body in the best possible condition:
- Follow the suggested diet and exercise routine according to your doctor’s instructions
- If your doctor suggests managing your weight, regardless of whether you’re under or overweight, make sure to take their advice seriously
- Completely avoid drinking alcohol or taking illegal drugs
- In case you’re a smoker, you will have to quit; this isn’t easy, so don’t hesitate to ask your doctor for available resources that could help you with this
- Do everything you can to manage your stress levels properly
- Be very transparent about your home and work environment as well as your hobbies and pets you may have as this will allow your doctor to pinpoint potentially toxic exposures that may be harmful to you
It’s highly recommended that your partner goes to the preconception appointments with you. Their lifestyle choices and overall health can also be a big factor when it comes to your and your baby’s health.
Preconception planning can make a huge difference in your ability to conceive and manage a healthy pregnancy. If you find that you’re emotionally ready to take this next step in your life but aren’t sure whether your body can keep up, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at University Park OBGYN and visit our GYN care and obstetrics Sarasota, FL office. We will make sure you’re in the best possible hands when it comes to your own health as well as the health of your future child.
