Preparing For Pregnancy.

Nothing compares with the miracle and magic of pregnancy. It is your chance to be involved in life's creative process. Planning ahead for this experience can improve your chances of doing well yourself and of having a healthy baby.

You can have an effect on one of the most important factors in your baby's health your lifestyle. By planning ahead, you can ensure you and your baby are exposed to good things and avoid harmful things during your pregnancy.

By the time most women realize they are pregnant, they are 1 to 2 months into their pregnancy. By the time they see their doctor, they are 2 or 3 months along.

The first 12 weeks of pregnancy are extremely important because this is when the baby forms its major organ systems. Many important things can happen before you realize you are pregnant or before you see your doctor. Getting in shape for pregnancy means physical and mental preparation.

Pregnancy is a condition, not an illness; a pregnant woman is not sick. However, you will experience major changes during the course of your pregnancy. Having good general health before pregnancy can help you deal with the physical and emotional stresses of pregnancy, labor and delivery. It can help you prepare to take care of a newborn baby.

Your General Health

There has been an explosion of technology, new medications, medical advances and medical treatments in recent years. Through these advances, we have learned that your health at the beginning of pregnancy and during pregnancy can have a major effect on you and your developing baby.

In the past, the emphasis was on being healthy while pregnant. Today, most doctors suggest looking at pregnancy as lasting 12 months instead of just 9 months. This includes at least a 3-month period of preparation. Preparing your body with good general health can help you prepare for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Seeking Medical Advice

Seeing a doctor before you get pregnant is good preparation for pregnancy. Also consider choosing someone to take care of you during your pregnancy. Arrange for a checkup and discuss your plans with your doctor before you get pregnant. Then you will know that when you do get pregnant, you are in the best possible health.

You may have a medical condition that requires attention before pregnancy. If you don't take care of it before trying to conceive, it may affect your ability to get pregnant. You may need to change medications you are taking, or you may need to make lifestyle changes.

Tests for You

A general physical exam before you get pregnant helps ensure you won't have to deal with new medical problems during pregnancy. A Pap smear and a breast exam should be included in this physical. Lab tests to consider before pregnancy include tests for rubella, blood type and Rh-factor. If you are 35 or older, a mammogram is also a good idea.

If you have been exposed to HIV or hepatitis, have your caregiver conduct tests for these. If you have a family history of other medical problems, such as diabetes, ask your caregiver whether you should have any tests to rule them out. If you have other chronic medical problems, such as anemia or recurrent miscarriages, your healthcare provider may suggest other specific tests.

X-rays and Other Imaging Tests

When you are scheduled to have any test involving radiation, including dental work, ask for a pregnancy test first. Tests that involve radiation include X-rays, CT scans and MRIs. Use reliable contraception before these tests to make sure you are not pregnant. If you schedule these tests right after the end of your period, you can be sure you are not pregnant. If you must receive a series of these tests, continue to use contraception. (See Week 14.)

Medical History

A prepregnancy visit with your doctor is the best time to discuss your medical history and any problems you may have had in other pregnancies. Ask your Healthcare provider what you can do to eliminate or to decrease chances of the same problems recurring in your next pregnancy. This includes dealing with ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, previous C-sections (Cesarean deliveries) or other complications.

This is also a good time to talk about exposure to and problems with sexually transmitted diseases or other infections. If you have had major surgery or any female surgery in the past, discuss it now. If you are being treated for other medical problems, discuss them with your healthcare provider. Make plans to be taking medications that are safe during your pregnancy before you try to get pregnant.

Before going to see the doctor, read and fill out the questionnaire starting on page 6. This questionnaire may be similar to the one you will fill out at your appointment, including medical history, current health, risk factors and so on. Cross-references guide you to further information here. For example, if you have diabetes, the page reference next to "Diabetes" refers you to more information on the condition and how it may affect pregnancy.