Planning for a pregnancy is an exciting experience, but sometimes women feel overwhelmed by how many things we need to get in order. Checking your health and treating any medical conditions you may have is one of the most important things you need to do before becoming pregnant to have a safe pregnancy.

 

The following are some advice on how to approach health issues before becoming pregnant:

 

Chronic Conditions

If you already have any chronic medical condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, ask your doctor how pregnancy can be affected by it, and how you can cope.

 

Full Medical Exam

Visit your doctor and ask for a full medical exam. This helps in detecting health issues you may not realize you have and deal with them before becoming pregnant.

 

Medicine

If you are taking certain medications or supplements, let your physician know what you are using and that you are planning to become pregnant. Some medications are not safe to use before becoming pregnant and need to be stopped a few months before conception.

 

Vaccines

Vaccines can go a long way in protecting you and your baby from infections when you are pregnant. Check with your doctor before you become pregnant, and ask what vaccines you should get.

 

Dentist Visit

Pregnancy can cause complications that affect your teeth and gum health. Additionally, some dental problems may be difficult to deal with while pregnant. Therefore, it is better to visit a dentist to check your dental health and treat any issues before becoming pregnant.

 

Surgeries

Discuss any surgeries you previously had with your doctor, especially if you had gynecologic surgeries. This may not affect your pregnancy per se, but it may offer valuable information for your doctor.

 

Medical History

Discuss your medical history with your doctor, and let the doctor know if you have any conditions that run in the family, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and a tendency to develop blood clots. This allows your doctor to determine if you are at an increased risk of developing pregnancy complications to prepare you on how to recognize and deal with them.