Planning a baby is probably one of the best phases of a parent’s life. It signifies that you are physically, mentally, psychologically, and financially prepared to bring another life into this world to nurture and care for. Bringing a baby into the world requires meticulous efforts and guidance without which it can be challenging to manage, especially if it is your first baby.
Always follow the practitioner’s advice over the internet
With social media and the internet flooded with information, sometimes contradicting, sometimes conflicting, it can get overwhelming at times when you have queries in your mind. If you are trying to get pregnant, simply putting your questions away in a search engine can tend to mislead you. Before you make a decision, we always recommend seeking medical advice from a practicing professional instead of leaving anything to chance.
But whom do you ask?
When it comes to planning a baby, you need to consult a doctor.
But which one?
Do you go to an obstetrician or a gynecologist?
What is the difference between the two?
Gynecologists are specialized doctors who manage and deal with reproductive health, diseases, and concerns in patients who identify as women. Obstetricians on the other hand deal with childbirth, pre-natal and post-natal care.
Choosing your care provider
Whenever and if ever you choose to get pregnant, the first thing you need to look for is a trusted care provider. If at any given point in time you feel uncomfortable, you should also have a backup whom you can switch to if there is a need.
Before you head over to the care provider, we recommend keeping the below 7 questions handy such that you have complete clarity before you try and get pregnant.
1. Birth control
If you are trying to get pregnant now and have been on birth control, it might be safe to say that you would have to alter the frequency of the medication. In this case, you want to ask your care provider about the birth control situation. If it is oral contraceptive pills, you might want to ask if you can stop taking them completely.
In the case of physical birth control measures such as IUDs or other devices, your practitioner might have to remove them before you start trying for a baby. The best way to conclude is to check with your care provider to proceed further.
2. Are fertility tests necessary?
If you are trying to get pregnant, you might want to ask your doctor if fertility tests are necessary. Although undergoing fertility tests is not necessary, you might want to check for the tubes, sperms, genetics, hormones, and uterus health before you start trying to have a baby.
For couples who are at an advanced parental age, the tests might be indicative of any underlying issues that might need to be addressed. Before going for the tests, it is also recommended that you check the coverage for the same under your health insurance for better facilities.
3. What about pre-natal vitamins?
We tend to ignore our micro-nutrient intake just like every other adult. However, carrying a baby is not an easy feat. In a situation where your iron, calcium, zinc, or other micro-nutrient levels are off, it might pose a serious life threat to the carrier and the baby.
To rule out such threats and risks, check with your medical practitioner regarding the consumption of prenatal vitamins. Over-the-counter medication such as folic acid, vitamin c, and calcium, can help you rule out neural tube defects in the baby.
4. How do existing gynecological issues impact the chances of getting pregnant?
In case the expectant parent has a history of gynecological issues such as fibroids, tumors, prior ectopic pregnancy, PCOS, endometriosis, etc. they might be psychologically stressed about the chances of getting pregnant. Several articles cloud the rational and make them think that getting pregnant is not even a possibility if you have existing issues. However, that is not the case.
You can ask your care provider to discuss this further with you. If there have been previous issues during pregnancy such as gestational diabetes, high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia, early labor, pre-mature delivery, or otherwise, it is a possibility that the healthcare provider would want to conduct a few more tests before giving you the go-ahead flag.
5. How will pregnancy affect existing health conditions?
If you have a history of mental health issues such as depression or anxiety, you might want to check with your care provider regarding the same. Pregnancy tends to alter hormone levels and can cause elevated symptoms of the former. If you have been taking prescription medications, then you might want to inform the same to your doctor.
This is also applicable for other health conditions such as high blood pressure, and diabetes, share the medical history, medication details, and other relevant information for proper guidance from the care provider. Sharing these details before getting pregnant can help your doctor guide you better and manage your symptoms better before, during, and after pregnancy.
6. Lower iron levels in the body
Anemia is a very common condition that affects most women during pregnancy. It is significant for the iron levels in your body. When it gets lower, your red blood cells become less efficient in carrying oxygen to your other body parts. This results in tiredness, nausea, and other symptoms. As a result, most practitioners recommend pre-natal blood tests to determine blood levels, iron levels, vitamin levels, and thyroid levels to manage the symptoms properly.
Even though anemia can be treated with food, it is always advised that you club them with your pre-natal iron tablets to avoid any complications in the future.
7. What do you eat?
With several self-proclaimed nutritionists, it can get overwhelming when it comes to managing diet during pre-pregnancy. What foods help you conceive better? What helps your progesterone levels? Well, most likely your practitioner will refer you to a nutritionist or a dietician who can help you design a diet based on your lifestyle. A completely balanced and nutritional food intake can help you, in the long run, to maintain those mineral and micronutrient levels without compromising your health.
How does 67TH Street OB/Gyn help you?
67TH Street OB/Gyn is a comprehensive service provider who can help you during all phases of childbirth. Their services offer pre-natal, post-partum, and post-natal care which includes minimally invasive surgery, counseling, fetal chromosome checks, and other services relevant to pregnancy and child care. Hope you like the post.