7 steps to conception: how to plan a pregnancy

Alcohol exclusion

Like smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages affects the fertility of the female body. Long-term use of ethyl alcohol in large doses can cause atrophy of the ovaries, the main organ responsible for the onset of ovulation.

Alcohol consumption is a type of addiction, so a woman planning to conceive should give it up in advance. Taking ethyl alcohol has a negative effect on the body of the unborn child.

Even a small amount of beer or dry wine can have irreversible consequences. Ethyl alcohol increases the likelihood of placental abruption and miscarriage. Also, chronic alcohol consumption can cause developmental abnormalities in a child. The nervous system of the fetus suffers the most - children whose mothers took alcoholic beverages lag behind their peers in mental development.

Chronic alcoholism causes fetal hypoxia. It leads to retardation of intrauterine growth and development of the unborn child. Drinking alcohol also increases the likelihood of stillbirth.

The most important things about preparing for pregnancy:

Normalization of body weight

Increased or decreased body weight can cause problems with conception and pregnancy. To determine the normal weight of the expectant mother, you should calculate your BMI (body mass index). Its optimal values ​​lie between 18 and 25. To calculate BMI, divide your weight in kilograms by the square of your height in meters.

Excessive thinness causes female infertility. Fat cells are involved in the exchange of sex hormones; when they are severely deficient, menstrual irregularities and lack of ovulation are observed.

Obesity, like underweight, negatively affects the fertility of the female body. Increased body weight disrupts progesterone synthesis and is a producing factor for polycystic ovary syndrome. Also, extra pounds increase the load on the mother’s musculoskeletal, urinary and cardiovascular systems during pregnancy.

To normalize body weight, a woman planning a pregnancy is advised to maintain a calorie diet. It is also useful for the expectant mother to engage in sports during the period of preparation for pregnancy. Developed muscle tissue has a beneficial effect on the course of pregnancy.

How to prepare for pregnancy: tips for parents

Having made the decision to conceive a baby, a man and a woman must remember that the birth of a child is a huge responsibility and in this difficult matter everything is not always smooth. In this regard, it is important to carry out not only physical preparation, but also to have the right psychological attitude. We bring to your attention some tips that will help you plan your pregnancy and prevent many unwanted consequences.

Folic acid during pregnancy planning

Doctors recommend starting to take folic acid three months before expected conception. This is necessary to saturate the body with vitamin B9. Both mother and father need to take the drug, because their biological material is equally important for the health of the unborn baby. The importance of folic acid during the planning period of the baby:

• Healthy egg development.
• Increased sperm motility.
• Reducing the number of low-quality male cells.
• Improving metabolic processes in the body.
• Better absorption of other vitamins and minerals.
• Improves appetite and functioning of the digestive system.

In addition, folic acid promotes better formation of red blood cells and increased hemoglobin. Thanks to this, taking vitamin B9 can reduce the risk of various developmental defects in the fetus. After all, if there is a deficiency of certain components in the body, this negatively affects the health of the mother and baby.

The dosage of the drug is selected exclusively by a specialist. Taking vitamin B9 on your own is not recommended.

History taking

The medical history procedure is carried out during planning for conceiving a child in each clinic. This is explained by the fact that the risk of transmitting various hereditary diseases is quite high. Diseases that can be transmitted at the genetic level include diabetes mellitus, gestational hypertension and other pathologies. Parents should be aware of these risks and pay close attention to the health of their unborn baby.

The best vitamins for women preparing for fertilization

To increase female fertility, B vitamins are essential. In addition, it is important to saturate the body with vitamins A, E, D, K, C and others. Modern pharmaceuticals offer a wide selection of drugs that can be taken without fear when planning and during pregnancy. Let's look at them:

• Vitrum Prenatal. You should prepare for pregnancy in advance. During this period, the doctor may advise the woman to take Vitrum Prenatal vitamins. The drug contains a high amount of vitamins and minerals that promote better production of female hormones. Thanks to this, the likelihood of conceiving a baby increases significantly.
• Elevit Pronatal. This complex is ideal both during pregnancy planning and during gestation. Elevit contains a lot of vitamins and iron.
• Mom Alphabet. Dietary supplement that should be taken every 4 hours. Despite the inconvenience of the method of application, vitamins have a positive effect on the female body and the development of the child.
• Pregnavit. The drug is affordable, which is why it is popular. Its disadvantage is that it does not contain iodine and minerals. They have to be taken separately.
• Mom is complimentary. The complex includes vitamins A, D, E and others. The drug is best suited for use in the warm season. In winter, you need to take additional vitamins.

A woman should take any pills when planning a pregnancy or while carrying a baby strictly as prescribed by the doctor.

It doesn’t matter whether she is preparing to become a mother for the first time or the next one. Self-use can cause harm to the body of mother and child.

Rejection of bad habits

To prepare the body for such an important task as the birth of a baby, it is very important to give up bad habits. Alcohol and tobacco contain a lot of harmful components, so their use has the most negative effect on the pregnancy of the baby. In addition, tobacco inhibits the ovulation process.

Smoking during pregnancy causes serious harm to the baby. Against this background, fetal intoxication and oxygen starvation develop. Alcohol increases the likelihood of placental abruption and the development of defects in the baby.

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Weight normalization

Often, too much or too little weight causes difficulties in conceiving. The fact is that fat cells take an active part in the metabolic processes of the body. If there is little fat, menstrual irregularities often occur, which leads to infertility. Excessive body weight also entails certain problems with conception. Obesity leads to disruption of the production of the female hormone progesterone.

In this regard, a woman planning a pregnancy should follow proper nutrition and monitor her weight. In addition, it is important to maintain sufficient physical activity, walk in the fresh air more often, and do gymnastics. Muscle fibers must be elastic, as this has a positive effect on the progress of pregnancy.

Comprehensive medical examination

Preparations for conceiving a child should begin with a full medical examination of the mother and father. This is an excellent prevention of the development of various abnormalities in a child. This examination includes the following stages:

• Examination of a woman on a gynecological chair.
• Taking a smear test for sexually transmitted diseases.
• Medical examination according to compulsory medical insurance.
• Blood test for hormones and other indicators.
• The man must undergo an examination by a urologist and donate blood.

If a girl has a miscarriage or a frozen pregnancy, the doctors’ task is to find the causes of this condition. As a rule, the causes are infectious-inflammatory diseases and hormonal imbalances.

If a woman in labor has had a Caesarean section, she should undergo an ultrasound examination in preparation for her second pregnancy. If the sutures have not healed sufficiently, it is better to postpone pregnancy planning for some time. Uterine incompetence can lead to suture dehiscence and miscarriage. Women over 40 need to have their ovarian health checked before conceiving. Sometimes early menopause occurs at this age.

Do you want to know in detail what the first screening during pregnancy is? Then this article is for you.

Genetico preparation

When planning a baby, preparation includes consultation with a geneticist. After a mother’s 35th birthday, the baby’s risk of developing various genetic diseases increases, so it is very important to try to minimize them. This can be done by identifying the genotype in the mother and father and the carriage of pathogenic mutations. During the study, a specialist may suspect the development of color blindness, thrombophilia, phenylketonuria, achondroplasia and other diseases.

It is mandatory for couples with a history of more than two miscarriages to undergo genetic counseling. This is due to the fact that miscarriages are often a consequence of the development of severe genetic abnormalities that are incompatible with the life of the fetus. A medical examination helps identify risks and provide necessary treatment. During IVF, the couple must be constantly monitored by geneticists.

Planning pregnancy with chronic diseases

While carrying a baby, the load on all organs and systems of the mother increases significantly. This applies to the musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular and urinary systems. In this regard, in the presence of chronic diseases, efforts should be made to compensate for them. This applies to pathologies of the heart and blood vessels, kidneys, liver and other organs.

If you have diabetes, a woman should take control of the disease. This is done with the help of a special diet. Diabetes mellitus also requires medications. Elevated blood glucose levels negatively affect the development of the baby. If conception has already occurred, the girl must undergo a glucose tolerance test to determine the concentration of sugar in the blood. A woman can find out how to prepare for a glucose test from her gynecologist. In public clinics the procedure is performed free of charge.

Psychological preparation for motherhood

The moral readiness of the mother and father during pregnancy planning is an important aspect. The entire process of bearing a baby and childbirth, as well as subsequent care for the newborn, depends on the psychological mood. When planning conception, parents should psychologically tune in to a positive mood, try to eliminate stress and quarrels, and, if necessary, visit a psychologist. Psychological tension and stress are often the causes of miscarriages and other problems.

Visiting the dentist

To prepare yourself for pregnancy, you should definitely visit a dentist. It is recommended that both parents do this. If a husband or wife has bad teeth, it is better to carry out treatment before conception. The fact is that caries is a constant source of pathogenic microflora, which causes the risk of infection entering the internal organs. This will lead to an inflammatory process and a decrease in the mother's immunity.

Refusal of contraception

Before planning a pregnancy, it is important to stop using hormonal contraceptives at least six months in advance. This may negatively affect the development of the fetus. If a girl has taken oral contraceptives, she needs to consult a gynecologist. The fact is that the female body needs time to return to independent regulation of hormones.

When hormonal contraceptives are discontinued, a woman often matures two eggs at once. This can lead to the girl becoming a mother of two or three children.

Exercise during preparation

How far in advance should you prepare for pregnancy? As already mentioned, a woman should remember future motherhood throughout her life. She needs to give up bad habits, eat right, try to eliminate stress, and maintain sufficient physical activity. To do this, you can use the following list of exercises:

• Bend forward and to the sides.
• Squats.
• Twisting.
• Scissors and bicycle exercises.
• Push ups.
• Walking in place.
• Jumping rope.

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Running and swimming perfectly strengthen the muscle frame. Any exercises should be done carefully and monitor your condition. It is also necessary to walk in the fresh air every day, eat enough fruits and vegetables, vitamins, and minerals. Both partners need to adhere to proper nutrition.

Reading specialized literature

Pre-conception preparation for pregnancy includes reading specialized literature. A psychologist or leading gynecologist will tell parents what books to read. You can read Elena Berezovskaya’s advice on planning conception and other literature. Reviews from spouses indicate that this type of preparation is very important for happy motherhood.

Invitro tests

It is important for a young couple preparing for pregnancy to undergo all necessary tests. This can be done in the Invitro laboratory. It should be noted that the tests here are paid, so you should weigh the pros and cons before the procedure. If a mother is observed in a public clinic, the laboratory at this institution, as a rule, provides its free services.

Warm family atmosphere

A married couple should remember that warm communication without scandals should be present not only during pregnancy and after the birth of a child, but also during planning for conception. Psychological calm is the key to the well-being of men and women.

To do this, you need to try to minimize conflicts and learn to calmly solve problems. This will not only help eliminate various complications during pregnancy, but also strengthen family relationships.

How does conception planning work for men?

For representatives of the stronger half, planning a conception is just as important as for women. This is due to the fact that the quality of seed material depends on many factors. For example, from lifestyle, chronic diseases, bad habits, work schedule and other things. Before conceiving a baby, a man needs to have a spermogram. This study allows us to assess the quality of male cells. To improve sperm quality, the father should follow these recommendations:

• Eat properly.
• Give up alcohol and cigarettes.
• Try to avoid stress.
• Exercise.
• Take frequent walks in the fresh air.
• Treat acute and chronic diseases in a timely manner.

In addition, doctors do not advise a man to visit bathhouses, saunas, or take hot baths when planning a baby. High temperature negatively affects the quality of seminal fluid. To support men's health, dad is recommended to take vitamin complexes. The father must be tested for sexually transmitted infections. Sometimes they have a hidden course, so many men are not even aware of them.

In addition to physical readiness, dad must realize that he is mentally ready. This aspect is not in last place when planning a pregnancy.

Proper nutrition for spouses

To conceive a healthy baby, a woman must take care of a healthy diet. This is an important stage in pregnancy planning. In the table you can find useful and harmful foods for mommy at this stage.

A woman can consume products from the non-recommended list in very limited quantities. There is no need to completely abandon them. But the diet should be dominated by cereals, vegetables, fruits, dairy, fermented milk products and natural juices. Preparing for pregnancy like a man with the help of proper nutrition is not so careful, but you should still give up alcohol and fast food.

Taking folic acid

Folic acid or vitamin B9 is a substance necessary for normal cell division. Its deficiency during pregnancy provokes defects in the neural tube of the embryo and other pathologies associated with abnormal tissue growth processes.

A woman planning to conceive a baby should start taking folic acid 3-6 months before her expected pregnancy. Lack of vitamin B9 causes pathologies on the mother's side - anemia and bone marrow dysfunction. Also, a deficiency of this substance can provoke female infertility.

Having a gynecological examination

A gynecological examination at the planning stage is the prevention of various complications of pregnancy. It includes a visual and instrumental examination in a chair, a vaginal smear for testing and a hormonal profile.

Preparation after a missed pregnancy or miscarriage should include searching for the reasons for the miscarriage. Quite common causes of spontaneous abortion are genital infections and progesterone deficiency. Both conditions can be eliminated with the help of competent medical care.

Preparation for a second pregnancy after a cesarean section necessarily includes an ultrasound examination of the uterine scar. Its failure can cause organ rupture in the last weeks of gestation or during childbirth.

If a woman is planning to conceive after 40 years of age, she should have her ovaries checked. Quite often at this age, functional atrophy of the organ occurs. Ovarian failure is an indication for the use of a donor egg and IVF.

What tests should I take before pregnancy?

For a more successful and faster conception, as well as the subsequent birth of a healthy baby, it is recommended that both parents take a number of tests:

• general analysis of urine and blood;
• blood chemistry;
• analysis for TORCH infections that pose a threat to the child (toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes);
• analysis for genital infections (usually done by taking smears for the presence of chlamydia, gonorrhea, ureaplasmosis, etc.);
• determination of Rh factors;
• blood test for HIV, hepatitis B and C.

Genetic consultation

Preparing for pregnancy after 30 years of age should include genetic counseling. This procedure is recommended for women of any age. However, after 30-35 years, the likelihood of congenital anomalies in the unborn child increases significantly. This feature is due to the fact that with age, the mother’s eggs accumulate genetic mutations.

The specialist determines the genotype of a man and a woman, identifying the carriage of pathogenic mutations. The doctor can determine the likelihood of a child developing diseases such as thrombophilia, color blindness, achondroplasia, phenylketonuria, and cystic fibrosis.

Consultation with a geneticist is mandatory for a couple with a history of more than 2-3 miscarriages in a row. Quite often, spontaneous abortion is a consequence of congenital developmental anomalies that are incompatible with life.

And to the gynecologist (and the future dad - to the urologist)

Your gynecologist and urologist should check how healthy you are overall and how ready you are for pregnancy. You can go to specialized doctors as a last resort. At the same time, take mandatory tests for sexually transmitted infections and standard smears.

This concludes the main list of doctors.

There is no need to run to a geneticist for everyone. Only for those who have had genetic diseases in their family, to check whether there are risks. Otherwise, the examination is more likely to sow unnecessary doubts than to help.

Compensation for chronic diseases

Pregnancy is a kind of test of a woman’s body. During pregnancy, the load on all the mother's systems increases. That is why, in order to fully prepare for pregnancy, the expectant mother should compensate for chronic pathologies.

Diseases of the cardiovascular and urinary systems have the greatest impact on the course of pregnancy. Pathologies such as arterial hypertension, chronic renal failure, and coronary disease are especially dangerous.

Also, the expectant mother should compensate for her existing diabetes as much as possible. During pregnancy, increased or decreased blood glucose concentrations have a negative impact on fetal development.

Gather information about your pregnancy

You should always start with information. Understand why pregnancy occurs at all, how it goes, how the fetus will develop and what to expect from childbirth. This needs to be done in advance. Then at least it will be clear how the body will behave.

You need to ask and learn from specialists, and not from folk experts from forums. There are schools and courses for future parents that can and should be attended not only during pregnancy, but also before it.

Collect information together with your partner. This is not just a woman's job.

Refusal of hormonal contraception

At this stage of medicine, the exact effect of oral contraceptives on the development of the unborn child is unknown. A woman planning a pregnancy should stop taking hormonal pills in advance - at least for one menstrual cycle.

After discontinuation of the drugs, the woman’s body returns to independent hormonal regulation. This process may take several months. When oral contraceptives are discontinued, several eggs may simultaneously mature in the first cycle. This may result in the conception of two or more children.

Difficulties in planning

Not all couples succeed in getting pregnant the first time. There can be many reasons, both on the male and female sides:

• mature age,
• the presence of diseases of the reproductive organs,
• weight,
• hidden infections
• stress,
• hereditary factor, etc.

IMPORTANT! If attempts to get pregnant are unsuccessful throughout the year, then this is a reason for additional examination.

The most common problem you may encounter when planning a pregnancy is lack of ovulation . To stimulate the release of an egg, a woman is prescribed hormonal medications.

Sometimes pregnancy fails in the early stages due to insufficient endometrial volume or low progesterone levels. These problems are solved by using hormonal drugs on certain days of the menstrual cycle .

In situations where hormonal drugs are helpless, surgical intervention is used. This may be laparoscopic or abdominal surgery . Laparoscopy is considered a diagnostic procedure, but within its framework it is also possible to remove various formations on the genital organs. Abdominal surgery is performed in the presence of more serious problems.

IMPORTANT! Treatment may take some time. Therefore, future parents should be patient and control their psychological state.

Proper nutrition

Diet is one of the factors for successful conception and easy pregnancy. A woman should get used to dietary restrictions in advance, since during pregnancy it will be difficult for her to give up her favorite and tasty food.

The daily diet of the expectant mother should include a sufficient amount of protein. Their best sources are lean meats, poultry and fish, as well as eggs and dairy products. A woman planning a pregnancy is recommended to eat cereals, cereals, fresh vegetables, fruits and berries, as well as nuts.

When preparing for conception, the expectant mother should limit the consumption of processed foods, smoked, fatty and canned foods. She is also advised to reduce the amount of chocolate and other sweets in her daily diet.

How to prepare for conception after a miscarriage

Miscarriage is a psychologically and physiologically significant event. On a psychological level, it can cause severe damage to a woman.

In order for your next pregnancy to proceed well, you must follow several rules:

• Lead a healthy lifestyle.
• If possible, do not take any medications.
• Do not be stressed, live in a calm and moderate rhythm.
• Do not do hard work and give up sports for a while.
• Do not contact sick people.
• Eat only healthy foods and vitamin complexes.

If the miscarriage was late, you need to start planning the next pregnancy only 2 years after the previous pregnancy, so that there is no relapse.

Taking vitamin E

Vitamin E or tocopherol is responsible for the maturation of the eggs of the expectant mother. Its deficiency in the diet can cause infertility. The largest amount of vitamin E is found in food of animal origin - chicken eggs, milk, meat, liver. However, tocopherol is also found in plant foods - sunflower oil, almonds, walnuts, rowan, and rose hips.

With a severe lack of vitamin E, a woman may experience various symptoms. These include dry skin, decreased visual acuity, brittle nails, absent-mindedness, spots on the skin. In this case, the expectant mother is recommended to take tocopherol preparations.

Communication with your spouse

When preparing for pregnancy, expectant parents are encouraged to communicate with each other about planning a child. Such conversations strengthen the emotional connection between spouses and allow them to get to know each other better. Also, during communication, you can draw up a rough plan for raising your future baby, based on the preferences of both parents.

It is useful for the expectant mother to find out her partner’s attitude towards the baby before conception. Sometimes she will have to reconsider her views on certain things and come to compromises with her husband. Solving everyday problems after pregnancy can lead to quarrels and misunderstandings.

Which doctor should I contact?

Where to go when preparing for pregnancy and which doctor to go to? In order to physically and mentally prepare for bearing a baby, a young couple should visit more than one specialist. Let's find out which doctors the couples go through. First of all, you should make an appointment with a gynecologist. In addition, you will need the help of a geneticist, urologist, or family psychologist. Sometimes a visit to a cardiologist, dentist, immunologist and other doctors is required. Throughout the entire period of bearing a child, the leading gynecologist will keep a special protocol or diary in which all data on the health of the mother and child will be collected.

Studying specialized literature

Before the planned conception, the expectant mother is recommended to carefully study all the nuances of the process. A woman should become familiar with the mechanisms of fertilization, the course of pregnancy, and the upcoming birth. Knowledge helps you prepare for bearing a baby and not be afraid of various problems.

Also, a woman planning a pregnancy is recommended to study books and films on raising and caring for children. The expectant mother should know in advance the rules for feeding, washing and swaddling the baby.

Get started

If you can’t get pregnant right away, don’t despair and don’t exhaust your body with trips to the doctors! It is completely normal if this process takes about a year.

By following the doctors' recommendations, you will soon receive the long-awaited two stripes, and in the future - a healthy child

Sometimes young married couples perform a large number of completely unnecessary machinations: they calculate the date of the next ovulation, create a schedule for intimacy, look for magic remedies for a quick pregnancy using folk methods.

All you need now is to relax and make love with your partner. Don’t get hung up on conceiving soon; prepare your body first!