Below are some useful guides for when you are deciding to have baby.
- Decide if you will be private or public patient. There are huge differences between private and public pregnancy and childbirth care, with public being the inferior quality, poor cousin of private pregnancy care. If you want to be a private patient check you have health fund cover. If not, check that you have adequate financial savings. If not, see if there is someone such as parents, grandparents, another relative, or a good friend who will be prepared to help you pay for your private pregnancy management. With buying houses these days, it is very common for family members to contribute money towards the cost of the house so the couple can afford to buy their house.
- Arrange a ‘well woman pre-pregnancy’ check-up with your GP. Your GP can check with you your vaccination status, your family and past health history, do a clinical examination including a cervical screening test if needed, arrange appropriate blood tests, and arrange vaccinations as needed. If you have a pre-pregnancy health condition such as hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disease, your GP can help you may sure you are being optimally managed before conceiving. If you are on a medication your GP can check if it is safe to take in pregnancy. If not, your GP can change your medication to pregnancy safe one and make sure the dose is correct before you conceive.
- You should stop taking the oral contraceptive pill 3 months before conceiving. The pill can deplete your folic acid reserve and being on the pill just before you conceive can make it more difficult to calculate your due date (EDC). There is no need to have an IUCD removed until you start trying.
- Start taking folic acid – 0.5mg per day unless there is reason to be on higher dose. Most women prefer to take a pregnancy supplement. These have folic acid in them.
- Be in optimal health. This does not mean joining a gym. Rather it is trying to get healthier with brisk regular walks and other exercise, etc. Being pregnant is tiring and pushing in second stage labour is hard work, and so it is good to be as fit as possible before you conceive.
- Be at an optimal weight. Check your BMI with an online BMI calculator. If you are of excessive weight endeavour to lose the extra Kgs before conceiving.
- Have a good quality diet. You will soon be eating for 2 and not 1, so get into the habit of eating well. Good quality home cooked meals are best. Try to minimise your intake of takeaways and food with lots of preservatives. Have minimal intake of junk food and soft drinks.
- Stop smoking and stop illegal drugs, if relevant. Both are dangerous for baby when you are pregnant and not good for your health anyway.
- Restrict your alcohol intake. I have no objection to you having the occasional alcoholic drink while pregnant. The evidence is lacking that it will damage your baby.
- Start planning. Start thinking about what you will need when baby comes. This includes where will baby’s cot go, will your car be adequate, etc. There is no need to do anything yet, but it is a good idea to start planning.
