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Baby Pregnancy Written by: Nancy Wurtzel |
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The Latin term for pregnancy is graviditas, and this means to conceive and carry young within the uterus of the female. Childbirth usually occurs around 9-10 months after conception, and the field of medicine that studies and treats pregnancy is called obstetrics.
If you are in a comfortable place in your life, and feel ready to start a family then it is important that you think very carefully before conceiving a baby, and prepare both your body and your life for this major event. Taking care of your own health before the baby is conceived can help to give them the best possible start in life. If you have an existing medical condition it is important you make an appointment with your doctor and discuss the impact that pregnancy will have on your health, and many hospitals and private medical insurance providers also offer pre-pregnancy health checks. If you have conditions such as diabetes, lupus, high blood pressure or psychological problems then there is a great deal of additional help you can get during future pregnancies. Your doctor will also check whether you have any genetic problems in your family and whether you are at risk from potential miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies or delivery complications
Some other tests you should have carried out as part of your pre-pregnancy health check are:
* Cervical smear - you should be having regular smear tests anyway, but it is important to have a smear if you are intending to conceive, as it can highlight any problems with your cervix and vagina.
* Urine analysis - this will identify whether you have any urinary infections, which have been linked to miscarriage and premature births.
* Blood test - this will identify whether you any blood abnormalities such as anaemia, and can also be used to check for genetic diseases such as sickle-cell anaemia and thalssaemia.
* Blood Pressure test - hypertension (high blood pressure) in pregnant woman can lead to serious placental problems, so it is important to get this under control before you conceive.
* Screening tests - tests for sexually transmitted diseases such as Chlamydia, Hepatitis B, syphilis, and HIV/AIDS are available if you feel you may be at risk, and these conditions need to be treated before you conceive. In some cases, such as with HIV/AIDS you may have to reconsider your plans, as some diseases can be passed on to the baby in the womb.
* Immunisation Updates - many common infections can cause miscarriage and birth defects, so ensure that you have had all your inoculations at least 6 months before conceiving. You may also want to get a vaccination against chicken pox if you have not already had it, as this can cause serious problems for unborn babies if the mother becomes infected. If you work in a job that carries a risk of Hepatitis B and Tetanus you may also wish to consider a vaccination for these disease as well.
* Parasitic disease test - foetus and newborn babies are very vulnerable to common parasitic diseases such as toxoplasmosis, so ensure you have a blood test to rule these out. Also make sure you wear gloves when you are gardening or cleaning up after pets, and take extra care when handling raw meat.
* Folic acid intake - it is very difficult to get the recommended daily allowance of folic acid, and this becomes very important during pregnancy, as a lack of this can lead to serious neural birth defects such as spina bifida. It is advised that you begin building up your folic acid intake whilst you are trying for a baby and also at least 12 weeks into the pregnancy, and you should ask your doctor for some advice on how much folic acid you will need to take every day.
Also in preparation for a pregnancy you should adjust your lifestyle and stop smoking and heavy drinking, as none of this is good for either you or a baby. Your doctor will be able to give you some additional support on dealing with any ingrained habits or addictions, and also advise you on which prescribed medications you can take safely during pregnancy. |
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