If you suffer with any medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, you should visit your physician to make sure that these are well controlled and that your medication is safe for pregnancy. You should have a pap smear to make sure that it is safe for you to become pregnant now. A blood test can also be done to make sure that you are immune to Rubella. You should also have blood tests done to check for HIV and syphyllis. Some women who have never had chicken pox, choose to be vaccinated so that they do not develop the disease during pregnancy. If you are overweight, you should try to lose weight before becoming pregnant. You should not smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol or use any other illicit drugs if you are planning to become pregnant.
Start using folic acid at least 6 weeks before
becoming pregnant. Folic acid decreases the risk of
spinal abnormalities in the baby, as well as cleft lip and palate. It may also help decrease the chance of heart malformations in the baby.
spinal abnormalities in the baby, as well as cleft lip and palate. It may also help decrease the chance of heart malformations in the baby.
Eat foods which are high in iron (red meat,
green vegetables) and calcium (milk, cheese, yoghurt). You should avoid
raw/undercooked meats including sushi and foods which are high in Vitamin A
such as liver, pate and cod liver oil. You should also limit the amount of
shark, swordfish and marlin you eat as these types of fish contain higher
levels of mercury which can be harmful to the fetus early on in pregnancy.
Limit your caffeine intake to two cups of coffee or 3 cups of tea per day.
If you miss your period, do a pregnancy test
early and visit your doctor to confirm the pregnancy. Next week we will talk
about what to expect during your 1st trimester.
Dr. Reiaz
Mohammed
MB.BS (UWI),
MRCOG (UK)
Specialist
Obstetrician and Gynecologist
Gulf View
Medical Centre
No comments:
Post a Comment