Kavya (age 28), a bank officer who had been married for a year, came to my clinic last Tuesday with her husband.
"Dr. Priya, we are planning to have a baby next year. I stopped taking birth control pills last month. I came to know how to prepare our bodies before getting pregnant, what tests to do, and what vitamins to take," Kavya asked about her preparations.
I welcomed them with great joy and explained: "Kavya, it is very much appreciated that you came to get this kind of medical advice before getting pregnant. In medical terms, this is called Preconception Care / Prepregnancy Planning . Some women may take 3 to 6 months to ovulate normally again after stopping birth control pills. Also, you should start taking folic acid tablets daily at least a month before getting pregnant. This can prevent serious neural tube defects (NTDs) in the baby's brain and spinal cord (e.g. spina bifida) . Today, let's talk about how to prepare your body for a healthy birth."
🚨 Red Flags that require immediate medical attention
If you experience the following symptoms while planning to become pregnant or in the early stages of pregnancy, you should see an obstetrician and gynecologist immediately:
- While your period is late, you may experience sharp pain on one side of your lower abdomen and vaginal bleeding (this may be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy, a pregnancy outside the uterus).
- Blisters or joint pain with high fever during the first few weeks of pregnancy (may be signs of rubella or another serious viral infection).
- Having a history of 3 or more consecutive miscarriages.
- Trying to get pregnant while having uncontrolled chronic diseases such as diabetes, epilepsy, heart disease, or kidney disease.
Essential nutrition plan before pregnancy
For a healthy fetus to develop, the nutritional level of the mother's body must be optimal:
- Folic Acid Use: Mothers with diabetes, epilepsy, or a history of neurological disorders in a previous child should also take 5mg tablets daily starting one month before conception, as advised by a doctor. Other normal mothers should take 0.5mg (or 400mcg) daily starting 4 weeks before conception and continuing through the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Eat fish at least twice a week to get this healthy oil, which is essential for your baby's brain and eye development.
- Iodine:Always eat iodized salt, as iodine is essential for your baby's brain development and thyroid function.
- Vitamin D and Calcium: Get moderate sun exposure daily to get the vitamin D your baby needs for bone development.
Comparing nutritional needs in preparation for pregnancy
| Nutrients | Daily dose (when planning) | The reason it matters | Natural foods that contain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Folic acid | 0.5 mg - 5 mg (on medical advice) | To prevent neural tube defects. | Spinach, green leafy vegetables, lentils, beans. |
| Iron | Daily supplements or healthy foods | To prevent anemia (blood deficiency) during pregnancy. | Red meat, peas, spinach, spinach. |
| Calcium | 1000 mg | To protect the mother's bones and the baby's bone development. | Milk, yogurt, cheese, sprats. |
| Omega-3 | Through food or supplements | To help the baby's brain and eye membranes develop. | Oily fish like sardines, mackerel, and walnuts. |
Serious infections and vaccination
Vaccinations should be taken before pregnancy to protect against several infections that can be fatal to the fetus if contracted during pregnancy:
1. Rubella (Rubella / German Measles): If you contract rubella during pregnancy, there is a 30-50% risk of your baby being born blind, deaf, or with heart defects. You should get the rubella vaccine before getting pregnant, and pregnancy should be delayed until 3 months after getting the vaccine.
2. Chickenpox (Chickenpox / Varicella): If you are not immune to this before pregnancy, you should get vaccinated.
3. Avoiding Listeria and Toxoplasmosis:
- Avoid eating uncooked raw meat, raw fish, unpasteurized milk, and meat paste.
- Pregnant mothers and those planning to become pregnant should avoid cleaning up cat feces at home (risk of Toxoplasmosis).
- Wash and clean vegetables and herbs thoroughly before eating.
Do's & Don'ts
| ✔️ Things to do (Do) | ❌ Don'ts |
|---|---|
| Both partners should stop smoking completely at least 3 months before getting pregnant. | Do not use any over-the-counter drugs without a doctor's prescription. |
| Check your and your partner's blood type and Rhesus (Rh) factor (especially if the mother is Rh Negative). | Completely avoid drinking alcohol and using illegal drugs (can cause fetal malformations). |
| Maintain a healthy body weight by engaging in gentle exercises such as walking and swimming daily. | Avoid drinking more than 2 cups of coffee a day (excessive caffeine consumption reduces fertility). |
❓ Some other questions you may have (FAQ)
Is it possible to get pregnant immediately after stopping birth control pills? ▼
This varies from woman to woman. Some women get pregnant the first month after stopping the pill, while others may take 3 to 6 months for their hormone levels to return to normal and for them to ovulate regularly.
How does Rh Rhesus Factor (Rh factor in blood) affect pregnancy? ▼
If the mother's blood type is Rh Negative (-) and the father's blood type is Rh Positive (+), and the fetus' blood type is Rh Positive, the mother's body may produce antibodies against the fetus. This is not a problem in the first pregnancy, but in the second pregnancy, it is essential to identify the blood type and get vaccinated before pregnancy, as it can cause the baby's blood cells to be destroyed.
When should you be tested for genetic disorders? ▼
If there are close relatives with genetic disorders such as Thalassemia, Haemophilia, or Down syndrome in the family, genetic counseling and genetic testing before pregnancy can identify the risk of the child inheriting those diseases.
How soon should you seek medical help when trying to get pregnant? ▼
Generally, a healthy couple under the age of 35 should seek medical help if they have had unprotected sex 3-4 times a week for a year and have not become pregnant. However, if the mother is over 35 or has irregular menstrual cycles, they should seek medical help after 6 months.
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