- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- preconception articles
- preconception q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Upping the Odds
Doing Your Best to Conceive
By Michele St. Martin
Planning to conceive a baby means different things to different women. *Marlene Vickers quit smoking cold turkey. Gail Myers gave up alcohol and caffeine. Angela Peterson started drinking more water and avoided being near cigarette smoke. They all saw their OB/GYNs or family doctors and began taking prenatal vitamins – essential steps in preparing to conceive.
"Preconception counseling is an essential element in attaining the goal of a healthy pregnancy and birth," says OB/GYN Dr. David Barrere. "Unfortunately, less than five percent of women receive any (preconception-related) health care prior to conception."
Dr. Barrere's primary goal in meeting with a patient for preconception counseling is simple: He wants to identify factors in a woman's (or her partner's) medical or family history that could lead to problems with the pregnancy or baby. Preparation is key to good maternal and fetal health.
During her first pregnancy, *Carrie Hooper had several health conditions that needed to be controlled in order for her pregnancy to be a safe and uneventful one, culminating in a healthy baby. She suffered from both diabetes and high blood pressure, but with excellent medical care, she and the baby were just fine.
Hooper's last postpartum visit to her doctor also served as a preconception visit for planning her next pregnancy. "I asked how long I should wait until trying again, when I should stop breastfeeding to facilitate pregnancy, if my present medications would be OK for the next pregnancy and for a continuing prescription for my prenatal vitamins," she says.
Hooper's preparation made a difference in her first pregnancy and is likely to make a difference the second time around, too.
Want to see more?
Comments
There are no comments for this article yet.Be the first to 
|
Post As:
|
||
| Enter your comment below: | ||
| Title | ||
| Comment Text | ||
| CAPTCHA | ||
| Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection. | ||
