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Home › Articles › Preparing for Pregnancy › A Little Planning Goes
a Long Way

A Little Planning Goes
a Long Way

12 Things to Think About When Trying to Conceive

By Jacqueline Rupp

Pages:  1  2  3  4  5  6  

  • Thyroid disorders: Although women with low thyroid function often have difficulty becoming pregnant, those who do conceive and leave the disorder untreated might be putting the health of their baby in danger. There is a risk to the baby of delayed mental development, according to Dr. Bathgate. She suggests women have their thyroid function tested prior to pregnancy and periodically checked throughout pregnancy.
  • Diabetes: "A good example of a medical condition that is best addressed prior to pregnancy is diabetes," Dr. Bathgate says. "Women with uncontrolled diabetes have a 20 to 25 percent chance of major birth defects in their offspring, compared to approximately the same as the general population, around 3 percent, if their blood sugar is in the normal range around the time of conception and in early pregnancy."
  • Anemia: Before becoming pregnant, it's a good idea to have a blood test to determine if you are anemic. Dr. Bathgate says that this is a very common deficiency for menstruating women. However, it is also easily corrected with iron supplements, and treating this beforehand can reduce the chance of pregnancy complications like preterm labor.
  • High blood pressure: Women can reduce the risks of preterm labor, low birth weight and pre-eclampsia by having their blood pressure checked and under control when they become pregnant.

    • 2. Medications

    Those fine-print warnings on the back of over-the-counter drugs are just the eginning of the precautions that need to be taken prior to conception. Many medications take between three to six months to leave the system. It is imperative to consult your doctor prior to becoming pregnant about all

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