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Preconception Top 10
Tips for a Healthy Conception
By Kelly Burgess
Opinion is split on this one. While Dr. Plosker says it's a good idea to get guidelines for things such as folic acid doses, Dr. Laura Goetzl, assistant professor in the department of obstetrics/gynecology at the Medical University of South Carolina, says for a healthy, well-informed woman looking at a normal pregnancy, it's probably not necessary – especially if it's not covered by insurance. In general, this knowledgeable woman is already doing everything she should (in other words, following our top 10 tips). However, Dr. Goetzl says, there are some women who should have this visit, such as those with a history of pregnancy complications, a family history of genetic disease, irregular periods or other warning signs of possible fertility issues, or anyone who is severely overweight or underweight.
The risks of drinking alcohol while pregnant are well-documented. However, since the risks of smoking while pregnant are not as obviously manifested in the way fetal alcohol syndrome is, sometimes women don't realize how dangerous it can be. Dr. James Mayer, associate professor and USF IVF physician at the University of South Florida College of Medicine, says smoking in early pregnancy raises the chance of miscarriage. That means you shouldn't wait until you actually find out you're pregnant to quit, as you may already be several weeks along by then and have put yourself at risk of an early miscarriage. Smoking during the entire pregnancy results in an increased risk of preterm labor. The reason why: the toxins in cigarettes go right across the placenta into the baby's blood stream and can cause the placenta to calcify. In addition, Dr. Goetzl says, the father should quit smoking as well, as secondhand smoke is also very harmful.
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