What You Need To Know During Preconception Counseling With Your Gynaecologist?

Preconception counseling is a critical step for anyone planning to have a baby. This proactive approach helps the couple achieve the best possible health and be well-prepared for the journey ahead. Bringing a new life into the world is a profound and life-changing experience. Preconception counseling with your gynecologist allows you to assess your physical, emotional, and medical readiness when it comes to conceiving and embracing parenthood.

Your gynecologist helps identify and address any factors that could affect your ability to conceive or the health of your future baby, ensuring a smooth and safe pregnancy journey. So, don’t worry anymore — we’re here to help you understand what exactly happens during preconception counseling. In a conversation with Dr. Sucheta Parte, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist at Motherhood Hospitals in Lullanagar, Pune, she discusses what you need to know during preconception counseling with your gynecologist.

1. Everything You Need to Know About Preconception Planning
2. The Expert Will Review Your Medical History
3. Your gynecologist will review your personal and family medical history to identify any hereditary conditions or chronic illnesses that could negatively impact pregnancy. If needed, further testing may be recommended for couples.

Essential Screening And Vaccinations

Tests for STIs will be recommended. Ensuring you’re up-to-date on essential vaccines, such as measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), and chickenpox, will be key when planning for pregnancy.

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Lifestyle Management

Guidance on a balanced diet and necessary prenatal supplements, like folic acid, will be given to the couple. You will also be encouraged to exercise daily under the guidance of a fitness trainer. The couple should stick to healthy eating practices, avoid junk, spicy, oily, canned, and processed foods, and quit smoking and alcohol, which can harm fertility.

Tracking Menstrual Cycles

Understanding and tracking your menstrual cycle is crucial. Your gynecologist will guide you in identifying your ovulation period to determine the optimal time for conception.

Understanding Fertile Periods

During preconception counseling, your gynecologist will provide personalized insights into your fertile window, helping you plan conception with greater accuracy and confidence.

Essential Screening And Blood Tests

Couples will undergo important screenings, including blood group compatibility and tests for infections or hereditary conditions. Vaccinations for diseases like measles, mumps, and rubella will also be updated to ensure a safe pregnancy journey.

Discussing ARTs

If the couple has difficulty conceiving, they should discuss it with the expert, who will advise ARTs such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), or cryopreservation of embryos or gametes.

Managing Comorbidities

If you have conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or thyroid issues, preconception counseling will help you control these conditions with diet, medication, and exercise.

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In conclusion, Dr. Sucheta Parte, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist at Motherhood Hospitals, emphasized the importance of staying healthy when trying to conceive. Women are advised to focus on maintaining an optimum weight, as being overweight can pose challenges while conceiving. Avoid exposure to harmful chemicals, smoking, and alcohol. Get a good night’s sleep, rest adequately, stay stress-free by practicing yoga and meditation, and engage in self-care and journaling to calm your mind. Additionally, do light exercises, eat a nourishing diet, take supplements as per the doctor’s suggestions, and go for regular check-ups and follow-ups. Following these tips will help ensure a smooth conception and a healthy pregnancy.