Women who are hoping to get pregnant, or even slightly considering it, can take proactive steps to ensure their pregnancy is healthy and safe for both them and their growing baby.
Laura Redenius, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) at Riverside's Primary Care Associates Bourbonnais, offers advice surrounding preconception health so women are fully prepared when they conceive.
Factors Contributing to a Healthy Pregnancy
Redenius notes a number of factors that play into a healthy pregnancy. For example, being up to date on vaccinations, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and abstaining from smoking, alcohol, and illicit drugs. If women live with any chronic diseases, or have in the past, it’s essential to make sure those conditions are under control.
It’s also important to visit with either one’s primary care provider or OB/GYN, as they may order certain tests. “Some screenings your provider may order would be for elevated blood pressure, any sexually transmitted infections, cervical concerns, immunity, diabetes. If any of these are out of normal range, it can increase the risk for a miscarriage and further complications during the pregnancy,” states Redenius.
One’s provider can advise on prenatal vitamins as well as nutritional do’s and don’ts. Foods to avoid include unpasteurized cheese, raw meat, raw eggs, raw shellfish, and any fish with mercury (shark, mackerel, tilefish). Women only need about 300 extra calories per day during the first trimester, which is not “eating for two.”
Managing Stress Before and After Conception
Stress can be a disruptive factor in the preconception period. Among women who are trying to conceive but are unsuccessful, stress often builds upon itself. Once a woman becomes pregnant, it doesn’t mean the stress ceases, either. Redenius encourages women to employ key stress-reducing strategies.
“Make sure you have someone you can talk to during your pregnancy. If you've had stress previously, use relieving factors like going for a walk, meditation, whatever works for you. Your mood can change so easily in one minute from another when you're pregnant, and you need to remind yourself that's okay. You are growing a human inside of you. You're allowed to have these ups and downs.”
If talking with a personal friend, partner, or family member isn’t enough, one’s provider can recommend counselors or therapists to help ease the angst.
Why Support Is So Crucial
While only one person is going to be carrying the baby, a woman’s partner or other support person also plays a role in a healthy pregnancy. Redenius urges these individuals bring their own questions to the table in both the preconception timeline and during the pregnancy.
“They can learn things you may need to work on in order to live a healthier lifestyle, and they can be a part of these changes,” she shares. “Let's say your partner is the one who always makes dinner. Maybe you need to be on a low sodium diet. Well, now they understand why versus ‘I don't want to eat a low sodium diet.’”
Support people can also participate in classes during the pregnancy. Riverside Birthing Center offers several classes that parents-to-be can take together. For instance, Best Beginnings Preparing for Childbirth, Basic Baby Care, Prenatal Breastfeeding, and Real Parent Talk.
“All these classes will help ease any anxiety regarding pregnancy and labor,” adds Redenius. “They also promote community support because you never know who you're going to make friends with and maybe eventually you'll go on a play date with them.”
If you are planning to get pregnant, a preconception appointment with your Riverside primary care provider or OB/GYN is a great place to start.