Search Results for: blog what to expect in preconception counseling

What To Expect…. in a Movie?

If you’re reading the pregnancy blog here on Families, I’ll bet you that you’ve also read the well known book, “What To Expect When You’re Expecting.” It’s a staple on every pregnant woman’s reading list. After all, the book sums up just about every symptom and milestone of pregnancy, and it comes with its own online community. I used to keep it at my bedside during my pregnancy so I could stay up late reading about what was supposed to happen to me next. I was always surprised by how accurate the book was! It just goes to show you … Continue reading →

The Pregnancy Blog Week in Review for September 3-9

This past week flew by with the holiday. If the past week has been as busy for you as it was for me, you may not have had the chance to visit the pregnancy blog. Catch up on your reading with this week in review. If you haven’t been able to conceive and can’t understand why, consider having your thyroid checked. Hypothyroidism can interfere with your ovulation cycle and prevent conception. Learn more about this condition and symptoms in Hypothyroidism and Trying to Conceive. Mood swings are a difficult part of pregnancy, both for the expectant mother and her partner. … Continue reading →

What to Expect in Preconception Counseling

It is beneficial for all women to schedule a visit with the doctor before trying to conceive. This visit will help you make positive lifestyle changes that will benefit you and help ensure a healthy baby. If you have a chronic illness or are at increased risk for a specific birth defect, preconception counseling is a must before you start trying to have a baby. Certain factors related to the health of the mother and the family history of both parents can increase the likelihood of certain birth defects. Some of these are heredity such as Tay Sachs Disease or … Continue reading →

Preparing Your Health History

One of the major components of your first prenatal check up is the health history interview. It should feel somewhat familiar, since many doctors do this on your first visit, but the prenatal version is a little more detailed. To prepare, it may help to look over some of these questions beforehand in case you need to make a few phone calls to your mom or relatives. What is your history with pregnancy? Have you been pregnant before? Have you ever had a miscarriage? Have you ever had an abortion? If you have had a baby before, how did you … Continue reading →

Concerns about Epilepsy Drugs

Epilepsy can be serious and pose risks to the mother and fetus during pregnancy. Conventional wisdom holds that high quality prenatal care as well as medical care for epilepsy is the best way to ensure a healthy baby. In fact, this method works well, since the vast majority of women with epilepsy do have healthy babies. Another piece of conventional medical wisdom is that women with epilepsy should continue to take their medications throughout the pregnancy. While a small number of women with mild seizures may be able to wean off their medications, this is not typical. There are risks … Continue reading →

Epilepsy in Pregnancy

In past generations, women with epilepsy were often warned against having babies. This is no longer the case. The way in which women react to pregnancy varies widely and this is difficult to predict prior to pregnancy. A small number will have fewer seizures during pregnancy. Others will have more. For the rest, the condition remains about the same. While the vast majority of pregnant women with epilepsy will go on to have perfectly healthy babies, there are some risks. The best way to ensure the best possible scenario for your baby is to get comprehensive medical care before and … Continue reading →

The Importance of Diet Before Pregnancy

You probably already know that good nutrition is vital to your growing baby. The foods you eat nourish your baby and provide nutrients needed for organ and tissue growth. Did you know that nutrition before pregnancy is critical to your baby’s health? There have been studies to show the diet of the mother impacts the baby as early as at the time of fertilization and in the early weeks of pregnancy. These studies resulted in the current guidelines which suggest women get extra folic acid and take vitamin supplements if they are trying to conceive. Newer studies have shown the … Continue reading →

Pregnancy After 40

There are definitely benefits to postponing motherhood. You will be more financially secure than 20 year old parents. There is research to suggest the child will do well also. Studies have shown that children of older parents tend to do well in school and are more likely to go on to graduate college. There are risks to pregnancy after 40. At this age, you are in the category that obstetricians call “advanced maternal age.” Not flattering in the least, but there are risks associated with pregnancy after age 40 that your doctor will be concerned with. One of the most … Continue reading →

High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy

High blood pressure prior to pregnancy can put the pregnant mother at risk for complications. This doesn’t mean that complications are certain, but that there is a higher likelihood of complications during pregnancy. If you have high blood pressure, it’s best to have it treated and try to bring it down prior to getting pregnant. The amount of risk is relative to the degree of high blood pressure, which can range from slightly high to severe. The biggest risk is to the mother because very high blood pressure may damage the kidneys. In the baby, there is a risk of … Continue reading →