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Baby and Me
Baby and Me
Engage~Empathise~Educate~Empower
A Support Service for Parents to be
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Preparing for Pregnancy
| Posted on July 27, 2014 at 2:36 AM |
comments (55)
|
Some pregnancies
are unplanned and people react and start to worry that maybe they are
living a lifestyle which is not quite suitable for pregnancy like drinking
alchohol or maybe smoking or eating the wrong diet or that they may cause harm
to their baby without intention. If
we approached planning a pregnancy as so particular as buying a new car or
house then we would invest alot of time, energy and research in the preparation.
The ideal would be the longer the preparation the better but at least a minimum
of three months preparation would be advisable. It should be a holistic
approach for those taking part in this planning, ensuring the optimal outcome
for a successful pregnancy. This would target not just the physical aspects but
the psychological and emotional side of having a baby. The
physical preparation for parents to be would be a health wellbeing check up
with your GP looking at general health, weight, blood pressure, cervical smear
tests, rubella status, any underlying health issues that may affect fertility,
routine blood tests to check iron levels, thyroid levels, liver function tests
for example or if any predisposing medical conditions a referral to a specialist now you are considering pregnancy. Taking
Folic Acid at least 12 weeks before
conception and up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, to decrease the risk of neural tube
defects such as spina bifida. This can be taken by tablet or through eating
plenty of dark green vegetables such as
broccoli or spinach. Eating a good balanced diet, good quality fats, proteins,
including eggs and vegetables doing an audit of your diet to ensure you nourish
yourself ready to nourish a growing fetus. An audit of your alchohol intake, if not being totally
abstinent then a decrease would be advisable, or drinking iron enriched
alchohol such as Stout intead, a change in your approach to lifestyle where
drink is used socially. A decrease in caffeine such as in coffee, tea or soft drinks
or avoiding drinking caffeine before bedtime. A change in approach or attitude to smoking to
give up ideally or if unable to decrease
amount of cigarettes smoked, to seek support
and professional advice in giving up smoking. If habitual
or social drugs are taken, seek professional help and support, from GP
or support groups. Review
of exercise regime from reducing extreme
high intensity sports/gym work to starting a gentle and enjoyable exercise
regime such as swimming or walking. Check in with your body. Think
and write down your thoughts and feelings about becoming pregnant, being
pregnant, the birth and becoming a parent, all the aspects and what you feel
you may need to do to deal with any issues, fears or anxieties and discuss them
with your partner or if not with a friend, family member or professional if
required. Get a good supportive network of people around you, join groups that
you feel are beneficial to you at this time. Think and visualise yourself being pregnant,
holding your baby and find ways to relax and to be calm, find ways that feel right for you,
your partner and your baby. Think
about yourself and nourish yourself not just physically but emotionally as well
so you are able to nourish your baby! |