Pre-Pregnancy Counseling

• Pre-pregnancy counseling is a consulting session conducted before you conceive.

• It helps in checking for possible risk factors during pregnancy and also gives a way to resolve any medical issues you may have before you become pregnant.

• Pre-pregnancy counseling and care will help you to become physically healthy and emotionally strong before you enter into the phase of pregnancy.

What happens during a pre-pregnancy counseling session?

• You can discuss and clarify with us, all the things that concern you before you get pregnant, like starting prenatal vitamins, diet or any hereditary health issues. Many important points discussed include:

• Reproductive history: menstrual history, use of contraceptives, any previous sexually transmitted diseases.

• Medical and surgical history: Past health problems ,any past surgeries or hospitalizations should also be brought to the doctor’s notice.

• Current medications: any prescription, over-the- counter medications or herbal supplements that you may be currently taking.

• Weight: It is always better to have an ideal weight before you conceive. Gaining weight if you are underweight will reduce the risk of having a low birth-weight baby, and reducing weight if you are overweight will prevent the risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy.

• Workplace and home environment: potential hazards to conception or maintaining a pregnancy, such as exposure to lead or certain toxic solvents, radiation and cat feaces.

• Lifestyle: alcohol consumption, smoking and use of recreational drugs

• Exercise: Inform us about the type of exercises you perform or if you don’t exercise. Based on this, you may be advised to continue normal exercises during pregnancy until your doctor suggests otherwise.

• Diet: Having good dietary habits is beneficial during pregnancy. You will be advised to consume food rich in folic acid, calcium, fibre and other nutrients, and reduce the intake of caffeine, which is present in coffee, chocolates, soft drinks and medications, before getting pregnant.

• Family health history: Inform us about the presence of hereditary medical conditions and multiple births in the family.

• Prenatal vitamins: You should start taking folic acid supplements before you conceive, as folic acid reduces the chances of neural tube defects in your baby.

• Advice for older women: Women older than 35 years of age will be advised on the risks of infertility, abnormalities in the child and pregnancy complications, such as miscarriage and labour problems.

• We may also recommend:

1. Physical exam of your abdomen, heart, breasts, thyroid and lungs

2. Pap smear and pelvic examination

3. Lab tests to screen for hepatitis, HIV, rubella, syphilis and other conditions

4. Chart menstrual cycles to monitor ovulation and determine the most favorable time to get pregnant

5. Advise appropriate vaccinations against rubella .

6. Conduct genetic counseling for older mothers or those with a risk of hereditary diseases to help you understand the chances of birth defects or intellectual disability in the child.