and don’t have problems that can have an impact on
pregnancy. Still, a preconceptional visit is very useful because
it allows you to make a game plan and find out more about
how to optimize your chances of having a healthy and
uncomplicated pregnancy. You can discover how to
reach your ideal body weight and how to start on a
good exercise program, and you can begin to take
prenatal vitamins with folic acid.
Some women, however, do have medical disorders that can
affect the pregnancy.
Expect your practitioner to ask whether you have any one of a list
of conditions. For example, if you have diabetes, optimizing your blood
sugar levels before you get pregnant and watching those levels during your
pregnancy are important. If you’re prone to high blood pressure (hypertension),
your doctor will want to control it before you get pregnant, because
controlling hypertension can be time-consuming and can involve changing
medications more than once. If you have other problems — epilepsy, for
example — checking your medications and controlling your condition are
important. For a condition like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), your
practitioner may encourage you to try to become pregnant at a time when
you’re having very few symptoms.
You can expect questions about whether you smoke, indulge in more than
a drink or two a day, or use any recreational/illicit drugs. Your practitioner
isn’t interrogating you and is unlikely to chastise you, so you can feel comfortable
answering honestly. These habits can be harmful to a pregnancy,
and dropping them before you get pregnant is best. Your practitioner can
advise you on ways to do so or refer you to help or support groups.
You also need to discuss any prescription or over-the-counter drugs you take
regularly and your diet and exercise routines. Do you take vitamins? Do you
diet frequently? Are you a vegetarian? Do you work out regularly? Discuss all
these issues with your practitioner.
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