Preparing For Pregnancy
If you are planning to start a family you must, of course, cease
contraception. If you are taking the pill you should change to a barrier method
for a period of at least three months. This is to allow for the normal hormone
levels and egg production cycle to re-establish itself.
If you smoke, both you and your partner should stop. A woman who smokes during
pregnancy stands a 30% greater risk of miscarrying or losing the baby at birth
due to a variety of complications.
You should also ensure that your alcohol consumption is kept to an absolute minimum
if you are unable to abstain totally.
Both partners should give attention to their diet with particular regard to choosing
fresh unrefined foods.
Ask your doctor to check if you are immune from rubella (German measles). If
not, he will arrange immunisation. In such a case you should continue with a
barrier method of birth control for a period of at least two months whilst the
vaccine takes effect.
Unless you've had one during recent months it is advisable to arrange for a smear
test to ensure you have a healthy cervix prior to becoming pregnant.
PROBLEMS IN CONCEIVING
One in ten couples experiences some degree of difficulty in conceiving. This
difficulty may equally be caused by a problem concerning either partner. The
causes of infertility are wide and varied but most can be helped with treatment.
Good pre-conceptual care will lessen the need for such treatment.
