Natural family planning

 

Family planning

 

Choosing to become pregnant and becoming a mother is a big decision that requires a lot of thought and planning. Talking to your healthcare provider before trying to conceive is a good idea! You can get professional advice on how to improve your whole life to give your new baby the best start in life. Prenatal visits with your provider are one of the most important things you can do, especially if you are over 30 years old. During this visit, you can discuss any healthy eating needs or health concerns, including any mental health concerns you may have before pregnancy.

Family planning

 

Make sure you talk to your provider about your diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol or drug use, and sexual history. Don't forget to let her know if you are being treated by other health care providers, including mental health providers. Review all your medications with your provider, including over-the-counter and over-the-counter medications, and ask if it is safe to continue taking them during pregnancy and during pregnancy.

 If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, an eating disorder, depression, or other chronic or long-term health conditions, talk to your healthcare provider about how your condition could affect your health and your pregnancy. 

Do not assume that because you are in good health you will have serious problems with pregnancy. There are things you and your healthcare provider can do to help you get pregnant and have a healthy baby.

 

Another important thing to discuss with your health care provider is your family health history. You can get genetic counseling before pregnancy and can be tested for certain genetic conditions, such as Tay-Sachs disease or blood disorders such as sickle-cell anemia or thalassemia. Your provider will also talk to you about whether you have all your goals, especially Rubella (German measles). If you do not have smallpox or Rubella, make sure you are vaccinated at least three months before pregnancy. You may also want to get tested for Hepatitis B, sexually transmitted infections (STDs) and toxoplasmosis as this can harm your baby, as well as yourself.

 Folic acid daily during the family planning 

Your healthcare provider will recommend that you get 400 micrograms or .4 mg of folic acid daily in your diet. Folic acid is a synthetic (man-made) form of folate, one of the B vitamins. Studies show that getting enough sex before and during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester, can significantly reduce the risk of certain birth defects. Because it is difficult to get the amount of folate you need every day on your own, your provider may give you a prenatal vitamin containing 400 micrograms of folic acid. You can also add rich foods to your diet, such as leafy green vegetables, kidney beans, orange juice and other citrus fruits, nuts, broccoli, asparagus, peas, lentils, and whole grain products. When folic acid is added to certain grain products, including flour, rice, pasta, flour, bread, and other cereals, these foods are considered to be “fortified” with folic acid.