Learn about the 9 scientific measures for preparing for pregnancy and give your baby a head start!

Author: Li He, deputy chief physician, Shanghai Ji'ai Genetics and Infertility Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University

Reviewer: Fu Jing, Chief Physician, Shanghai Ji'ai Genetics and Infertility Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University

The incidence of birth defects in my country is 4% to 6%, and scientific pregnancy preparation is an important measure to reduce birth defects. How to win at the starting line and give birth to a healthy baby, pre-pregnancy care is very important. Pre-pregnancy care refers to the assessment and improvement of the health status of couples planning pregnancy in the three months before pregnancy, reducing or eliminating the risk factors that lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as birth defects, which is of great significance to "eugenics and good parenting". Here I will pass this pregnancy preparation secret to friends who are preparing for pregnancy~

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1. Pre-pregnancy check-up

Pre-pregnancy check-up is an important part of pregnancy preparation. Through pre-pregnancy check-up, doctors can clarify the health status and fertility of the couple preparing for pregnancy, assess whether the physical condition of the woman preparing for pregnancy is suitable for pregnancy, assess the risk of genetic diseases, and achieve eugenics and good parenting.

Routine pre-pregnancy check-ups include gynecological ultrasound, cervical cytology, TORCH screening, thyroid function tests, etc. TORCH screening includes Toxoplasma gondii (TOX), Rubella virus (RV), Herpes simplex virus (HSV), Cytomegalovirus (HSV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV). In addition to general physical examinations, doctors will assess high-risk factors before pregnancy, such as chronic disease history, family history of genetic diseases, adverse pregnancy and childbirth history, delivery history, overweight, etc. Doctors will also recommend other tests based on the patient's specific situation.

The medications that women who are planning to have children are currently taking are also a key point that doctors ask about during pre-pregnancy checkups, because taking certain medications during pregnancy preparation may cause serious congenital defects. If you must take certain medications due to medical conditions, you should communicate with your doctor about the type and dosage of medication and try to choose the best medication plan to help you get pregnant.

With the continuous development of science and technology, under the joint care of specialists and family members, every couple preparing for pregnancy will have their own personalized pregnancy preparation plan to help them have a successful pregnancy.

2. Stay away from tobacco and alcohol

Smoking and drinking may have adverse effects on fertility and may bring many safety risks to mothers and fetuses. For pregnant mothers and fetuses, tobacco can be described as an "invisible killer." Nicotine, carbon monoxide, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in tobacco may cross the placenta and enter the fetal circulation to further interfere with the baby's development and cause permanent changes in metabolism. Whether it is smoking during pregnancy or exposure to secondhand smoke, there is a significant correlation with adverse pregnancy outcomes, increasing the risk of premature birth and low birth weight, and affecting the development of the fetal neural structure. Drinking a lot of alcohol also has adverse effects on the fetus, which may affect the development of the fetus's central nervous system and increase the occurrence of adverse pregnancies. It is recommended that couples quit smoking and drinking during the pregnancy preparation period.

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3. Supplement folic acid

It is recommended to supplement 0.4 mg of synthetic folic acid or multivitamins containing 0.8 mg of folic acid daily starting 3 months before pregnancy until 12 weeks of pregnancy. For women at high risk of giving birth to a child with neural tube defects, such as taking anticonvulsant drugs, pre-pregnancy diabetes, a birth history or family history of neural tube defects, or a body mass index (BMI) > 30 kg/m2, it is recommended to supplement 4 mg of folic acid daily starting 3 months before pregnancy until 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Folic acid supplementation during pregnancy preparation and early pregnancy can reduce the incidence of neural tube defects in babies by 50% to 70%. Taking folic acid can also help prevent some other congenital defects in babies.

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4. Reduce caffeine intake

According to a survey, more than 80% of adults around the world have the habit of drinking coffee or similar beverages every day. For female friends who are preparing to have a baby, the most concerned issue is: Is drinking coffee really not good for pregnancy? Is it really not allowed to drink coffee during pregnancy? At present, the medical community has no clear answer to the question of "how much caffeine is safe to consume during pregnancy", but experts agree that pregnant women and women preparing for pregnancy should avoid excessive caffeine intake, otherwise there may be a risk of miscarriage. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that women preparing for pregnancy should not consume more than 200-300 mg of caffeine per day. 200 mg of caffeine is about the amount of a cup of coffee.

5. Maintain a healthy weight

When preparing for pregnancy, women should adjust their body weight through a balanced diet and moderate exercise to keep their BMI within the range of 18.5-23.9 kg/m². Being overweight or underweight is not conducive to conception, and overweight or obese mothers are more likely to develop pregnancy complications such as gestational hypertension and gestational diabetes during pregnancy. If the mother is underweight or overweight, it is recommended to discuss a weight management plan with a doctor before preparing for pregnancy.

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6. Pre-pregnancy oral examination

Many women who are preparing for pregnancy always wonder why oral examination is a routine item in pre-pregnancy check-ups? In fact, hormonal changes during pregnancy may make pregnant women's gums more susceptible to diseases. Higher progesterone and estrogen levels may cause bacterial plaque, swelling, redness, bleeding and other discomforts on the gums, increasing the susceptibility to oral diseases. Therefore, before preparing for pregnancy, comprehensive and systematic examination and treatment of oral diseases can effectively control and reduce the occurrence of oral diseases during pregnancy and avoid unnecessary pain and troubles.

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7. Avoid contact with toxic and harmful substances

Under normal circumstances, the general working environment will not affect pregnancy preparation. However, you need to pay attention to whether there is serious environmental pollution in your usual workplace or living environment, or whether you are frequently exposed to some harmful chemicals, toxic substances or environmental pollutants, which may cause reproductive dysfunction. Commonly referred to harmful substances include lead, benzene, xylene, gasoline, vinyl chloride, X-rays and other radioactive substances, pesticides, herbicides, anesthetics, etc.

8. Improve vaccination

Getting the right vaccine at the right time can help keep both mother and baby healthy. Women planning to get pregnant are advised to complete vaccinations before pregnancy and to use contraception for 4 weeks after receiving live attenuated vaccines. Inactivated vaccines and toxoid vaccines are generally considered safe during pregnancy. If you are found to be pregnant after vaccination, it is not recommended to terminate the pregnancy for this reason alone.

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9. Mental Health

The baby's health is closely related to the mother's mental health before and after pregnancy. A peaceful mind and a healthy psychology are very helpful for the future growth of the baby. Therefore, after deciding to have a child, the couple should actively adjust their emotions, face the future with a positive and optimistic attitude, and let hope fill every day of their lives.

Preparing for pregnancy is a process that makes people feel ups and downs. Failure to prepare for pregnancy may cause the couple to question themselves, feel anxious and stressed, and in serious cases, it may affect the relationship between the couple. Theoretically, the probability of natural pregnancy is 10% to 20% each month, so don't be anxious during the period of preparing for pregnancy, take your time! Preparing for pregnancy itself is a beautiful thing, and you must not treat it as a task or burden.

During the pregnancy preparation period, pay attention to adjusting your mentality, relax your mood, and try to keep a normal mind. If you feel anxious or disappointed, take part in physical exercise and outdoor activities to relax your body and mind. When you are physically and mentally relaxed, the success rate of pregnancy will be higher!

I wish all my friends who are planning to have a baby to prepare scientifically and give birth to a healthy baby.