• 10 Pregnancy Do's
• 10 Pregnancy Don'ts
• Why is Preconception Care important?

A woman's lifestyle, health status, and history prior to conception influence her pregnancy outcome. By the time most women have her first prenatal visit, the baby's critical organs have already been formed.

Good preconception health care is about managing current health conditions and improving a woman's wellness before pregnancy. By taking action on health issues before pregnancy, future problems for the mother and baby can be prevented.

The 10 important things a woman can do to prepare for pregnancy:

1. Take 400 mcg of folic acid a day for at least 3 months before becoming pregnancy to reduce the risk of birth defects of the brain and spine. Since 50% pregnancy is not planned, all women who can become pregnant should be taking folic acid.
2. Stop smoking to reduce the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, preterm labor, SIDS and stillbirth.
3. Stop drinking alcohol to prevent Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and other complications.
4. If you currently have a medical condition, be sure these conditions are under control. Conditions include but are not limited to asthma, diabetes, hypertension, hypothyroidism, HIV, Hepatitis B, PKU, peridontal disease, obesity, eating disorder, or epilepsy.
5. Be sure that your vaccinations for Rubella, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Polio are up to date.
6. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist about any over the counter and prescription medicines you are taking.
7. Avoid exposures to toxic substances or potentially infectious materials at work or at home, such as chemicals, or cat and rodent feces.
8. Adopt a healthy lifestyle with good eating habit and regular exercise. Be good to your body and your body will be good to you and your baby.
9. Seek help if you are a victim of domestic violence or abuse which may start or intensify during pregnancy.
10. Plan your pregnancy.

Men can play an important role in promoting their partner's preconception health and planning for pregnancy.

5 important things men can do for preconception care:

1. Reduce the risk of exposing chemicals and toxins from the work place to their partner by changing out of dirty work clothes and by washing soiled clothes separately.
2. Get screened for sexually transmitted disease (STD) such as HIV, herpes, and syphilis.
3. Improve their own reproductive health by reduce stress and eating right.
4. Avoid excessive alcohol use which may be associated with physical and emotional abuse and decreased fertility.
5. Stop smoking to avoid harmful effects of second hand smoking on the pregnancy.

Resources:

• www.cdc.gov
• www.marchofdimes.com