Ideal time to do pre-pregnancy health consultation

The article was professionally consulted with Associate Professor, Doctor, Doctor Nguyen Viet Nhan - Genetic Consultant - Department of Fetal Medicine - Vinmec Times City International Hospital.

Pre-pregnancy counseling and care helps couples increase their chances of having a healthy baby. Whether giving birth for the first time or for the second time, women need to get health advice before planning to become pregnant. Here are important steps to help expectant mothers get ready for a healthy pregnancy.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), if women do not receive health care advice before becoming pregnant, it can lead to the following consequences:
4 in 10 women in the world become pregnant without The plan, therefore, leads to maternal undernutrition and iron deficiency anemia that increase the risk of maternal mortality, accounting for at least 20% of maternal mortality worldwide. In 2010, 58,000 infants died from neonatal tetanus. Removal of the ovaries and uterus increases the risk of neonatal mortality (including stillbirth) by 15% to 55%. Perinatal mortality accounts for 50%, of which the rate of mothers under 20 years of age with unintended pregnancies is higher than that of mothers aged 20 to 29 years. Without preconception counseling, up to 35% of pregnant women with gonococcal infection go undetected and untreated, leading to premature birth, low birth weight and 10% of perinatal deaths. In the absence of intervention, the rate of HIV transmission from mother to child ranges from 15 to 45%. Domestic violence affects physical and mental health, as well as increases the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight. Women with epilepsy have an increased risk of having a baby with birth defects. Many studies show that quitting smoking before or during pregnancy can prevent 5-7% of premature deaths and 23-24% of cases of sudden infant death syndrome. syndrome).

When mothers receive pre-pregnancy health care counseling, there is a very positive impact on the health of not only the mother, but also the child benefits when the mother adheres to the instructions from the medical staff. , which includes:
Reduce mortality in both mother and child Prevent unwanted pregnancy Prevent complications during pregnancy and childbirth Prevent stillbirth, preterm birth and low birth weight Prevent birth defects birth defects Prevent neonatal infections Prevent malnutrition and stunting Prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV/STIs Reduce the risk of certain cancers in children Reduce the risk of type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease later.

To prepare before pregnancy and welcome new family members, especially couples having their first child, life will change a lot. Therefore, the couple needs to make a very specific plan to welcome the baby. For example, when couples don't want to have children, they use effective birth control methods to achieve their goals. Now with the desire to get pregnant, it is really important for couples to get health counseling before getting pregnant to step by step achieve the goal of having a healthy pregnancy and birth.

Before becoming pregnant, women should actively seek advice from medical experts such as obstetricians for complete and accurate advice to have a healthy pregnancy. Your doctor will ask about your medical history and current medical conditions that may affect pregnancy. In addition, the doctor will exploit information about the problems of the previous pregnancy, if any, the drugs you are using and which vaccines have been given... Some of the following suggestions will provide information for women. Women who want to have children need to prepare before consulting a doctor:
4.1. Health condition If you have any health problems, make sure your doctor knows your condition and that it is under control and treatment. Some common illnesses include: sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), diabetes, thyroid disease, Phenylketonuria (PKU), epilepsy, high blood pressure, arthritis, eating disorders, and other diseases. Chronic diseases.
4.2. Lifestyle and behavior Patients should talk to a doctor or other health professional if they smoke, drink alcohol or use drugs, live in a stressful or abusive environment, work with or live around around toxic substances. From the information provided by the patient, healthcare professionals can advise, treat and implement the best support measures for the patient to solve the problem.
4.3. Medications Taking certain medications during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects, including some prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements. If a couple is planning a pregnancy, it is advisable to discuss the use of any medications with their doctor before becoming pregnant and to ensure that the patient is taking only necessary medications that will not affect the health of the family. fetal development.
4.4. Vaccinations Some vaccines are recommended before pregnancy, during pregnancy, or soon after birth. Getting the right prenatal vaccinations at the right time can help keep you healthy and keep your baby from getting very sick or having health problems later in life.

Folic acid is a B vitamin. If a woman has enough folic acid in her body at least 1 month before and during pregnancy, it can help prevent birth defects in the brain and spine of the baby.

Smoking, alcohol, and drug use can cause many problems during pregnancy for women and their babies, such as premature birth, birth defects, and infant death.

Avoid hazardous substances and environmental contaminants such as harmful materials at work or at home, such as synthetic chemicals, metals, fertilizers, insect sprays, and cat or animal droppings. rodent. These substances can damage the reproductive systems of both men and women leading to more difficulty getting pregnant. Exposure to even small amounts during pregnancy, infancy, childhood, or puberty can all lead to serious health problems, so it's important to learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones from hazardous substances at home. work and at home.

People who are overweight or obese are at increased risk of many serious diseases, including pregnancy complications, heart disease, type II diabetes, and certain cancers (such as endometrial, breast, and colon). . Conversely, people who are underweight are also at risk for serious health problems. The key to reaching and maintaining a healthy weight is in terms of short-term dietary changes, including healthy eating and regular physical activity. If you're underweight, overweight or obese, talk to your doctor about ways to reach and maintain a healthy weight before you get pregnant.

Violence can lead to injury and death in women at any stage of life, including during pregnancy. The number of women who die from violence is only a fraction of the prevalence of domestic violence. Many people survive the violence and are left with lifelong physical and emotional scars. Therefore, if a woman experiences violence, she should speak up to receive help from relatives, friends and society.

Collecting the health history of family members and relatives can be very important for the health of your children later in life. Women may not realize that an older sister's heart defect or a cousin's sickle cell disease can affect her own baby, so sharing family medical history information with your doctor is extremely important. important period for a healthy pregnancy in the future.
In order to help couples plan pregnancy and ensure a safe pregnancy and healthy baby, Vinmec International General Hospital has implemented a Pre-pregnancy Care and Counseling Program with The team of experts directly examines and advises, offers pregnancy preparation plans suitable for each specific case, thereby achieving the set expectations.