Things to do before getting pregnant for the second time

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted with Specialist Doctor II Huynh Thi Hien - Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.
Preparing for the second pregnancy is a very important thing that a mother cannot ignore. Careful preparation helps mothers have good health to have a favorable and healthy pregnancy. Here is information about what husband and wife need to prepare before the second pregnancy.

1. Check and monitor your health regularly

For pregnant women preparing before the second pregnancy, good health is the first factor that needs to be mentioned. When you ensure good health and mental readiness to have a second baby, you will have a healthy pregnancy. Therefore, regular monitoring and health check-ups are extremely important.
Women should have regular health checkups after giving birth to the first baby until they plan to get pregnant for the second time.
To ensure health before the second pregnancy, women also need to pay attention to the menstrual cycle. Because some cases have irregular menstrual cycles after giving birth to the first child. Women should monitor, adjust and know the day of ovulation to determine the effective and accurate conception time.
Besides, it is also important to pay attention to the husband's habits that may affect his wife's ability to have a second pregnancy. Typically smoking, alcohol, beer constantly, obesity ... significantly reduce the quantity and quality of sperm, not beneficial for the second pregnancy.

2. Fully vaccinated before the second pregnancy

Many mothers subjectively think that if they have been vaccinated during the first pregnancy, they do not need to be vaccinated during the second pregnancy. This is completely wrong. The second pregnancy vaccination is different from the first pregnancy vaccination. So what vaccinations should the second pregnancy need and what is the vaccination schedule for the second pregnant woman?
If you are pregnant for the second time and have not had a tetanus booster shot within 5 years, pregnant women need to get one dose in the second 3 months of pregnancy. If a pregnant woman has been vaccinated with 3 doses of diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus since childhood, she should receive 1 more dose at the 4th or 5th month of pregnancy.

If the pregnant woman has been vaccinated with 3 - 4 tetanus shots before, the last injection is more than 1 year old, then get one more booster shot to ensure effective prevention. If the pregnant woman has had all 5 tetanus shots, there is no need to get an additional shot in the next pregnancy. Because after 5 shots, the protection is over 95%. But if the 5th dose has been given for more than 10 years, mothers should get 1 booster shot.

3. Supplementing with proper nutrition for the body

Pre-pregnancy nutrition is very important, a prerequisite for a healthy and nutritious pregnancy. Women should have a healthy diet to supplement the body with adequate nutrients.
Specifically, women need to add green vegetables, fruits, provide adequate protein, beneficial fats ... to ensure health before the second pregnancy. Experts say that protein should be replaced from meat. with plant-based proteins such as soybeans and peas to increase fertility. Providing adequate nutrients is a way to store nutrients to avoid fatigue and weak health during the upcoming pregnancy.

4. Sports practice

Most mothers after giving birth to their first child are afraid to exercise, which is not good for the body's recovery after giving birth to the first child. Women should have a regular exercise regimen suitable to regain shape and improve health.
Regular exercise, especially before the second pregnancy, helps to balance the body's hormones, enhancing fertility for women. Besides, if you don't exercise, there is a risk of obesity - a cause that inhibits future fertility in women.

5. Join the Pre-pregnancy health care and counseling program

Along with the correct and sufficient preparation before the second pregnancy, couples should also participate in counseling programs and health checks at the hospital so that the preparation for the second pregnancy takes place safely. , most favorable, to help prevent premature babies, birth defects or dangerous diseases. Understanding this importance, Vinmec Times City International Hospital has implemented a pre-pregnancy health care and counseling program for couples, including the second pregnancy case.
Program was developed by leading experts and doctors to help couples have the best preparation for pregnancy. The program includes all the necessary counseling for couples about the second pregnancy and what they need to know to have a healthy pregnancy, that is:
Genetic counseling before pregnancy Screening present carrier of the disease Preparing for assisted reproductive services Guidelines for the use of medications during pregnancy Vaccinations needed Taking vitamins and folic acid Food counseling before and during pregnancy Exposure prevention advice harmful chemicals, dangerous physical agents affecting before and during pregnancy Counseling, solving marital health problems, ensuring convenience for pregnancy Join Vinmec's program, couples The couple will be completely assured to be ready to have a healthy pregnancy, not only in the first pregnancy but also in the second or subsequent times.

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