Are you looking for a child? Then it makes sense to provide ideal conditions before pregnancy: catching up on vaccinations, taking folic acid, and stopping smoking are part of it.
Your decision is clear: you want a baby! But simply stopping contraception overnight is not a good idea: “If you want to have children, good pregnancy preparation is very important,” says Dr. Manfred Stumpfe, a specialist in gynecology and obstetrics from Geretsried. Here he explains what you should know about the Baby project and hamilə qalmaq üçün nə etməli (what to do to get pregnant).
Vaccinations
“If you want to get pregnant, you should be fully vaccinated,” says Dr. Stumpfe. With the help of a blood test, it can be determined whether you are also immune to childhood illnesses that you have not knowingly experienced. “In the absence of protection, the appropriate vaccinations should definitely be made up or refreshed,” emphasizes the expert. However, the determination of vaccination status is an optional service (IGeL) and is usually not paid for by health insurance.
Folic acid
“Take folic acid as soon as you want to get pregnant,” advises Dr. Stumpfe. Because taking folic acid, you can significantly reduce the risk of malformations in your baby. “Many congenital defects such as a failed neural tube occlusion or congenital heart defects can be prevented by timely folic acid intake,” says the gynecologist. Especially in the first weeks of the – usually still unnoticed – pregnancy, the intake of folic acid is therefore critical. Your doctor or pharmacist can advise you on folic acid preparations in the appropriate dosage and composition.
Exclusion of infectious diseases
“Get tested for immunity to toxoplasmosis before pregnancy,” advises Dr. Stumpfe. Your blood will be tested for certain antibodies. Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease transmitted, for example, via cat feces or the consumption of raw meat. The infection usually goes completely unnoticed and usually has no consequences for a healthy person. Once you have gone through the infection, you are usually immune to it for life. “However, if the initial toxoplasmosis infection occurs during pregnancy, it can lead to permanent, severe mental damage to the child,” explains Dr. Stumpfe.
If you are not immune to the pathogen, special care should be taken during pregnancy. If you have a cat, clean the litter box daily and wear disposable gloves. Even better, leave this task to others over the next few months. Raw vegetables and fruits should be thoroughly washed before consumption. You should only enjoy meat cooked through and always wash your hands thoroughly before eating and after gardening, etc.
“In addition to toxoplasmosis, chlamydia and cytomegalovirus infections should also be excluded,” adds Stumpfe. But beware: Women usually have to bear the costs of such examinations themselves.
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Stop smoking
A planned pregnancy is the best opportunity to finally renounce the smoldering stem. “Because nicotine influences the reproductive ability – of men and women,” says the expert. Thus, smoking deteriorates the quality of sperm and reduces the number of viable sperm cells. Nicotine consumption can also affect fertility in women.
During pregnancy, the addiction should be over anyway: Because pregnant smokers harm not only themselves but also the unborn child. The risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and stillbirth increases and the child is more prone to obesity, allergies, and infectious diseases.
Healthy diet and exercise
“Women have never been as open to changing their diet and lifestyle habits as they are now,” says Stumpfe. The diet should be varied, low in fat, and rich in nutrients. So you get all the vitamins and minerals necessary for optimal reproductive function.
If you are overweight, you should now declare war on your excess kilos: “Because being overweight can affect ovulation,” explains the expert.
Patience and joie de vivre
“Have patience for your desire to have a baby and give yourself at least one year,” emphasizes Manfred Stumpfe. Of the women who have used the pill, most are pregnant after six to nine months. The expert’s tip: “Be relaxed and carefree, live and love!”