Pre-conceptual Care PDF

Pre-conceptual care  Preconception health care Preconception health care is care given to a woman before pregnancy to manage conditions and behaviors which could be a risk to her or her baby Pre-conceptual cares at least three months before you conceive. If couples are in...

Pre-conceptual care  Preconception health care Preconception health care is care given to a woman before pregnancy to manage conditions and behaviors which could be a risk to her or her baby Pre-conceptual cares at least three months before you conceive. If couples are in an optimal state of physical and emotional health before conception will increase the possibility of producing good quality sperm and ova, which will grow into a normal, healthy embryo  healthy sperm and ova reduce the chances of recurrent spontaneous abortion, premature birth and birth defects and improve your chances of fertility. Good pre-conceptual care will also benefit your baby during the first twelve weeks of life in the womb when all the essential organs are being formed.  assessment should elicit information from the patient regarding the following Modifiable risk factors for preterm labor Work- related exposure to chemicals or infectious agents Risk for modifiable infectious diseases Hereditary disorders Use of prescription or over-the-counter medications History of physical, emotional or sexual abuse Nutritional adequacy Alcohol use Tobacco use Substance abuse Gestational diabetes Risk for psychiatric disorder  Domestic violence Domestic violence can occur before, during and after pregnancy. Violence during pregnancy has been associated with miscarriage, late entry into prenatal care, stillbirth, premature labor and birth, fetal injury and low birth weight (The World Report on Violence and Health, 2002  Components of Pre- conceptual care Folic acid supplements to prevent neural -1.tube defects 2- Rubella vaccinations to prevent Congenital Rubella Syndrome. 3- Detecting and treating existing health conditions to prevent complications in the mother, and reduce the risk of birth defects  health conditions include: Diabetes Hypothyroidism HIV/AIDS Hepatitis B Hypertension Blood diseases Eating disorders mponents of Pre-conceptual care Reviewing medications that can affect the-4 fetus or the mother, such as epilepsy medicine 5-Reviewing a woman’s pregnancy history – has she lost a baby before? Family planning counseling to avoid-6.unplanned pregnancies 7-Counseling to promote healthy behaviors 8- Genetic counseling 9- Timing a pregnancy RUBELLA (GERMAN MEASLES) Mother catches rubella in early pregnancy, the developing baby's sight, hearing, heart or brain can be severely damaged. Many women have been immunised, or have had the infection as a child. Occasionally protection can be lost A simple blood test, to test the immunity. If she is not protected it is important to be immunised at least one month before pregnant No immunisation during pregnancy  Toxoplasmosis Certain animals can carry bacteria that can cause harm to a developing embryo. Cats may carry Toxoplasmosis. Sheep and goats may carry Brucella These can harm a baby. Basic hygiene is very important. Wear gloves if cleaning cat litter, handling animals or working in the garden  Advices Diet: Having a healthy balanced diet before and during pregnancy is important the risk of some birth defects such as spina-bifida may be decreased by taking a vitamin called folic acid for some weeks before, and during the early months of pregnancy Increase Foods Rich with MAGNESIUM, ZINC, VITAMIN B6 ,and VITAMIN E  Foods to Avoid Avoid saturated fats and hydrogenated oils which increase inflammation and disrupt hormone production. Keep red meat to a minimum. Limit protein which is high in saturated fat such as red meat and cheese. Avoid shark, and tuna which are high in the heavy metal, mercury. Avoid caffeine, eating liver or take extra vitamin A supplements  Advices Weight - Being underweight can cause infertility and reduced birth weight or abnormalities in the baby. Being overweight can increase the risk of pregnancy complications (BMI) Exercise - Some regular exercise or simply walking would help improve fitness.  Advices Environmental hazards - Try to minimize your exposure to traffic fumes, chemicals and pollutants Drugs - Try to take only essential medication and check if it is safe to use in pregnancy. Infections - It is wise to have your immunity to rubella checked before becoming pregnant and be vaccinated again if your immunity is low. Smoking it can worse high blood pressure In the mother it has been shown to be associated with low birth weight and prematurity (early delivery) Smoke inhaled passively can cause the same problems Contraception - you should stop taking contraceptive pill, progesterone injections. at least three months before trying for a baby.  Important tests *Rubella *Anemia *Toxoplasmosis and CMV *Sexually Transmitted Diseases  Genetic counselling Couples with a close family history of, or a previous child with, any disorder that is inherited (such as cystic fibrosis or muscular dystrophy) should seek medical advice  Timing a pregnancy Identify when you are about to ovulate.... Check for man sperm concentration... Abstain from intercourse for at least 3 days before day expected to ovulatation. Have intercourse at this time.