Did you know that while you may be currently on your period, according to the pregnancy calculator – you may be already 5 days pregnant?
If you are trying to conceive (TTC), this is pretty big news. And it also means that the health of your body right now, and your habits – can have a large impact on your chances of conceiving.
It is also time to consider having some well check ups with your doctor. If you know you want a baby and are actively trying to conceive, the time to get healthy and be your healthiest is right now! So what tests should you have?
The first thing to do is have a regular visit with your doctor. If you have not had your annual pap smear, go ahead and do it now. Also, it is a good idea to get a CBC (general blood count) to make sure that you don’t have any underlying infections or illness. If you have been struggling with getting pregnant, getting a thyroid work-up, including a T4 test, is also beneficial. Sometimes, an underactive thyroid can throw your hormones off balance just enough to make getting pregnant difficult.
Another blood test to have is a Rubella blood test. The rubella test will indicate whether or not you have antibodies against the German Measles. IF you are infected with the rubella virus during pregnancy, there are risks to your unborn baby and your chance of miscarriage is higher. Some women may have to get an MMR vaccine, if they were not vaccinated as a child or if the anti-body levels are not high enough.
It is also important to check for any sexual transmitted diseases. They will look for infections such as chlamydia, genital warts, herpes and other human papilloma viruses. Even if you have had the same sexual partner for an extensive period of time, these STD’s can lie dormant and go undiagnosed for many years. And, they can complicate your pregnancy and your health if you have them during pregnancy. Now is NOT the time to be embarrassed about asking your doctor for a thorough exam.
This is also a great time to start taking prenatal vitamins. Prenatal vitamins NOW will ensure that your body has the appropriate levels of vitamins and minerals that are essential to pregnancy. And since they may make you a little nauseous at first – starting now can get you accustomed to it BEFORE pregnancy morning sickness sets in.
Of course, you should also avoid alcohol and tobacco products, make sure you are getting enough sleep, continue to exercise, eat well by limiting sugar and caffeine, and drink plenty of water.
Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2014. All rights reserved.
