Pregnancy And Baby Care Preconception Care Preconception Checklist

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Apart from the customary blood test, there are several other tests that are part of the preconception planning checklist. Given below is a preconception checklist for some of the other recommended tests:

• Blood pressure check
• Pelvic exam
• Pap smear
• Urinalysis for diabetes and Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
• Thyroid function test
• Parasitic and viral disease check
• Genetic testing

The risks of a miscarriage can be reduced by taking the right precautions at the beginning. It is best for you to go through a preconception counseling checklist at least a few months before you plan to conceive. Do bear in mind that following a preconception checklist does not guarantee that you will have a healthy pregnancy and baby; it simply reduces the risks of any complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

It is a well-known fact that a baby changes your life completely, which is why both you and your partner need to be absolutely sure that you are ready, not just physically, but also emotionally and financially for this step.

In case you have checked all the items mentioned above, you are ready to have a baby.

Preconception Checklist for Men

Planning a pregnancy is a major decision, not just for the women, but for both the partners. There is a lot or preconception advice readily available for women through various resources, but it may not be very easy for you to find a lot of information for men who are planning to have a baby shortly. There are a few steps that men can take to increase their chances of fathering a healthy baby. Given below are a few points that should appear on every preconception checklist for men:

• Quitting habits like drinking alcohol and smoking.
• Getting within a healthy weight range, by following a healthy diet and exercise routine.
• Giving up on any recreational drugs several months in advance.
• Undergoing a complete checkup, so that any medical concerns can be addressed before trying to conceive.
  
  
• Maintaining healthy sperm by wearing the right underwear and avoiding any activity that could cause the testicles to become overheated.
• Avoiding any exposure to lead, mercury or other hazardous substances.

Dads-to-be could benefit a lot by reading a few pregnancy books, so that they know what to expect.

Preconception Checklist for Women

Health experts usually advise all women within child-bearing ages to undergo a preconception checkup a few months before they plan to conceive. This can allow you to assess if you are physically, mentally, emotionally and financially ready to take such a huge step or not. At the same time, a preconception checkup also gives you the chance and the time to address any health concerns that may be identified. Given below is a preconception checklist for women, to improve their overall health and prepare their bodies for pregnancy:

• Make sure that you are neither overweight, nor underweight.
• Quit unhealthy practices like smoking, drinking alcohol & taking recreational drugs.
• Let your doctor know about any medication that you have been taking in the past.
• Add prenatal vitamins, like folic acid, calcium tablets and other nutritional supplements to your daily diet.
• Keep a record of your blood type as well as your partner’s blood type.
• Check your family history for any pregnancy-related problems or birth defects.