ARE YOU PLANNING A PREGNANCY?
Am I immune to Rubella?
Do I need a pap smear?
Do I need iron or vitamins?
What food and drugs should I avoid?
Is there a history of genetic disorders in
my family, or my partner’s family?
What blood tests do I need?
Am I at risk of postnatal depression?
Am I going to breastfeed?
How do I get pregnant?
What are my childbirth options?
If you are planning a pregnancy, make an appointment and Ask your GP for a pre-pregnancy check up.
Pre-pregnancy Advice
Foods to Avoid
Every couple wants to have a healthy baby
and mother during and after pregnancy.
Planning pregnancy can minimize the risks of
mortality, birth defects in the baby, intervention
in the birth process itself, such as caesarian
section – and even postnatal depression.
If you are thinking of becoming pregnant,
many of these complications can be avoided
by consulting your General Practitioner. Your
GP can provide information on birth defects,
and test for iron deficiencies, vitamin
deficiencies, Rubella and other infectious
diseases. They can also advise you on what
foods to avoid, what foods to eat, and explain
your choices in the birthing process.
Planning a pregnancy, preparing for
breastfeeding, and having a choice about
where you can have your baby can lead to a
better outcome for mother and child.
Obtaining health advice and screening can
increase your chances of having a healthy,
problem free pregnancy.
Ask your GP for advice.
Listeria infection is an illness that may result
from eating food contaminated with bacteria
known as Listeria monocytogenes. This
infection can be transmitted to an unborn baby
which could result in a miscarriage, still birth,
premature birth, or a very ill newborn child.
Pregnant women should not eat foods which
carry a high risk of Listeria. These include
processed foods:
Folate Before Pregnancy
Pregnant women should not eat foods that are
close to the “use by” date.
All women should have a diet rich in folic acid
for at least one month prior to pregnancy.
Increasing your folic acid can prevent up to 70
percent of neutral tube defects such as spina
bifida. Eating a diet based on a wide range of
vegetables, fruit, beans, wholemeal cereals
and breads is the best way to ensure that you
get enough folate. Folate is easily destroyed
in cooking and prolonged storage, so it is wise
to eat fresh fruit and vegetables that are either
raw or only lightly cooked.
that are not adequately heat treated; or
that are stored for long periods; or
made where good food hygiene practices are
neglected.
These include;
Pate; cooked diced chicken; polony; ham and
processed meats; soft cheeses (such as brie,
camembert, feta and ricotta); pre-prepared or
stored salads (such as coleslaw); and cold
smoked and raw seafood (such as smoked
salmon, oysters and sashimi).
Drugs in Early Pregnancy
It is very important that you don’t take any
medication, drug or tablet in early pregnancy
without first checking with your GP. This
includes drugs that you may be already taking
as well as some antibiotics and cough
mixtures that you may have been prescribed.
Alcohol and Tobacco
Pap Smear
Tobacco is a hazardous drug to be taking
during pregnancy. Even a few cigarettes a
day can lead to miscarriage, premature birth –
even stillbirth. Quit before pregnancy.
Any woman who has been sexually active
needs to have a pap smear every two years. In
particular, women who have had a previously
abnormal smear should have a pap smear
prior to pregnancy.
There is no evidence to say that the
occasional glass of alcohol is harmful to your
unborn baby. However, women who drink
more than ten standard drinks per week are
definitely putting their baby at risk.
Rubella and Other infectious Disease
Rubella, or German measles, when contracted
during pregnancy, can lead to blindness,
deafness and heart disease in babies. A
simple blood test can detect whether you are
immune to rubella or if you need a vaccination
before you become pregnant. There are other
diseases, particularly sexually transmitted
diseases that may affect mother and/or baby.
These can be detected by a simple test or a
vaginal swab (similar to having a pap smear).
Postnatal Depression
Most mothers experience some feeling of
being “down: after childbirth. Both during and
after pregnancy many changes occur, affecting
a woman’s body and lifestyle. These changes
include the establishment of breastfeeding,
major hormonal changes, the body’s return to
its natural pre-pregnant state, coupled with the
disorientation of broken sleep, loss of routine
and the mother’s lack of time for herself and
her partner.
Before pregnancy, it is important to discuss
with your GP your previous experiences of
childbirth and pregnancy. This should include
the hopes and fears you currently have for the
pregnancy you’re planning.
Iron and Vitamins
Breastfeeding – The Natural Choice
Having a baby means making many choices.
One of the most important and far reaching
ones you make is about the best way to feed
your new baby. Breast milk is complete food
Birth Defects
containing everything needed for the first six
Everyone hopes that they will have a healthy
months. Most women can breastfeed
baby. However, some couples are more at risk successfully and confidently when they have
than others of having a baby with a birth defect the right information and support. It is
or a hereditary condition.
important to discuss your concerns with your
You should consider asking for testing if you or partner and your GP so you can adequately
prepare for breastfeeding.
your partner;
A simple blood test can tell your GP about
your risks of anaemia, whether you may need
iron later on in your pregnancy.
has a known condition that runs in your family;
has already had a child with a birth defect or
hereditary condition;
are female, aged 35 or over; and planning to
have a child;
are closely related (e.g. cousins);
are concerned about the risk of your child
having Down Syndrome or Spina Bifida;
has a hereditary condition that can be passed
onto your children;
has had more than one miscarriage.
Childbirth – Your Options
Have you considered where and how you will
have your baby? Public or Private – GP,
Midwife or Specialist – Labour Ward, Family
Birth Centre or Home Delivery? You can
discuss your options.
Ask your GP
(Reproduced by courtesy of the Swan Hills Division of General Practitioners Ltd.)