OBs: Get in shape, stop smoking and take your vitamins before conceiving, giving birth | Health Care



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Many women spend more time trying to conceive, but when they are ready to have a baby they can turn out to be trickier than they thought.

"There is only 20 to 25 percent chance of success," says Dr. Savitha Singh, whose primary specialty at Franciscan Alliance is Obstetrics and Gynecology. "So women should not worry if it does not happen right away."

But while you're waiting to conceive, there are two steps to take care of a baby.

Julius Ellis, OB-GYN at Porter Regional Hospital, says, the counter-ovulation predictor kits to identify when they're most fertile. The kids work by detecting a hormone in production of luteinizing hormones, which occurs approximately 36 hours before ovulation.

Another way to determine ovulation is through mucus checks, Ellis says.

Your cervical mucus changes in color, texture, and amount during your menstrual cycle, especially when you start to ripen before ovulation, according to Planned Parenthood.

"Many women know when they're ovulating because of other signs as well," Ellis says. "They may feel tenderness in their breasts, may feel irritable or tend to worry more."

Being able to determine when you are most likely to be important, but you are in the best possible condition to become pregnant and carry a child.

"When I get somebody who wants to get pregnant who is on the obese side, I encourage them to lose weight and restrict their carbohydrate intake," says Singh. "For people who are high-carb, high-sugar consumers, I suggest they limit the amount of sugary drinks they consume. But everyone who wants to get pregnant should do 30 minutes of mild exercise daily. "

Alcohol consumption should also be limited.

While many people know that smoking is not good for a baby's development, Singh says it can also interfere with conception.

"Both partners should quit smoking and try to lose weight," says Ellis. "Is it mandatory for men to exercise and quit smoking? No. But it will be supportive if you both do so and make it easier. "

Adding fortified vitamins to your daily regimen when trying to get pregnant should be part of a pregnancy prep checklist. Singh recommends prenatal vitamins, while Ellis says that consuming 800 milligrams of folic acid daily helps reduce the risk of neurological defects in a baby. Folic acid is found in leafy green vegetables; fruits; dried beans, peas and nuts; and enriched breads, cereals and other grain products.

Women taking birth control oral contraceptives or oral contraceptive pills should stop a few months before trying to get pregnant.

"Complete the pack," says Singh. "That gives doctors a good idea when the pregnancy happened."

Ellis says those using Depo-Provera, a hormonal injection preventing unplanned pregnancies for at least three months at a time.

"When using barrier control methods and the intrauterine device, soon after stopping your body should be ready," says Ellis.

Also, make sure your vaccinations are up to date.

"Most of the people I have had, but you have not been vaccinated for that, you should," says Singh, noting that staying on schedule for tetanus shots is also important. "If you get pregnant, you should wait until after the birth to get vaccinated."

Pregnant women should not get live vaccines, such as MMR, combined immunization for measles, mumps and rubella. Up to 85 percent of babies born to mothers who contracted rubella, also known as German measles, during the first trimester can develop serious birth defects such as hearing loss and intellectual disabilities.

"Then it's important to wait three months before getting pregnant," says Singh.

"Taking care of all these issues should result in a successful pregnancy," says Ellis.

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