Planning a pregnancy. What should you do?
What is worth taking care of and what is pointless: tests, vitamins, sex, wine, coffee, food, sport and Rh-negative blood, discussed with an obstetrician-gynecologist.
Planning a pregnancy. What should you do?
We argued for a long time about whether Purpur needed this topic.
Then we decided to make use of our acquaintance with a great obstetrician-gynecologist who also hosts a podcast. We talked about what is worth taking care of and what is pointless.
And yes, a word from Captain Obvious Purpur: quit smoking.
There is no universal list of recommendations for planning a pregnancy
Ideally, start preparing for pregnancy three months in advance.
A must: see an obstetrician-gynecologist and put together an individual plan for check-ups and pregnancy care.
Recommendations
1. Tests and check-ups:
- for the main STIs, for both partners
- cervical cancer screening, if it is due
- for TORCH infections (toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus, rubella, herpes)
- antibodies to chickenpox and measles, and getting any vaccinations you need
- discuss with your doctor whether you need genetic testing.
2. Taking folic acid for the development of the baby's nervous system, plus iodine and vitamin D.
3. A visit to the dentist
This will help you avoid unnecessary pain during pregnancy and taking extra medication.
Sex while trying to conceive
2–3* times a week is optimal for the highest sperm count in the semen.
*More is fine too.
Sex during pregnancy
Good news: it is not off-limits, and you can have as much as you like! There is no way to touch the baby with toys, fingers or a penis.
Masturbation is welcome too.
Anal sex is okay in early pregnancy if there is no risk of miscarriage or premature birth, and no individual contraindications.
Closer to the third trimester, it is best to avoid rough sex.
And yes, keep using protection so you don't catch an STI.
So is a glass of wine okay or not?
The question hasn't been fully studied, and there is no definitive evidence.
Experts agree that a couple of servings of alcohol a week should not have a negative effect on the pregnancy or the baby.
1–2 glasses of wine or 1–2 glasses of beer up to 5% ABV
Is coffee okay?
It's worth limiting caffeine to 200 milligrams a day (and remembering that caffeine isn't only in coffee).
Caffeine content for comparison:
filter coffee — 96 mg
espresso — 63 mg
large cappuccino or latte — 125 mg
green tea — 33 mg
matcha — 35 mg per half teaspoon of matcha powder
herbal teas (chamomile, ginger, mint, rooibos, etc.) — 0 mg
What about food?
Healthy eating is always good! Junk food or a spicy tom yum is fine too if you suddenly crave it. But remember the risk of food poisoning: that is what's best avoided during this time.
And what about exercise?
Yes: gentle exercise to keep your muscles toned (yoga, Pilates, stretching, prenatal exercise classes, swimming). It will also help you prepare for birth and make recovery easier.
No: heavy training (barbells, kettlebells, weights) and "get a full-body pump in 100 days" workouts.
If you ran before pregnancy, remember Charlotte from Sex and the City and keep running.
My blood is Rh-negative. What should I do?
You only need to do something if your partner is Rh-positive.
Up to week 28: get tested for anti-Rh antibodies every month
At week 28: get an injection of anti-Rh immunoglobulin
You may need more during the pregnancy, under a doctor's supervision.
After birth:
- if the baby is Rh-negative, nothing needs to be done
- if the baby is Rh-positive, you get one more dose of immunoglobulin.
