Planning pregnancy - necessary examinations and recommendations of a gynecologist

The first steps on the path to maternal happiness

Preparing for pregnancy begins with a visit to a gynecologist or reproductive specialist. He will conduct a classic examination on a gynecological chair and prescribe a series of tests. Laboratory tests of blood, urine and smears from the vagina or cervical canal will reveal hidden infections and inflammatory processes that are asymptomatic.

What tests need to be taken before planning a pregnancy:

On TORCH infections. This is a comprehensive study that allows you to detect the presence or absence of antibodies to rubella, some sexually transmitted infections, herpes and cytomegalovirus. It is much easier to get vaccinated against rubella before conception than to worry about the possible consequences for 9 months, avoiding contact with children.
On the level of iodine in the body. The lack of this microelement in a woman during pregnancy can provoke a lag in the intrauterine development of the baby, and as a result, the birth of an unhealthy child. It is enough to take specific drugs with a high iodine content for 3 months, and the problem will be resolved.
For hidden infections and inflammatory processes. Women visit a gynecologist only if they have symptoms of any pathology. But the “trick” of hidden infections is that they can “appear in all their glory” already during pregnancy. The result is the birth of a child with defects, deficiencies in physical or mental development.

It is worth mentioning separately which hormones to take when planning a pregnancy. Most often, doctors refer for a thyroid test, checking the TSH level. This hormone is “responsible” for the normal functioning of a woman’s reproductive system, maintaining pregnancy and the smooth functioning of all organs and systems. TSH when planning pregnancy is one of the most important indicators for conception and birth of a healthy child.

A woman must understand that planning a pregnancy is the work of two partners. Therefore, doctors insist on examining the future dad as well. Firstly, you need to make sure that the man’s reproductive system is functioning within normal limits, the sperm in the ejaculate are viable and do not have deviations in morphological structure. For this purpose, spermography is done. Secondly, there may also be hidden pathologies, inflammatory or infectious processes in the partner’s body that negatively affect the quality of sperm.

What is included in pregnancy planning?

This concept means a conscious decision to give birth to a child, as well as an associated set of measures designed to reduce risks for the expectant mother and her baby:

medical examinations of both parents to detect possible diseases and pathologies that interfere with pregnancy and that can harm the expectant mother and child;
lifestyle correction - correcting eating behavior, giving up bad habits, increasing physical activity, etc.;
related non-medical aspects - recalculation of the family budget taking into account the costs of examinations, treatment and other procedures, changing work activities or obtaining preferential conditions.

The specific list of procedures is individual and depends on many factors. Among the main ones are the health status of the parents, lifestyle, the presence of relatives with genetic diseases, income level, nature of work activity, etc.

Where to start?

From searching for information about pregnancy, childbirth and the subsequent raising of a child. You are making a decision about the birth of a new person, and therefore it should be as conscious as possible. Future parents need to clearly understand what difficulties and risks they may encounter during this period, and whether they can overcome them in order to give their child a happy childhood.

Only specialists - obstetricians, gynecologists, therapists with appropriate education and experience - can provide truly useful information. Family planning centers, courses and schools for expectant parents provide information in this area. It is very important that both partners participate in this process.

How long does the pregnancy planning period last?

On average, it takes 3 months to prepare for conception. This time is enough to undergo medical examinations and lifestyle adjustments. However, if the parents have any congenital or acquired diseases, then additional time may be needed for their treatment. Ideally, before preparing for conception, you should visit a therapist, who will individually determine the list of necessary procedures and measures, and also calculate the exact duration of the pregnancy planning cycle.

Does planning pregnancy only apply to women?

There may be a misconception that preparation for conceiving and bearing a child concerns only the expectant mother and baby. However, the role of the partner is no less important:

a man may also have diseases, genetic and other disorders that prevent pregnancy or jeopardize the health of the mother and child;
he is charged with the task of meeting a woman’s growing needs for healthy nutrition, rest, physical activity, etc.

The partner must also take an active part in collecting information on conception and pregnancy and resolving related issues. Without joint efforts and cooperation between partners, the chances of successfully conceiving and bearing a child drop significantly.

What tests are performed when planning pregnancy?

One of the main goals of this stage is to identify and, if possible, eliminate diseases and pathologies that parents have and that can lead to the inability to conceive or carry a child normally. To do this, both partners must undergo a course of medical examinations. Pregnancy planning for women includes:

Fluorography
to exclude tuberculosis and neoplasms in the mammary glands;
Ultrasound of the pelvic organs
to prevent developmental disorders of the uterus and determine the condition of the ovaries;
Test for antibodies to rubella
- a disease that is especially dangerous during pregnancy due to its effect on fetal development;
Urinalysis
, which allows to identify disorders in the genitourinary system, which experiences increased stress during pregnancy;
Hormonal blood test
, carried out in women with irregular menstruation, excess weight, or a previous termination of pregnancy;
Analysis for STDs
(urethral and cervical scrapings), which allows to identify causative agents of chlamydia, urea- and mycoplasmosis, gardanerellosis and other sexually transmitted infections.

Men also undergo a course of examinations with an andrologist, including:

analysis for sexually transmitted infectious diseases - even if a woman is completely healthy, sexual contact with an infected husband can lead to fatal consequences;
spermogram to determine the number and motility of sperm (prescribed if it is impossible to conceive within a year).

For both partners, an examination is provided to determine the blood type and Rh factor in order to exclude Rh conflict. It is recommended to undergo genetic tests if one or both partners had hereditary diseases in the family, as well as for women and men over 35 and 40 years old, respectively. The doctor may prescribe additional tests and examinations if there is a suspicion of any specific pathologies.

Do I need to take vitamins when planning pregnancy?

Taking vitamins and other biologically active substances is an important measure to strengthen the health of the parents themselves, ensure normal conception and development of the fetus, and the course of pregnancy. In this regard, the following compounds are of particular importance (indicating the daily requirement for women planning pregnancy):

Folic acid (0.4 mg).
This substance is found in green vegetables, beans, nuts, and citrus fruits. Folic acid is necessary for normal division of embryonic cells, development of the nervous and vascular system of the fetus.
Iodine (0.2 mg).
This trace element ensures the normal functioning of the mother’s thyroid gland and prevents miscarriages, and is involved in the development of the child’s nervous system. Considering that most of Russia is located in an iodine deficiency zone, it is necessary to compensate for its deficiency with seafood (algae, shellfish, fish), and figs.
Vitamin A (0.17 mg).
During pregnancy, it ensures the normal development of the placenta, bone tissue and visual organs of the embryo. Vitamin A (more precisely, its premetabolites) is found in large quantities in fish oil and meat, pumpkin, carrots, and tomatoes.
Vitamin D (2.5 mg).
Ensures the functioning of the female reproductive system, the development of bone and nervous tissue, and fetal immunity. Its sources are hard cheeses, cottage cheese, fish oil, caviar, mushrooms, butter.

In addition to these substances, the conception and bearing of a child are influenced by vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, D, E, macro- and microelements (magnesium, zinc, calcium, phosphorus), complex organic substances (polyunsaturated fatty acids, lutein), etc. d.

It is important to observe the exact dosage of biologically active substances - their excess is just as harmful as their deficiency. Therefore, when planning pregnancy, it is recommended to control their intake by taking vitamin and mineral preparations prescribed by a doctor. Unlike regular food, their composition is strictly defined, which reduces the risk of accidental overdose.

Does pregnancy planning include treatment?

Only if the results of a medical examination revealed diseases or disorders in the body of one or both parents that could lead to the impossibility of conceiving or bearing a fetus or its abnormal development. Depending on the nature of the pathology, treatment may include:

taking medications (anti-inflammatory, hormonal, immunomodulating and other) drugs;
physiotherapy (massage, electrophoresis, laser therapy, etc.);
surgery (for example, to remove tumors).

Modern medicine uses a diverse list of medications, physiotherapeutic techniques, invasive and non-invasive surgical technologies. Their use can significantly increase the chances of successful conception and the birth of a healthy child, even for parents with serious disabilities.

Do I need to adjust my lifestyle when planning a pregnancy?

Bad habits, poor environment, high levels of stress, lack of exercise - these and other aspects of modern life negatively affect the ability of parents to conceive and give birth to a healthy child. It is especially important to take care of the expectant mother’s lifestyle, because, unlike her partner, she will be closely connected with her baby for 9 months. To do this she needs:

Give up bad habits - smoking, drinking alcohol. Alcohol and tobacco smoke increase the risk of miscarriage, abnormal fetal development and other pathologies.
Normalize your diet by including more fresh vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, fish, shellfish, etc. This will increase the content of vitamins, micro- and macroelements, beneficial amino acids, etc. in food, and will also prevent obesity and atherosclerosis , diabetes and other diseases.
Increase physical activity by doing morning jogging, yoga, recreational exercises or any other sport. Extensive physical activity is not necessary - a normal level of mobility will provide the necessary muscle tone, improve blood circulation and metabolism.

The partner also needs to pay attention to his lifestyle. The quality of nutrition, the presence or absence of bad habits, and the level of activity determine the quality of sperm, which directly affects the likelihood of successful conception and the birth of a healthy child.

What prescriptions can doctors give when planning pregnancy?

It is natural that a woman will need to undergo full treatment when diagnosing any pathological process. By the way, the patient will be strongly recommended to cure dental caries, get rid of problems with chronic inflammation of the tonsils (tonsillitis), and undergo a course of treatment for chronic rhinitis of any origin (allergic or infectious). But even if the expectant mother is absolutely healthy, the doctor will prescribe her a course of vitamin therapy.

Vitamin E is the most important when planning pregnancy and bearing a baby. In the first case, it is taken for 2-4 months. Vitamin dosage – 1 tablet three times a day, regardless of meals. Vitamin E normalizes and stabilizes the menstrual cycle, normalizes ovulation processes, and makes the egg more active.

The second most important and important drug is folic acid, which will help you get pregnant and properly form the internal organs and systems of the fetus. The dosage of folic acid when planning pregnancy is 1 tablet three times a day. These are general recommendations. After a complete examination of the woman, the gynecologist will be able to adjust the prescription. When conception occurs, the drug is discontinued in most cases.

Vitamin complexes are recommended for both men and women as preventative measures. They strengthen the body, increase immunity, and improve metabolic processes. What vitamins a woman and a man should take when planning pregnancy, their dosage and course duration are determined by a gynecologist.

Diet when planning pregnancy

It is extremely important for women and men to reconsider their lifestyle. This applies not only to giving up alcohol, but also to adjusting your diet. Food should be satisfying, nutritious and not heavy. Nutritionist advice:

daily consumption of at least one and a half liters of clean water;
breakfast and lunch – nutritious and satisfying, dinner – light (fresh vegetables, fruits or a glass of kefir);
food should be varied so that the body receives a sufficient amount of microelements.

Only a competent approach to pregnancy planning, regular consultations with doctors and checking your own health will give the desired result. You will find detailed information about pregnancy planning and whether it is possible to plan the gender of the child on the pages of our website Dobrobut.com.

Related services: Ultrasound examination Consultation with an obstetrician-gynecologist during pregnancy

Tables for determining the sex of a child by the “age” of blood.

This technique is based on the assumption that the blood of women and men is regularly renewed. In women, this happens once every 4 years. In men, blood is renewed once every 3 years. Having found out the “blood age” of the parents, they compare it with each other. Add the number of months that have passed from the parent's last birthday to the month of conception. The gender of the parent whose blood turns out to be younger and is passed on to the baby.

In the first table we find the blood renewal coefficients of the father and mother, opposite the age.

In the second table, you need to find the number at the intersection of the month of birth of the parent and the month of conception of the child.

Now for each parent we add up the resulting 2 numbers (from tables 1 and 2). Whoever has the lower number (“younger blood”) is most likely to have a child of that gender.

Example: mom is 29 years old, dad is 30 years old. Mom was born in June, dad in March. According to the results of the first table, mom = 1, dad = 0. According to the results of the second table, mom = 10, dad = 1. Based on the results of both tables, mom (1+10 = 11), dad (0+1 = 1). “Dad's blood is younger” - a boy will be born.