Think Ahead! Is There A Baby In Your Future?

Staying healthy before you conceive can help prevent birth defects. It is during the early stages of a pregnancy when many of the baby's major organs and systems are forming.

Two to eight weeks after conception, the fetus is the most vulnerable

• The heart is formed by 6-8 weeks
• The spinal column is the most vulnerable at 2-6 weeks
• Arms and legs develop by week 8
• During weeks 4-8, many other organs are developing and are vulnerable: ears, teeth, genitalia, palate, eyes

Have a medical check-up before you conceive
Schedule a preconception visit with your OB/GYN. Know your family history and your partner's history as it may be helpful to your physician in planning a healthy pregnancy and baby. If you don't have an OB/GYN or Nurse Midwife, contact our HealthLink Physician Referral Service at 800-515-0044, or visit our OB/GYN and Nurse Midwives page click here.

Be Prepared
There are steps you can take before you conceive to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

• Take folic acid - Significantly decreases incidence of spinal bifida and plays a role in heart disease prevention
• Do not smoke
• Do not use alcohol or drugs
• Always consult your physician before taking any medications, including over the counter drugs
• Eat a balanced diet
• Exercise
• Have a Medical Problem Treated
• Diabetes needs to be extremely controlled
• Hypertension in managed state
• Asthma should be evaluated
• Any chronic condition needs to be addressed before pregnancy
• Avoid exposure to toxic substances - Think of job-related exposures to chemical

Plan Ahead
An important step in planning a healthy pregnancy is choosing your healthcare provider. When choosing a provider, consider:

• Does the physician/nurse midwife participate in your insurance plan
• Where does the physician deliver
• Do your personal desires for a birth experience mesh with the physician, nurse midwife, and the hospital
• Investigate your current health insurance coverage.
• How long will you be able to stay in the hospital
• What kind of home health visits will they cover
• Do they cover lactation services
• Do they cover childbirth education

Here are some items to consider when choosing your birth center:

• Take a tour
• Check out their education programs for expectant and new parents
• Ask about rooming in for your partner
• Ask about lactation services
• Discuss practices for pain management
• If you and your partner both work, discuss childcare arrangements
• Do you want to hire a provider or will a family member care for your child
• Learn about the advantages of using a licensed caregiver who is state inspected
• What hours will you need childcare
• Do you have easy access to the provider

As a couple, you need to:

• Discuss openly your plan for how to adapt your lifestyle
  to include children
• You are a couple now and you will be a couple after your children are grown - protect that relationship

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