One of the readers asked me, ?What are the precautions and medical check up etc which are required to be done before planning a pregnancy?? It is a welcome change in the attitude of younger generation who is aware of the problems of unwanted and unplanned pregnancies. A healthy body and positive attitude is very important for a safe pregnancy and healthy baby.

When to have a baby?

A pregnancy should be planned whenever a married couple wants to begin a family. Sometimes with today?s hectic life style and high ambitions, the planning of a pregnancy may be delayed significantly. A pregnancy or child may not go well with education, a career option or an opportunity to travel or migrate abroad. Many a times because of these uncertainties a pregnancy is delayed for many years after marriage. Medically speaking the best age for women to have children is between 20 ? 25years.Most of the times no problems are expected up to 30 years of age. Fertility starts declining after the age of 30 years and quite rapidly after the age of 35years. Hardly any pregnancies are reported after 40years of age without assisted conception.

 Is medical check up before pregnancy a must?

A young woman in general good health may not need a medical check up. However it would be good to have certain blood tests done before pregnancy and correct any problem if detected. Anemia, lack of oxygen carrying capacity of blood is a very common problem in young women and all pregnancies should begin with a normal maternal (hemoglobin) Hb. Other tests include a complete urine examination, a random blood sugar test, blood group and screening for sexually transmitted diseases.

All women should be vaccinated against tetanus, hepatitis and rubella in childhood itself. Rubella vaccine should be taken at least 3 months before pregnancy if already not taken as part of MMR in childhood. Rubella infection (a mild flue like disease) if occurs during pregnancy can lead to malformation in the baby. This can be prevented by taking rubella vaccine before pregnancy. Vaccination against hepatitis and tetanus prevent transmission of these diseases during child birth.

Exercise 

There is no problem in carrying out regular exercise, gym, yoga or sports while trying to conceive. These activities do not interfere with chances of conception or lead to early abortions. Light activity can even be continued during early pregnancy also but vigorous exercise should be avoided after missing the menses.

Supplements 

Daily Folic acid (5 mg) supplements taken 3 month before pregnancy reduces the chances of neural tube defects in the baby. During pregnancy iron and calcium will also be required.

Best period to conceive

The normal menstrual cycle is of 28 ? 30 days. Ovulation or release of egg in women occurs between days 12 ? 14. Thus the best period to conceive is in the middle of cycle. In irregular cycles it is not possible to predict the day of ovulation. In one cycle the chances of conception are 20% - 30%. A normal fertile couple may take one year to conceive. So do not start worrying too early.

A pregnancy is the most wonderful experience of life and you should enjoy it to the fullest.