Preparing for a healthy pregnancy begins long before you see those two blue lines on a pregnancy test. It begins with a crucial phase known as preconception health.
So, before embarking on the rollercoaster ride of pregnancy, it’s vital to understand what preconception health entails. It’s more than just prenatal vitamins and avoiding alcohol.
Preconception health encompasses a series of steps and considerations that ensure both mother and baby are off to the best possible start. And that is where preconception screening which is the equivalent of women’s wellness screening (https://endofibroid.com.sg/service/womens-wellness-screening/) but for those who are planning to conceive also comes in; they help you understand how specific risk factors and health conditions may affect you or your unborn baby before you conceive.
What are the Recommended Screenings for Preconception Health
Usually, when you visit a women’s health clinic and inform them of your desire to conceive, they will guide you in the right direction and ensure you’re informed on all the rightful screenings you can get. Real quick though, here are some of the options for women’s health screening that they may suggest;
· Blood Tests
Blood tests are like a window into your body’s state of health. They do more than just carry oxygen; they tell a story of your overall well-being.
Especially in preconception, these tests help reveal potential concerns that might influence your pregnancy journey. They focus on crucial markers like iron levels and thyroid function and provide a thorough snapshot of your present health status.
Iron levels are crucial; ensuring your body has what it needs to function optimally. Low levels could lead to fatigue and complications during pregnancy.
Thyroid function, often overlooked, plays a key role in metabolism and overall health. Imbalances can affect fertility and lead to pregnancy complications.
· Genetic Testing
Genetics are a natural part of the human experience. However, there are certain genetic conditions that can impact your pregnancy outcome.
And again, here is where genetic comes in. This testing reveals potential risks, to ensure that you’re equipped with crucial information for family planning decisions.
If you’re getting your preconception women’s health screening in Singapore, you will understand just how much it holds special relevance, particularly for conditions like Thalassemia and Tay-Sachs disease. Thalassemia affects hemoglobin production and this increases the risks of to anemia and other complications.
Tay-Sachs, though rare, is a severe neurological disorder. Knowing if you carry these genes helps ensure that you can take proactive steps in family planning.
· Immunizations
Immunizations are a key part of women’s health, especially during pregnancy. They offer protection for not just the mother but also, the baby.
So, you will want to ensure that you keep current with essential vaccines before pregnancy. This way, it will be a lot easier to defend against potential infections that could pose risks during gestation.
Certain vaccinations like the flu shot and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) not only safeguard the expecting mother. They also confer immunity to the newborn.
This protection begins in utero and extends through breastfeeding and in the process, it creates a vital defense in those early, vulnerable months. Also, vaccines like the rubella vaccine ensure protection against birth defects. So, when consulting about your women’s health screening in Singapore, also ask about vaccinations to determine the necessary immunizations you should get.
· STI Screenings
STI Screenings are a crucial component of women’s health care, especially during pregnancy. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can have severe repercussions for both the mother and the developing fetus.
Conducting routine screenings is imperative to promptly identify and treat any infections so both the mother and fetus’ health are safeguarded. STIs like syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV can lead to complications if left untreated during pregnancy.
They may result in preterm birth, low birth weight, or even serious birth defects. Early detection through screenings allows for timely medical intervention, reducing the risk of such complications.
These screenings are not just a precautionary measure; they are a lifeline for expectant mothers and their unborn children. Getting them is a critical step in ensuring a safe and healthy start for both you the mother and the developing baby. Essentially, they set the stage for a bright and promising future.
· Chronic Disease Management
For those grappling with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or hypertension, proper management of these conditions is paramount if you’re contemplating pregnancy. Prior to conceiving, it’s imperative to attain optimal control over these conditions.
This not only enhances the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy. It also helps you mitigate potential risks that these chronic ailments may pose.
Effective management involves a combination of regular check-ups, medication adherence, and lifestyle adjustments. This ensures that these conditions remain stable and well-regulated.
Keeping up with the plans for your women’s health screening in Singapore and consulting with professionals, including specialists like gynecologists, can provide tailored strategies for managing chronic diseases in the context of your health. When you prioritize on chronic disease management before pregnancy, you safeguard not just your well-being but also that of your unborn child.
And, What Lifestyle Practices should be followed to Ensure Preconception Health?
Preconception health is about creating an optimal environment for conception and a healthy pregnancy. Ideally, it revolves around creating the perfect environment for your health and the development of your baby. To achieve this, there are a few lifestyle practices you may need to adjust to including;
- Maintaining a balanced diet
- Regularly exercising
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Managing stress and
- Getting your medical checkups as needed.
Maintaining a balanced diet can be as simple as incorporating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins into your diet. Folic acid, found in leafy greens and supplements, is especially vital for preventing birth defects.
Avoid excessive caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco use as these substances can harm fertility and the developing fetus. Regular exercise helps maintain a healthy weight. It can also help you reduces.
However, it’s important to strike a balance; extreme workouts can sometimes hinder fertility. In regards to maintaining a healthy weight, keep in mind that both underweight and overweight conditions can disrupt fertility.
Aim for a Body Mass Index (BMI) within the recommended range. Also worth noting is that high stress levels can interfere with hormonal balance. When this happens, there is a chance of your ovulation patterns getting affected.
To manage stress, you may want to engage in relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises. Also, get adequate sleep to allow your body to rejuvenate.
And, don’t miss any checkups. As you probably, already understand they can help you detect any underlying conditions in a timely fashion so it is easy to manage them before they impact pregnancy.
It’s a Wrap!
Starting a pregnancy journey isn’t a one-person thing. Engage specialist doctors like OB-GYNs, and follow the recommendations they give for your optimal health. During the routine women’s health screening in Singapore, also ask them about customized plans that are tailored to your unique health needs. If you’re ready to get started, call or visit Endofibroid at;
Endofibroid | Centre For Endometriosis And Fibroids – Women’s Health Screening | HPV Vaccination Singapore
38 Irrawaddy Road
#05-49 Mount Elizabeth Novena
Singapore 329563
https://endofibroid.com.sg/contact/
(65) 8048 7994
