Regardless of whether it was planned or discovered at a time when the couple had not yet expected, is pregnancy a magical and transformative period? not only for the pregnant woman, but for the whole family involved.
But it is true that a planned pregnancy has certain advantages over a "surprise" pregnancy. This is because, when planned, all the factors needed for a good pregnancy for mother and baby are easier to achieve before pregnancy.
Márcio Coslovsky, gynecologist and obstetrician specializing in human reproduction at Primordia Reproductive Medicine in Rio de Janeiro, points out the main advantages of a planned pregnancy: being able to perform a clinical checkup before pregnancy and lose weight if necessary. It is also an opportunity to deal with any eventualities pointed out in the previous check-up exams.
For the gynecologist and obstetrician, two or three months is usually a reasonable time for a woman to begin planning her pregnancy.
It is misleading to think, however, that planning a pregnancy simply means going to the gynecologist and saying "I want to have a baby." There are a number of factors to consider before making this decision, and a number of other factors to take into account when the decision to get pregnant is totally right.
Also read: 10 clothes that can be worn during and after pregnancy
9 Things To Think And Do Before Planning A Pregnancy
Do you think the time has come to "raise the family", which is prepared to receive a baby and therefore wants to get pregnant as soon as possible! But calm down: finding is not enough, you have to be sure, after all, son, as good as it is, it's a lifelong responsibility.
"Before thinking about getting pregnant, women should consult three areas: reproductive age, relationship stability and professional and financial balance, ie, the biological, emotional and rational set must be in perfect harmony", comments Cristiane M Maluf Martin, Crisma Clinic psychoanalyst, specialist in Psychoanalysis, Couples Therapy, Psychodiagnosis, Ludotherapy and Group Dynamics.
"It is important to consider everything before planning a pregnancy, whether in physical, mental, financial and spiritual, because this decision will surely affect all areas of your life," adds Cristiane.
In this sense, you give guidance on what to think and do before you actually start planning your pregnancy.
1. Enjoy life
Before making the decision to get pregnant, according to Cristiane, the couple must enjoy and enjoy the carefree life without children. "Travel, date a lot, sleep late, surf, ride a horse, finally, do whatever you please and feel like it," he says.
2. Ask yourself some questions
Having a child is a lifelong commitment, so according to Cristiane, it's important to ask yourself some questions, such as:
- Is it in agreement with my partner?
- "He and I have differences in religion, have we discussed how this will be for the child in the future?"
- How will I reconcile work with child education?
- ? We are both willing to give up luxury, like sleeping late, for example ??
3. Think about the financial conditions
A child needs to be planned in every way, including the financial. ? It is important that the couple make an estimate of spending and check if the family budget can currently undergo this significant change ,? says Cristiane.
"It is recommended that the couple have savings so that they can afford the expenses that go up, especially in the last months of pregnancy, and during preparation for the arrival of the baby," adds the psychoanalyst.
It should be borne in mind that this choice comes at a price, can we fix it? Isn't that the best way to think? Cristiane recalls.
4. Think in physical space
It is very important to still think about the physical space. Think about whether there is room in the house for a baby, if the region is cool to raise a child? The time is right to deal with a possible retirement or moving home, as it is a great therapy ?, comments Cristiane.
5. Take care of yourself
Cristiane remembers that no one is born prepared to be a mother. "Having a child is a responsibility and a commitment, a decision that must be meditated with tranquility, trust and sincerity," he says.
Therefore, organize your feelings and mental health, women suffering from depression tend to have more difficulty getting pregnant.If you do not have a "good head", it is better to seek help before getting pregnant, because hormonal changes are intense and often can cause depression in pregnancy and postpartum depression, "explains the psychoanalyst.
If the woman is balanced at the time of pregnancy, everything tends to be easier, including childbirth. I emphasize that pregnancy is NOT a disease, but it should be clear to women that physical and psychological changes are inevitable ?, adds Cristiane.
It is still important for women to take care of their physical health, too. Am I eating well? Do I have good lifestyle habits? "Is my overall health ok?" These are some of the points to think about.
6. Have a straight talk with your partner
The couple needs to be sure that they are prepared to have a child. "It's not any decision, so you both have to be aware of the thrill of that decision, but never leave reason aside," says Cristiane.
How is your relationship? The future father of the baby and you have the same will? Thinking of a child as a solution to a relationship that is shaken can be a trap, because the situation itself requires several renunciations, ie, this choice ends up giving us less than we lost, and this can lead to an internal discomfort called anxiety. Does the little being take charge of everything around him, for example, the times of the house, the structure of the room, the furniture in the room, everything goes around the needs and desires of the little ones? Comments the psychoanalyst. These changes may happen to a greater or lesser extent, but they certainly have an influence on how the couple's life works from the birth of the baby.
Cristiane points out that a person's biggest mistake is to think that a child will bring happiness to the couple. "Because, in fact, what should be clear to the couple is that the child will share the happiness that already exists, even because it would be very selfish of both to put this responsibility on the child," he says.
7. Be prepared to face opinions
If the couple, in fact, makes an important decision like this, surely they will end up hearing different opinions? some to encourage, some perhaps with the proposal to question. ?How nice! It was about time, right? Are you sure you want to have a child? Is it hard work? "Aren't you too young for this?" These are some examples of comments that may arise.
But, it is noteworthy: the decision is solely of the couple. And both should keep in mind that regardless of whether they comment on the desire to have a child, the charges are real on any family or wheel of friends, but that does not mean that these guesses should be accepted. For example, the person starts dating, they charge the marriage; after she gets married, the charge is on her children; After the couple have their first child, they ask when the second child comes, and so on? says Cristiane.
"I emphasize that the couple must maintain a firm stance, to set boundaries and face the questions and criticism of family and friends, and make it clear to them about how they feel uncomfortable with the questions," adds the psychoanalyst.
8. Go to the dentist
From a practical point of view, it is good for a woman to go to the dentist to check the overall health of her mouth.
It is important to go to the dentist before pregnancy and during pregnancy. Is there a gum fragility caused by pregnancy that can cause gingival bleeding and small foci of infection in the mouth ?, highlights the gynecologist Coslovsky.
9. Think about the obstetrician who will accompany you
It is interesting to start thinking about the doctor you would like to accompany you during pregnancy and childbirth. Does your trusted gynecologist do this or will you have to look for a new one?
"The obstetrician who will accompany the pregnancy has to be someone with experience and updated knowledge, with whom the pregnant woman has and / or have a good relationship," says Coslovsky.
7 Steps to Planning Pregnancy
You and your partner are really determined: you want to have a baby and you are going to start planning your pregnancy from now on. Below are some steps you should take to ensure a successful pregnancy:
1. Find the right weight
If you are overweight, it is interesting to try to get into your proper weight (which your doctor may tell you). “This is not fundamental, but it is much better for women. People who are overweight are more likely to become diabetic or hypertensive in pregnancy. Pregnancy is an overload for the body, and if the woman is already burdened by obesity, is a sum of problems? Explains Coslovsky.
To lose weight, there are no secrets: you need to combine healthy and balanced eating with some physical activity.
2. Stop Smoking
Coslovsky points out that cigarettes are an enemy of fertility. It anticipates menopause by decreasing ovarian function. Once pregnant, toxic substances cross the placenta and increase the chances of prematurity and low fetal weight. For those who want to get pregnant, the cigarette must be abandoned yesterday ?, he says.
3. Decrease Alcohol Intake
For people who drink socially, there is no problem getting pregnant. But once the pregnancy is discovered, you need to stop drinking? Explains the gynecologist.
4. Perform clinical checkup
The woman should have a complete checkup to check on her health. According to Coslovsky, there are fundamental tests that must be done before a woman becomes pregnant. Serology to ward off infections. Serology for rubella and toxoplasmosis, blood glucose, Pap smears, ultrasound to diagnose possible malformations of the reproductive organs and tests for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis ?, explains.
5. Discontinue contraceptive use and have sex in childbearing period
If you are using any contraceptive method, such as contraception, you must stop it.
It is also essential to be informed about your fertile period, which is the moment of the menstrual cycle when the fertilization of the egg by sperm and, therefore, pregnancy is most likely. That is, is the time when ovulation occurs? when the ovary releases one or more eggs to be fertilized.
Ovulation is always considered to occur in the middle of the cycle, ie around the 14th day of a normal 28-day cycle. So since the desire is to get pregnant, the ideal time to have sex is 3 days before to 3 days after the expected day for ovulation.
6. Start taking folic acid
The woman who is trying to get pregnant can start taking folic acid. ?Is a good idea. Folic acid is beneficial for reducing fetal malformation and neural tube defects in the baby, such as anencephaly ?, explains Coslovsky. Consult your obstetrician and nutritionist so that together they can create a proper nutrition plan for the coming baby.
7. Watch Your Diet
A woman who wants to get pregnant does not necessarily have to change her diet (unless she has bad habits and recognizes them, such as eating too much frying and candy). “She should watch out for raw meats and poorly washed salads because of toxoplasmosis. Other than that, can other eating habits stay the same ?, says Coslovsky.
There are many doubts and even myths about coffee consumption, but according to the gynecologist, coffee is not contraindicated in pregnancy or in its planning. "Without exaggeration and with common sense consumption is allowed, but it takes moderation," he recalls.
In any case, it is always important to talk clearly with the doctor about possible changes that should be made in the diet.
Finally, in addition to these practical issues, it is very important to control anxiety at this time and also to "care for the relationship", not letting this stage of preparation for pregnancy become painful, stressful.
The sexual relationship to have a child must also be special, consecration of a marriage, the couple must enjoy to enjoy this moment and never perform it by obligation (only with that fixed idea of generating a baby). This is a phase that calls for complicity, love and romanticism!
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