Pre Pregnancy Counselling

Diet

Before pregnancy, it is crucial to maintain a well-balanced diet that incorporates foods from all five major food groups. Include regular servings of fruits, vegetables, legumes, meats, fish, milk, yogurt, and cheese. Limit the consumption of foods high in added sugars and saturated fats. Take caution with fish containing high levels of mercury, such as shark, marlin, swordfish, orange roughly, and catfish, which should be eaten no more than once per fortnight. Other fish can be consumed once or twice per week. You should avoid high-risk Listeria foods that can pose a risk to your unborn baby. These include soft cheeses, cold processed meats, bean sprouts, pâtés, raw eggs, and pre-prepared salads. Ensure meat is thoroughly cooked. 
 
If you are overweight or concerned about your diet, speak with me for appropriate weight loss strategies before pregnancy, as severe dieting and weight loss during pregnancy are generally not recommended.

Other Lifestyle Factors

Smoking

Smoking is a health risk whether you are pregnant or not. When considering pregnancy, you need to be aware of the negative impacts of smoking on pregnancy.  These include increased chances of miscarriage, preterm birth and stillbirth, and effects on fetal growth and placental function. Smoking during pregnancy also increases the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and childhood asthma, even if you don’t smoke after the baby is born.

There is no doubt that if you are a smoker, it is preferable to cease smoking before commencing your pregnancy rather than waiting until you are pregnant until you try to stop.

If your partner is a smoker, it can be much harder for you to quit. Although partner smoking may not have such significant risks to pregnancy, having a smoker in the house can also increase the risks of childhood problems like SIDS and asthma. Together, you should discuss the benefits of them ceasing smoking. If you both stop together, you will find it more manageable.

Quitting smoking can be difficult.  If you are contemplating pregnancy, you may benefit from speaking with me about this or contacting Quitline (137848 / 13 QUIT).

Alcohol

Whilst there is some debate on the subject, most experts (including the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council) recommend avoiding alcohol altogether during pregnancy. This is because we don’t know if there is a ‘safe’ amount of alcohol consumption in pregnancy, and if so, what that safe level is.

It is undoubtedly the case that regular or heavy drinking during pregnancy has the potential to be harmful to an unborn baby and should be avoided.

Illicit Drugs

There are no illicit drugs that are considered safe in pregnancy. If you regularly use illegal drugs, please talk to me to discuss the best strategy for managing this issue before commencing your pregnancy.

Supplements

Folic acid

Folic acid supplementation has been shown to reduce the risk of several congenital disabilities, including spina bifida. You should take a multivitamin supplement containing at least 400 mg per day for at least one month before you fall pregnant and for the first three months of your pregnancy.

Iodine

Iodine is vital as an ingredient for the production of thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones are responsible for a range of body metabolism functions and, during pregnancy, can impact your baby’s brain development.

In Australia, iodine intake has decreased in recent years. Seafood, bread, dairy products, seaweed and eggs are good sources of dietary iodine. In addition, for women who are planning a pregnancy, pregnant, or breastfeeding, the National Health and Medical Research Council recommends taking a supplement containing at least 150 micrograms per day.

If you have a pre-existing thyroid condition, these recommendations may not apply to you, and you should discuss your specific requirements with me prior to commencing a pregnancy.

Vaccinations

Several infections can cause problems if they occur during pregnancy. Some of these can be prevented, or their effects minimised by vaccination. These include rubella, chickenpox and influenza (“the flu”). Most people in Australia are vaccinated against these conditions. However, even if you have been vaccinated in the past for these diseases, your immunity can reduce over time, and you should consider consulting your doctor to assess your need for vaccinations if you are planning to get pregnant.  Some vaccines can be given safely during pregnancy; others are best avoided during or immediately before pregnancy. I can advise advise you on which vaccines you should have and their relative safety in pregnancy.

Tracking Your Ovulation

Knowing when you are ovulating can be helpful  to increase your chances of conceiving. It can be even more critical for women with irregular periods as ‘peak’ fertility days may fall outside the typical 28-day cycle.

To track when you may be ovulating, find out when the first day of your last period was. This can be considered day one. Assuming a roughly 28-day cycle, your fertile window is usually between Day 10 and Day 15. This, however, is a rough guide as every woman is different. If your cycles are longer or shorter than 28 days or irregular, you should discuss with me or your general practitioner when your most fertile time is.

Pre Pregnancy Health Check

Having a pre-pregnancy health check-up before you start trying to get pregnant is often a valuable way of optimising your health for pregnancy.

You may have your pre-pregnancy check with your general practitioner/family doctor or an obstetrician, such as myself. If you have specific concerns about pregnancy, it may be helpful to discuss them with me. If you choose to see me, you will need a referral from your general practitioner