Physician: Get healthier before becoming pregnant

Women need to get healthier before they become pregnant. That's the message of preconception care, which helps ensure that moms have the best chance possible of having a healthy child.

Seeing a doctor after you're pregnant is an important part of a healthy pregnancy. But many women don't have their first prenatal care visit until they're several weeks along.

"Getting pregnant and then seeing your doctor is like putting the cart before the horse," said Dr. Wendy Cutler, an obstetrician and gynecologist with The Austin Diagnostic Clinic. "Birth defects and complications can arise very early in a pregnancy. If a woman's health is managed before she conceives, health problems that can affect her and her baby can be reduced or prevented altogether."

Whether you're trying to get pregnant for the first time or if you want to get pregnant again, following these tips can help make sure you are in optimal health no matter when you conceive.

Take folic acid. Take 400 mcg of folic acid a day for at least three months before trying to get pregnant. "Folic acid is a B vitamin that reduces a baby's risk of developing serious brain and spinal cord defects such as spina bifida," said Cutler. "These birth defects usually develop in the first month of pregnancy, a time when a woman may not even be aware she is pregnant."

Stop smoking and drinking alcohol. There is no question that smoking and drinking while pregnant can harm your baby. Research shows that smoking is associated with preterm births and low birth weights, and alcohol can cause fetal alcohol syndrome and other birth defects. Don't wait until you're pregnant to cut out these potentially harmful habits, said Cutler.

"Only 20 percent of women can successfully quit smoking while they're pregnant. Talk to your doctor about a smoking cessation plan before you even begin to consider having a baby," said the physician. "The same goes with alcohol. If you are a frequent drinker, you need to change your habits before you get pregnant, not after. And if you drink before you know you're pregnant, you can do serious harm to your child."

Control your conditions. Many health conditions can impact the health of an unborn child. Obesity, diabetes, hypothyroidism, HIV/ AIDS, hepatitis B, high blood pressure, blood disorders and eating disorders are just a few of the chronic diseases that can increase the risk for complications.

"If you have a chronic condition, work with your doctor to ensure it is managed properly before you begin trying to conceive," said Cutler. "In addition, visiting your doctor prior to planning a pregnancy can help detect any health conditions you have that you might not be aware of."

Consider your medications. Talk to your doctor about which medications you take and their potential effects on an unborn child. Some medicines, such as Accutane, which is used to manage acne, can be harmful and should be stopped before conception occurs. Other drugs, such as epilepsy medicine and blood thinners, can also affect a fetus.

"If you're taking medicine or herbal supplements that aren't essential to your health, it's best to stop taking them," said the physician. "For medicines that you must take, your doctor can help explain how they may affect your pregnancy and discuss any possible alternatives."

Avoid exposure to toxic substances. Certain substances at work and home should be avoided. Eliminate exposure to pesticides and fertilizers. If your partner uses these substances, avoid contact with his clothes and have them washed separately. If you have an older home, make sure it is free of lead-based paint. Cat and rodent feces also should be avoided.

Cutler recommends that women follow these tips a minimum of three months before trying to get pregnant. But preconception health is important to all women. "More than half of all pregnancies in the U.S. are unplanned. That's why preconception health is important for any woman who is sexually active and physically able to have children."

Preconception care can help reduce the risk for birth defects, low birth weight, preterm delivery and infant death, and improve the overall health of a woman. "Before you think about getting pregnant, think about your health. Talking to your doctor about preconception care is the first step to having a healthy baby."