PREGNANCY MADE EASIER

Pregnancy is a physiological state in which a woman carries one or more babies in her womb over a specified period of time (the normal between 37 to 40weeks) after which she delivers and carries the product in her arms. It is an immunosuppressive state involving the whole systems of the body. 

The events from the day one to the last day of pregnancy differ from one woman to another, generally speaking the most of women find the 1st trimester (1st 3 months) a bit challenging due to the morning sickness, the sudden but later gradual changes they experience in their body system and the psychological burden that may vary from one woman to another depending on the circumstances that surround the pregnancy. 

The second trimester (2nd 3 months) is usually a period of peace and psychological well-being for the woman as she starts getting bonded to the fetus which would have started moving (kicking) from about 16-18 weeks of gestational age. Again, these differ from woman to woman. 

At the 3rd trimester, the body is really stretching and trying to cope, the woman would have increased weight, she would have discomforts lying with a particular side of the body. Most 3rd trimester burden is having to do with body changes and at this stage also, most women get tired and would start counting down to the expected day of delivery. My country-people refer to labor as a time between life and death. 

No matter how beautiful a pregnancy period was, the end justifies the means. Having a happy ending for mother and baby or babies is the most important and of course, the father rejoices only at a glorious ending. I have seen many successful labor and I have also seen the other side too which is usually not pleasant and disappointing to both health workers and the concerned relatives. Lack of success can lead to a loss of interest in future pregnancies and psychological imbalance depending on how bad the outcome is. There are so many factors that determine the end of a pregnancy even though some sad ends cannot be explained. More of these factors are modifiable and can be influenced before or during pregnancy. It is therefore paramount to prepare for this great time if we expect success (a healthy baby and a healthy mother). 

Here is a list of what to do when preparing to get pregnant. 

1. Go for a medical consultation, see your doctor to discuss how safe it is for you to get pregnant. You will be asked to run some investigations to know whether you are fit. It is a time to let the doctor know if you are having any disease at all so he could judge whether it could be transmitted to the child or be prevented. Your past pregnancy and birth history will be useful too so the doctor could avert failure in the future in case there was a failure in the past. Some of the tests you will be asked to do will include: blood pressure, sugar test, blood test, pelvic scan, diseases screening like hepatitis B, syphilis, HIV and so on. The idea is to get a go ahead in relation to your medical state from a seasoned medical practitioner. 

2. Eat a balanced diet because the nutrients demand in pregnancy is much higher than in the absence of pregnancy. When preparing for pregnancy, you should understand that you must harness nutrients for yourself  and the baby. These nutrients can be gotten from balanced meals including fruits and vegetables. 

3. Avoid junks and heavy carbohydrate food, do some exercises and shed some weight. This alone can even help a woman termed infertile by PCOS (polycystic Ovarian syndrome) to conceive. 

4. Take supplements and especially folic acid. So many women wait for pregnancy before commencing folic acid intake whereas it should be before pregnancy so you can increase its stores in your body. Folic acid is very crucial in the earliest pregnancy even when the woman is yet aware. 

5. Avoid alcohol and tobacco smoking. These produce dangerous chemicals in the body that's not healthy for pregnancy. Avoid alcohol based herbs or avoid herbs generally. 

6. Take much rest and reduce stress. Psychological and physiological stresses on their own can prevent pregnancy. 

7. Consider starting your tetanus vaccinations before pregnancy. Young ladies can start this and will be able to finish the 5 doses even before the 1st pregnancy.

8. All young ladies should also desist from arbortion or should go for a safe arbortion with an expert if very necessary. Family planning methods are advised to prevent unwanted pregnancy.

9. Have in mind the closest standard hospital to you for your antenatal care and be prepared to register as soon as a pregnancy is confirmed. 

10. Reflect on the past pregnancy failures or successes and mark out what needs to change. 

11. Read books on pregnancy and labor. Ask questions from knowledgeable people. 

12. Picture and imagine a successful pregnancy. Whatever you can see, you can achieve. 

13. Stop all contraception and any method that prevents pregnancy. 

14. Have adequate sex or 2-3 times per week. This is recommended for all couples seeking pregnancy. 

15. If you are having problems with getting pregnant easily, especially more than six months in a woman above 35yrs or more than one year in a woman below 35yrs, then you need to master your ovulation tracking and possibly see a gynecologist. 

I hope women, supported by their men everywhere, will sit down to plan before becoming pregnant. It is a period of responsibility and accountability for everyone including the attending health workers. 

BolaHealth Cares.