This is a must-see for those who are thinking, "I want to have a child soon, but what should I do before I get pregnant?" This article lists the tests you should do before pregnancy and the knowledge you need to know. If you are pregnant, please read through to the end and refer to it.
Find out in this article
- 4 must-dos before getting pregnant
- 4 things you should do as much as possible before getting pregnant
- Male preconception care
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what to do before pregnancy
Before you get pregnant, there are a few things you should definitely do, and if possible, do. When you become pregnant, it is very important to check the knowledge you need to know before pregnancy for the healthy growth of the expectant mother and the baby.
Check out our pre-pregnancy to-do list here!
- Know your menstrual cycle and basal body temperature
- Take the test you want to take before you get pregnant
- vaccinate against rubella
- Stop smoking and limit alcohol consumption
- Change your mindset about staying healthy
- prepare yourself before getting pregnant
- Thinking about the child-rearing environment after pregnancy
- Knowledge of medication and diet during pregnancy
- Be aware of men's preconception care
Things to do before pregnancy
One of the most important things to do before conception is to find out if there are any diseases or habits that could affect the course of the pregnancy and the baby .
In order not to regret that I should have done it after getting pregnant, let's first check the 4 things you should definitely do before getting pregnant!
Know your menstrual cycle and basal body temperature
If you know your menstrual cycle and basal body temperature, you can notice pregnancy early, and there is an advantage that you can receive appropriate treatment at a medical institution .
When you become pregnant, signs of pregnancy appear, such as delayed menstruation and a high basal body temperature that lasts for two weeks. If you monitor your menstrual cycle and monitor your basal body temperature on a regular basis, you will be able to notice early signs of pregnancy.
Take a pregnancy test about a week after your expected menstrual period, and if it is positive, see a doctor as soon as possible1).
There are cases of abnormal pregnancies such as ectopic (ectopic) pregnancies that can be life-threatening if left untreated, so it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible and receive appropriate treatment.
pre-pregnancy test
The pre-pregnancy tests are to check if you are in good health, how your pregnancy is progressing, and what diseases are affecting your baby .
〜Examinations to be done before pregnancy〜
- Cancer screening (cervical cancer, breast cancer screening)
- sexually transmitted disease test
- Ultrasound examination of the uterus and ovaries
- Diabetes, dyslipidemia, examination of liver/renal function, heart, thyroid, etc.
vaccination
If you don't have rubella immunity, be sure to get the rubella vaccination before you get pregnant!
It is known that rubella infection during pregnancy can lead to sickness in babies, miscarriages and stillbirths. In order to avoid a sad outcome, people who do not have immunity to rubella are recommended to be vaccinated before pregnancy.
It is also necessary to avoid pregnancy for about 2 months after the rubella vaccination. If you want to get pregnant early, get vaccinated against rubella first.
Stop smoking and limit alcohol consumption
Smoking and alcohol during pregnancy can affect your baby's development . Smoking can cause premature birth, delayed growth, and low birth weight.
It is also said that drinking alcohol during pregnancy can lead to low birth weight and brain damage. Therefore, it is necessary to abstain from smoking and alcohol during pregnancy. However, many people find it difficult to quit their smoking and drinking habits.
For health reasons, it is important to refrain from smoking and drinking before pregnancy.
Things to do before pregnancy
Pregnancy is different from your usual physical and mental state, so even the slightest things can make you feel uneasy.
Therefore, if you have as much background knowledge as possible before pregnancy, you will be able to reduce panic and anxiety when you become pregnant.
Be sure to check the 4 things you want to do as much as possible before you get pregnant so you don't have to worry or panic after pregnancy!
Change your mindset about staying healthy
Since it is important to manage your diet and weight during pregnancy, it is important to change your awareness of health maintenance before pregnancy.
Many young women are especially thin, and there are concerns about energy and nutritional deficiencies. Therefore, it is important to have a balanced and healthy diet before conception.
Among them, there is a vitamin called "folic acid" that you should actively take before pregnancy. Folic acid is said to help prevent birth defects in babies, and it is recommended to take it before pregnancy2). Green and yellow vegetables contain a lot of folic acid, but supplements are recommended to ensure that you get the amount you need.
Read the following articles together
Explanation of nutrients and recommended meals during pregnancy
Prepare yourself for pregnancy
If you simulate pregnancy in advance, you will not be in a hurry when you become pregnant.
During pregnancy, your body undergoes a lot of changes, and you may experience some health problems such as nausea. Especially if you are working, the work environment may be affected.
It is important to think in advance about your willingness to accept changes in your body, who to report to, and when to tell (after entering the stable period, etc.) .
Acquire knowledge of post-pregnancy medications and diet
There are some medicines and foods that should not be taken during pregnancy, so be sure to check in advance before you get pregnant !
~ Foods to avoid during pregnancy 3) 4) ~
- Natural cheese (unpasteurized), meat and fish patties, smoked salmon
- raw ham, salami
- Uncooked raw meat such as rare steak, horse sashimi, yukhoe, and chicken sashimi
- raw milk
- Mercury-containing fish such as alfonsino, marlin, and bluefin tuna (be careful how much you eat)
If you become pregnant, please check with your obstetrician and gynecologist about medications and foods you should eat during pregnancy.
Thinking about the child-rearing environment after pregnancy
It goes without saying that pregnancy is not the goal, but what is important is raising children after pregnancy and childbirth .
If you are a working person, you have different options, such as whether you want to put your child in a nursery school and work, or quit your job and concentrate on raising your child.
In addition, the child-rearing environment changes greatly depending on the person, such as living far away from the family home. Therefore, it is very important to have the cooperation of a partner when raising children.
It is also recommended to have a discussion with the couple before pregnancy to adjust the awareness of the child-rearing environment.
Men should also be aware of preconception care
Pregnancy and childbirth are often predominately carried out by women, but a man cannot become pregnant alone and needs a partner .
Therefore, the partner's pre-conception care is also very important for pregnancy.
First of all, it is essential to have a sperm test to check the condition of your own sperm.
It is recommended that you refrain from smoking and excessive drinking, as it has been suggested that the quality of sperm may be reduced.
Also, during pregnancy, for example, a man may have a sexually transmitted disease, or if there is no immunity to rubella, a man may infect a woman.
It is recommended that you and your partner also receive a smoking cessation, a rubella vaccination, and an examination for sexually transmitted diseases.
After giving birth safely, let's check your health on a daily basis so that you can raise your child in good health.
summary
In this article, we have listed and introduced the tests you should do before pregnancy and the knowledge you want to know. If you are trying to conceive, pregnancy is often the goal.
The first thing I want you to do is check that you are in good health and that you have no illnesses or habits that could affect the course of your pregnancy or your baby .
Pregnancy is only possible if you have a partner.
If you want to get pregnant, please refer to this article and check out what you should do before pregnancy with your partner.
[I can understand you in just 3 minutes]
Click here for a free medical interview supervised by a doctor that can be done on LINE
References
1) Arax Co., Ltd. Check One package insert 2008 https://www.arax.co.jp/seihin/files/ippan/11_c1.pdf
2) Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Dietary guidelines for expectant and nursing mothers starting before pregnancy.
3) Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. What you should know about food for moms https://www.mhlw.go.jp/topics/syokuchu/dl/ninpu.pdf
4) Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare: What you should know about fish for future mothers https://www.mhlw.go.jp/topics/bukyoku/i</a>yaku/syoku-anzen/suigin/dl /100601-1.pdf
