Alcohol:
- Do not drink alcohol.
- No amount of alcohol is safe when you are pregnant.
- Alcohol can cause you to be unhealthy and lead to problems in a pregnancy.
- If you want to stop drinking alcohol and need help, talk to your healthcare provider.
Smoking:
- Quit smoking before you are pregnant.
- Smoking cigarettes is unhealthy for you and can lead to problems in a pregnancy.
- If you want to quit smoking and are having trouble stopping, talk to your healthcare provider.
Drugs:
- At no time is it ever safe to use illicit, “street drugs”.
- If you are using and want to stop and need help, talk to your healthcare provider.
- Discuss all prescription and over-the-counter medications with your healthcare provider before you get pregnant.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs):
- Most common being Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and HIV.
- If you know you or your partner have a STD, it will be important to share this with your healthcare provider before you get pregnant.
- STDs can lead to problems in a pregnancy.
- If you are not sure if you or your partner have a STD, you should both be tested.
Environmental Factors:
- There are toxic, meaning poisonous things around us every day.
- Being aware of what they are and then avoiding them if possible is important.
- Some common toxins that you may have heard of are: bug spray, tobacco smoke, some paints and glues.
- It is important to be aware of the potential toxins around you and avoid them.
Stress:
- Stress is a part of everyday life.
- Too much stress can have bad health effects on the body.
- Planning to have a baby can cause stress.
- Know what your stressors are and then develop coping strategies to lessen your feelings of stress.
Vaccinations:
Are you up to date?
- Talk to your doctor about your vaccination history.
- If you have not been vaccinated against certain diseases your doctor may recommend you receive the vaccination before you become pregnant.
Medical
Conditions:
Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Seizure Disorders, Depression,
Hypothyroidism and Infections.
- Sometimes the medications you may take to control your disease or illness are called teratogens, meaning they can harm a developing baby.
- Talk to your doctor if you plan to become pregnant and have anyone of these underlying medical conditions that you may take medications for.
- Your physician can work closely with you and decide what medications will work best for you when you decide to become pregnant.
Family
History of Birth Defects and Genetic Disorders:
- If you or any one in your family has a known birth defect or genetic disorder, meaning something that you or your family member have in their genes that can be passed on to a baby, your baby may be at risk too.
- It is important to talk to your doctor about you and your partner’s health history.
- Often carriers of certain disease are unaware they have the disease, particularly those with sickle cell disease or thalassemia.
- It is important if you are high risk for these diseases (African descent, Middle Eastern descent) that you and your partner are screened prior to conception.
- If you are at high risk of having a child with a birth defect or have a genetic disorder you and your partner may benefit from genetic counseling , where a trained professional can explain in a way you understand what the risks to you and your unborn baby are.
What
does every man need to know?
Healthy
eating:
- Remember to eat a variety of foods, with lots of fruit and vegetables.
- Limit the amount of foods with a lot of sugar or fat in them. - Support your partner, eat healthy together.
Sexually
Transmitted Diseases (STDs):
- Get tested and treated for STDs.
- Protect yourself and your partner from STDs.
Alcohol:
- Avoid alcohol
Smoking:
- Quit smoking now.
- Second hand smoke is harmful.
Illegal
Drugs:
- Stop using now.
Environmental
Factors:
- There are toxic, meaning poisonous things around us every day.
- Being aware of what they are and then avoiding them if possible is important.
- Some common toxins that you may have heard of are: bug spray, tobacco smoke, some paints and glues.
- It is important to be aware of the potential toxins around you and avoid them.
Family
History of Birth Defects and Genetic Disorders:
- Learn your family history and share with your partner and doctor.
- Certain diseases and birth defects that are in your family may require you to have genetic counseling where a trained health professional can explain to you in a way you understand what your risks may be.
References
Freda, M., Moos, M., & Curtis, M. (2006). The History of Preconception Care: Evolving Guidelines and Standards. Maternal Child Health J, 10, S43-S52.
Mitchell, E., & Verbiest, S. (2013). Effective Strategies for Promoting Preconception Health-From Research to Practice. American Journal of Health Promotion, 27, S1-S3.