Preconception care means taking steps to maintain your health before getting pregnant. Doctors who care for pregnant women say this type of care is very important. When women check their health before pregnancy, they have fewer problems during pregnancy.
Many women do not know they have health issues before they get pregnant. Some women have hormone problems. Other women have infections in their bodies. These health problems can hurt the baby if doctors do not find them early. Preconception care helps doctors find and fix these problems before a woman becomes pregnant.
Why Preconception Care Matters
Dr. Abayomi Ajayi is a doctor who helps women get pregnant. He works at Nordica Fertility Centre in Lagos. Dr. Ajayi says preconception care starts when women take care of their health and well-being. This care stops many problems that can make it hard to have babies.
Preconception care helps doctors look at a woman’s medical history. Doctors can help women change things in their lives to make getting pregnant easier. Women who plan their health before pregnancy usually have healthy pregnancies.
Important Parts of Preconception Care
Dr. Ajayi explains that preconception care includes many health habits:
- Eating good food that helps the body stay strong
- Doing exercise to keep the body healthy
- Staying at a healthy weight
- Getting enough sleep every night
- Taking care of mental health and feelings
Women also need to protect themselves from infections that spread through sex. If a woman has an infection, she needs treatment right away. Some women need vaccines to stay healthy. Women should drink less alcohol or stop drinking completely. Smoking tobacco is very bad, and women should never smoke. Women should also stay away from too much heat and dangerous things at work.
Getting Help When Needed
If a woman follows all the preconception care steps but still cannot get pregnant, she should see a fertility specialist right away. These are special doctors who help people have babies.
Dr. Ajayi says women should not choose hospitals based only on price. Some people call many hospitals to find the cheapest price for having a baby. But cheap hospitals might not have good equipment. A hospital might not even have a working incubator to keep babies safe.
The cheapest hospital is not always the best hospital. The most expensive hospital is not always the best, either. Women should visit the hospital and talk to the workers there. Women should check how the hospital staff communicates. If hospital workers lie about small things, they will not tell the truth about important things.
The Problem of Late Awareness
Many women in Nigeria do not know about preconception care. Most women only go to the doctor after they are already pregnant. Some women wait until they have serious problems before seeing a doctor. This makes pregnancy more dangerous.
Dr. Ajayi tells women the truth even when they do not want to hear it. If a woman is 40 years old and gets pregnant, she has a higher chance of losing the baby than having a live baby. This is true whether she gets pregnant naturally or through special medical help. This fact is hard to hear, but women need to know it.
Age and Fertility
Dr. Joseph Akinde is another doctor who helps pregnant women. He says women should not wait too long to get married if they want children. Age plays a big role in whether a woman can have babies. As women get older, it becomes harder to get pregnant and stay pregnant.
How Food Affects Fertility
Dr. Akinde also talks about food and fertility. He says the connection between diet and fertility is not simple. There is no one perfect diet that works for everyone. Women should eat balanced, healthy food that works well for their bodies.
Supporting Couples with Fertility Problems
Dr. Ajayi says families and friends need to support couples who cannot have babies. Not being able to have a baby causes many problems. It causes social problems, emotional problems, and money problems. Trying to have a baby when it is hard is one of the most difficult things a couple can experience.
Some relationships become stronger during this hard time. But many relationships break apart. Some people have killed themselves because they could not have babies. Other people have become mentally sick. Everyone needs to treat couples with fertility problems with kindness and understanding.
Not being able to have babies is a big health problem all over the world. Communities need to learn how to help couples going through this problem. Most couples with fertility problems have not done anything wrong. They have lived their lives the same way other people have lived.
What Young People Need to Know
Ms. Uche Akolisa wrote two books about fertility problems. The books are called “What You Should Know to Escape Infertility” and “Why Some Men Shoot Blank Shots.” She says reproductive health needs more attention from everyone.
Fertility, sexual health, and reproductive health are serious topics. More and more young people cannot have babies. Young people must learn about their fertility before they get married. This helps them make smart choices.
Young people learn about ABC in sexual health. ABC means abstinence, being faithful, and using condoms. Most young people think ABC only prevents HIV and other infections. But Ms. Akolisa says ABC also helps protect fertility. Following these rules helps young people stay healthy so they can have babies when they are ready.
The Importance of Early Health Planning
Preconception care reduces the number of mothers who die during pregnancy. It also reduces the number of babies who die. When women prepare their bodies before getting pregnant, pregnancy becomes safer for both mother and baby.
Healthcare providers can review a woman’s complete medical history during preconception care. They can find health conditions that might cause problems. These conditions include hormonal disorders and infections. When doctors find these problems early, they can manage them before pregnancy starts. This protects the developing baby.
Key Takeaways About Preconception Care
Preconception care is the foundation of a healthy pregnancy. Women who prioritize their health before conception create the best environment for their babies. This type of care involves nutrition, exercise, mental health, and medical checkups. Women should avoid harmful substances and get treatment for any infections.
Choosing the right healthcare provider is crucial. Women should visit hospitals in person and evaluate the quality of care. Cost should not be the only factor in this important decision.
Age affects fertility significantly. Women should be aware of how their age impacts their ability to conceive and carry a pregnancy to term. Starting preconception care early gives women the best chance of having healthy babies.
Support from family and community makes a big difference for couples facing fertility challenges. Everyone should approach these couples with sensitivity and kindness. Infertility is a medical condition that deserves compassionate support.
Conclusion
Preconception care is essential for women planning to get pregnant. By taking care of their health before pregnancy, women reduce risks and increase their chances of having healthy babies. Young people need education about fertility and reproductive health to make informed decisions about their futures. For more information and resources about reproductive health and gender issues, visit genderpedia.ng/shop.
