Preconception testing

Get a basic pre-pregnancy screening from your doctor. This should include;

• Blood pressure assessment
• Breast check
• Weight check
• Pap smear
• Gynaecological examination
• Lifestyle advice
• Check immunity to rubella and varicella
• Testing for cystic fibrosis (1 in 25 is a carrier)
• Blood group and Antibody screen
• FBE
• Fe studies
• Vitamin D and TSH check
• Pelvic ultrasound
• Day 2-3 of cycle FSH, LH and estradiol level
• Antimullerian hormone and luteal phase progesterone level

Vitamin supplementation and diet:

• Start a folic acid supplement 3 months before becoming pregnant to help reduce neural tube defects (at least 500mcg)
• Start a pregnancy specific vitamin filled with other nutrients and minerals such as iodine, iron, vit D, B group vitamins and fish oil
• With exercise and a sensible eating plan, reaching your ideal body weight pre-conception will assist with natural fertility and lower specific pregnancy complications associated with high BMIs

Lifetsyle changes:

Smoking;

• Smoking affects oocyte and sperm quality, reduces your fertility, increases risks of miscarriage, pregnancy complications and results in smaller babies
• Smoking speeds up your reproductive clock by 10 years and is associated with early menopause
• Women who smoke are only 60% as likely to conceive as non-smokers
• Smoking affects your unborn baby and may have long-lasting effects on your child such as cancer and heart disease

Alcohol

• Women should stop drinking when trying to conceive but 5 standard drinks a week is the maximum if this is not possible
• Men should not have more than 10 standard drinks a week

Illicit drugs

• Marijuana, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy and ice have detrimental effects on sperm and egg quality
• They also have serious effects to unborn children
• The use of illicit drugs should be stopped at least 3 months prior to conception

Caffeine

• Limit your intake
• No more that 2 cups of coffee, 2 glasses of cola or 2-3 teas a day

Exercise

• Maintain a healthy exercise program to help reduce stress
• Pregnant women should avoid raising their pulse above 120

Medication safety check:

• Many medications including blood pressure medications can be unsafe to use when pregnant
• Check with your doctor who can help you find an alternative

Get in early:

Don’t be afraid to get an early referral to a fertility specialist especially if;

• You are over 35
• You have a history of endometriosis, pelvic infection ovarian cysts or ruptured appendicitis
• Your cycles are irregular
• You have a family history of early menopause (before 35)
• You suffer from pain with intercourse or have issues having intercourse