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Have a healthy baby after. Genetics of the birth of a sick child. Why is planning a pregnancy important?

HIV infection introduces a large number of restrictions into the lifestyle of those who are ill, and can harm the health of future babies. HIV and pregnancy - are they compatible? Do not lose sight of the seriousness of the possible consequences in such a situation, however, there is a chance to become the mother of a full-fledged baby.

How to give birth to a healthy child to an HIV-infected woman? This is not an easy task. To achieve the goal, it is necessary to combine the efforts of the obstetrician, infectious disease specialist and the patient herself.

The human immunodeficiency virus is a gradually developing disease characterized by a chronic form of the course. The disease causes damage to the immune system, central nervous system and other organ systems with the subsequent development of AIDS. The thermal stage of the disease inevitably leads the patient to death.

Attention! A blood test for HIV is given by any pregnant woman when registering at a antenatal clinic.

How can a child be infected?

Can an HIV patient have children? How will this affect the woman and the child?

If the patient knows about the ongoing disease, she should not assume that HIV during pregnancy will lead to a deterioration in her well-being. Unpleasant consequences often arise due to the development of secondary ailments and bad habits of a woman. The virus does not adversely affect the development of the fetus, the main danger is the possibility of infection of the baby during childbirth.

The infection is transmitted from a sick mother to a child in three ways:

  • during the period of gestation (intrauterine);
  • during childbirth of a woman with HIV infection;
  • when breastfeeding.

Children born from HIV-infected mothers who do not take any measures to prevent infection of the baby are born sick in 30% of cases. If you start appropriate therapy during pregnancy, the chance of infection of the child is 2-3%.

Thus, children born to HIV-infected mothers are likely to be healthy.

Diagnosis of HIV during pregnancy

An analysis for HIV infection during pregnancy belongs to the group of mandatory measures. How many times during pregnancy is this test used? Ideally, women planning a pregnancy donate blood for HIV 4 times:

  • when planning a child;
  • when registering;
  • in the third trimester;
  • after childbirth.

You can take an HIV test during pregnancy at any time if a woman for some reason has not previously donated blood.


Blood tests for the virus in patients during pregnancy are taken from a vein. In some cases, an HIV test may be false positive. Such a result of the examination in the case of pregnant women is observed quite often.

The reaction to an imaginary virus with a false positive result can be explained by the presence of chronic ailments in the expectant mother. In addition, paternal DNA enters the woman's body, which acts as a virus for the immune system - the amount of antibodies produced in this case is the reason for a positive reaction.

virus and pregnancy

Let's say a married couple is planning a pregnancy in the presence of HIV infection in the blood of one or both partners. What are the characteristics of such a case? Will pregnancy increase the intensity of the symptoms of the disease? And finally, how to prevent infection of the child?

What is the danger of pregnancy for a woman?

At what price will a sick woman have healthy children? How dangerous is pregnancy for an HIV-infected woman?

HIV in pregnant women manifests itself similarly to the symptoms of the disease in healthy women. However, the double effect of weakening the immune system of an HIV-infected patient during childbearing should be taken into account.

Firstly, the body of the expectant mother "slows down" immunity to prevent rejection of the embryo, and secondly, the developing disease naturally destroys the protective function of the woman's body.

Under such circumstances, the risk of developing and acquiring complicated forms of concomitant ailments increases, which the expectant mother cannot avoid.

The body of a pregnant woman is supported by traditional highly active antiretroviral therapy, which is carried out throughout pregnancy (from the third month), a few weeks before the birth, the pregnant woman is admitted to the hospital.


Can an HIV-infected woman give birth to an absolutely healthy child: expert opinion

An HIV-infected patient can have a healthy baby. It is possible for infected women to give birth, because the achievements of modern medical science can reduce the risk of infection of a child born or developing in the womb.

However, it should be noted that the risk of having a sick baby increases slightly in pregnant women with a late stage of the disease, as well as those who have a high viral load against the background of a weakened immune system.

The risk of infection of the baby also depends on the method of delivery. In the case of a sick woman in labor, it is possible to perform natural childbirth (with a viral load of not more than 1000 in 1 μl), however, in order to minimize the risk of infection, abdominal surgery is used.

What care does a mother need during pregnancy?

In most cases, HIV infection in pregnant women does not cause any problems. They need the same prenatal care throughout their pregnancy as healthy expectant mothers. There is no evidence that counseling of ill women should occur more frequently than usual (except in cases with complications).

Starting from the second trimester of pregnancy, patients are prescribed specific therapy.

Complications

An HIV-infected pregnant woman may face a number of complications in the process of bearing (birth) a child. So, if a positive HIV test result turned out to be not false, a woman should prepare for premature birth from the first months of pregnancy.

Another obvious consequence of the development of the virus is AIDS, which burdens pregnancy with all sorts of pathologies. A special place in this list of diseases is given to diseases of a viral, fungal, bacterial nature. These diseases, depending on the general condition of the body, in pregnant women often have a complicated course.

And finally, the main complication of HIV-infected pregnancy is the transmission of the virus to the child in the womb, during the birth of a baby by caesarean section or after surgery (natural childbirth) while breastfeeding.

Problems of conception in HIV-positive parents

The possibility of having a healthy child in infected parents (or one of them), as we found out earlier, is quite high. However, such couples often face various difficulties. The process of conception in HIV-positive parents requires special attention, and newborn care is not carried out in the usual way.

Couples in which only one partner is sick during intercourse must use a barrier means of protection - a condom. To protect a healthy partner when conceiving a child, there are also special methods and recommendations.

Important!“Special couples” are concerned about the possibility of having a child in traditional conditions. Where do HIV-infected people give birth? Each maternity hospital provides special blocks for this class of women in labor - here all the necessary manipulations are carried out, which are necessary during childbirth and during the recovery period.

If both partners are positive

The main danger in the case of HIV-positive status (the presence of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) of both sexual partners is the effect of infection on the fetus, i.e. infection of the child. There is also a risk of transmission through contact with a partner of therapy-resistant varieties of the virus.

Before becoming pregnant, a woman and a man should undergo a complete examination, consult with specialists to determine the risk of negative viral exposure to the fetus.

If the mother is infected

If a woman was not infected from the future father of the child, there is a fact of the need to protect the body of a man from infection. To eliminate the risk of partner infection during pregnancy planning with HIV-positive status, women prefer self-insemination. For this purpose, the seminal fluid is collected in a container, the expectant mother uses it on days favorable for conception as intended.

When the first signs of pregnancy appear, the patient should consult a doctor for further registration and management of pregnancy.

Among pregnant women there may be those who are completely healthy and want to have a child from a sick man. How to be in such a situation? What did people come up with to protect mother and baby? Let's move on to the next point.

If the father is infected

Are healthy children born from sick fathers? We will immediately dispel doubts: a woman can have a healthy baby from an infected father.

In such a situation, a high risk of infection of a woman is obvious. To minimize the likelihood of partner infection, firstly, a young man should not neglect a condom during sexual intercourse. Unprotected sex under such conditions is permissible only on fertile days. This measure will not only protect the woman, but also allow her to conceive, reducing the risk of infection of the child with HIV infection of the father.

The second option is the purification of sperm by the separation method (separation of dead spermatozoa from living ones). The disadvantage of such a procedure is its high cost, as well as the possibility of using it only if there is a sufficient concentration of healthy spermatozoa in the patient's seminal fluid.

As mentioned earlier, a child can become infected when he is born into the world. How not to infect a newborn during childbirth, we will describe below.

Prevention of infection in the newborn

With HIV-positive status, the expectant mother needs to know and follow a number of recommendations:

  • follow all medical instructions. Timely examination, regular visits to the attending physician;
  • eat right and lead a healthy lifestyle. Such an approach is part of the prevention of complications in HIV infection, as well as a guarantee of ensuring the normal development of the fetus;
  • observe preventive measures to prevent premature birth. Premature babies have an increased risk of infection;
  • treat chronic diseases and acute diseases;
  • plan a caesarean section at 38 weeks. The decision to perform the operation is made by the clinic specialist;
  • stop breastfeeding. The milk of a sick mother contains a virus. An adapted milk formula is used as an alternative.
  • adhere to prescribed antiretroviral therapy.


How to protect a child from the virus after birth

A child born to a sick woman is prescribed special drugs to prevent infection, regardless of the specifics of the woman's treatment during pregnancy.

Therapy begins 8 hours after the end of labor. Until this moment, the effect of the remedy that the mother took continues. Of great importance is the time interval between the birth of the baby and the first dose of the drug. No more than 72 hours should have passed since the end of childbirth. Otherwise, the pathogen will attach to the patient's cells.

For young children, a liquid form of the drug is provided. They are introduced through the mouth. The following drugs are used: Azidothymidine and Nevirapine (at a dosage calculated by a specialist).

Over the next 18 months, such children are registered. The reason for deregistration of a child may be: the absence of antibodies to the virus, hypogammaglobulinemia and symptoms of the disease.

Each infected woman has the right to decide for herself how much she needs a baby, even if the child has a high risk of contracting the virus. The main thing is that the decision made should be balanced and thoughtful.

One of the most fateful and important events in the family is the birth of a child. Many fears haunt future parents from the moment of preparation for conception to the birth itself. They all want their baby to be born healthy, happy, strong and smart. But modern environmental conditions, a large number of stresses and hereditary diseases raise a big question for parents - how to give birth and raise a healthy child? This topic is especially acute when what risks a mother takes after 35 years and how to minimize them - more in the article.

Late Pregnancy Risks

Of course, today the average age of women giving birth has dropped significantly. It falls on the period from 25 to 32 years. But still, the expectant mother after 35 is considered old-bearing. What problems does this promise to the child and the woman in labor?

First, our body, unfortunately, tends to wear out. With age, more and more chronic diseases appear, perhaps there are consequences from sexually transmitted diseases. For some, it is also an aborted early pregnancy.

Secondly, the female uterus is no longer as capable of bearing as at the age of 25-30 years.

Thirdly, according to statistics, old-bearing women more often have children with chromosomal abnormalities. 70% of children with Down syndrome were born to mothers over 35 years old.

Fourthly, these are frequent complications during gestation, difficult pregnancy, toxicosis, premature discharge of amniotic fluid, weak labor, the need for a caesarean course.

In addition, there may be problems with lactation, the development of the child.

In general, there are countless difficulties, but there are also many examples when, after 35 years, healthy and happy babies were born. The conclusion from the foregoing is that the first late pregnancy must be planned, before it occurs, a woman must undergo a thorough full consultation with a doctor. So, after 35 years?

Pregnancy planning

To avoid many problems with the health and development of the child, an early medical examination of the father and especially the mother will allow. How to give birth and raise a healthy child? Komarovsky advises first to determine the hereditary genetic risks that may arise during late pregnancy. To do this, both parents must visit a geneticist who will conduct a blood test for the balance of the chromosome set. If the chromosomes of the mother and father do not match, if the woman has a risk of defective offspring, the doctor will report after the examination.

The second step is a woman's visit to a gynecologist, who will do all the necessary tests and smears for sexual diseases, toxoplasmosis, hepatitis B and C and some others, check for breast cancer, and do an ultrasound. If any diseases and abnormalities are identified, they must be dealt with before pregnancy occurs. It is good if the father also undergoes a complete examination by a urologist and a venereologist.

And of course, the main thing you need to give birth to a healthy child is a healthy lifestyle for both parents, a complete early cessation of smoking and alcohol, physical health, sports, outdoor activities and proper nutrition.

Conception

There is a lot of scientific and non-scientific advice on how to successfully conceive a baby.

First, you should adhere to the cycle of menstruation. The most suitable time for conception is ovulation (12-14 days after the start of the cycle). You can determine it either by your own well-being (strong discharge, sometimes bloody, pain in the lower abdomen, strong sexual desire), or use more accurate means, such as, for example, ovulation tests.

Secondly, you should remain calm both during intercourse and after, when you are waiting for the result. Scientists have proven that it is not the posture that affects the positive result. After the act, you should also not run, jump or lie with your legs up to the ceiling. It is enough just to lie on your back for 20-30 minutes, this position is considered the most favorable for the sperm to reach the walls of the uterus.

Thirdly, continuous sexual intercourse during ovulation does not increase, but rather reduces the chances of getting pregnant, since sperm after several ejaculations loses its rudimentary properties. It is best to accurately calibrate ovulation and try during it.

Pregnancy: first steps

As soon as a woman finds out that she will become a mother, first unbridled joy arises in her head, and then fears appear: how to give birth and raise a healthy child? Yes, she knows that she is completely healthy and prepared for pregnancy, but will everything go well at such a mature age?

Don't panic. First of all, because it can adversely affect pregnancy.

Having done a test or determined a delay in yourself, the first thing you should do is visit a gynecologist. He will do tests and conduct an ultrasound, thereby confirming the pregnancy and its term. Then he will register you for pregnancy, get a medical record, collect an anamnesis and send you to go through many, many doctors, from a dentist to a surgeon. This will allow you to once again check whether everything is in order with your health.

Also, the gynecologist is obliged to advise you about nutrition and your behavior during pregnancy. For example, in the first weeks, doctors do not recommend playing sports and even having sex, because the egg has not yet fixed on the walls of the uterus and your activity can lead to a miscarriage. Therefore, in the first trimester, a woman in position should be as calm as possible, relaxed, should not worry and be nervous.

Pregnancy: nutrition and vitamins

A gynecologist, explaining to you how to give birth and raise a healthy child, will have to prescribe a course of vitamins. In the early stages, it is vitamin D and folic acid. Further, magnesium B 6, iodine, calcium and others will be added to this list. The doctor will prescribe them himself in accordance with the course of pregnancy and the need. It is not worth buying and taking vitamin complexes without consultation.

As for nutrition, in the first 2 trimesters, you can eat almost everything that your body requires, with the exception of alcohol, excess coffee and strong tea, carbonated drinks, raw meat and fish, preservatives and chemicals, stale foods.

Listen to your body, it will tell you exactly what to eat.

Pregnancy: rest and sleep

One of the main things you need to endure and give birth to a healthy baby is proper rest and sleep. The psychological state of the mother also depends on this. Treat pregnancy like a vacation before a difficult year of sleepless nights, whims and children's tears. This is your chance to relax, so do not load yourself with tiring work, get enough sleep, spend more time in the fresh air, take your time and enjoy this serene time.

Physical activity, if there is no indication from a doctor, should not be minimized. For example, a pool and leisurely walking will help prepare the muscles for future childbirth. Do not run, jump, lift heavy objects, or hold your arms up for long periods of time.

Do not forget about positive emotions, because the baby feels and understands everything inside. And if you're upset or agitated, he feels the same emotions.

Prevention of deviations

What to do to give birth Rest, sleep, eat tasty and healthy food, do not be nervous. The rest should be entrusted to doctors. You should not worry about possible deviations of the child, since the gynecologist will see you every month and monitor the progress of the pregnancy. For 9 months of waiting, you will find multiple blood and urine tests, 3 ultrasounds, consultations of various kinds of doctors - a general practitioner, surgeon, ophthalmologist, neuropathologist, dentist and others. If any problems arise, you will be informed about it, so wind yourself up less and do not be nervous.

childbirth

If you think that the issue of carrying a pregnancy is the most important, then you are mistaken. This is important, but even more important is the question of how to give birth and raise a healthy child.

Childbirth is a big stress for both the baby and the mother, especially after 35 years. Most likely, a caesarean section awaits you, because the woman's labor activity during this period is already weak. But even such an operation should not be feared, because many mothers go through this for various reasons.

It will be better if you both mentally and practically prepare. Attend courses for moms, trainings on breathing, behavior during contractions, attempts, etc.

Remember that with the right approach, you greatly increase your chances of having a healthy and happy baby.

Any person who is expecting a child dreams that he was born healthy. Unfortunately, these dreams do not always come true. Nothing can be done - even crumbs are prone to serious illnesses, to say nothing of all sorts of congenital diseases and disorders.

Many of them can be prevented by averting trouble from the long-awaited baby long before his appearance. And it is his parents who will have to take care of this first of all - as soon as they plan an heir.

Preparation for pregnancy begins even before conception, and it is a pity that many people neglect this. The modern way of life leads people to overload of the cardiovascular and nervous systems, chronic stress, irrational nutrition and physical inactivity.

Few people closely monitor their health, not noticing alarming symptoms for the time being; having many diseases in a latent or chronic form, you can affect the health of the unborn child in a bad way. This is especially true for residents of metropolitan areas. Huge cities, in terms of ecology, are not the best place to live.

Some rely on their own health, age, hoping that everything will work out and so - nature will help. Helps, but not always. Often, human nature is simply not able to cope on its own with the grave consequences of all sorts of shocks and stresses that are falling in our time on the life of an ordinary average person.

When planning an upcoming pregnancy, you should try to eliminate possible violations and deviations - not only in the external environment, but also in the state of health of both parents. There is no need to be ashamed of the examination before pregnancy, the main thing is to take care of the future little man.

First of all, the expectant mother should consult a gynecologist; Most likely, the spouse will also have an interview. In some cases, consultation with other specialists is required - it is important to assess the heredity of potential parents and assess their physical condition.

The greatest attention, of course, is paid to the well-being and health of the expectant mother. She will have to see a gynecologist, check for oncological diseases - an examination of the mammary and thyroid glands, a smear. The usual examination certainly complements the ultrasound, which is prescribed in the initial phase of the menstrual cycle.

Infections that threaten the fetus

A number of infections that can infect both mother and father often have a latent course and are the main cause of fetal damage, death, and the appearance of various deformities. Many diseases occur in a latent form, threatening to cause congenital diseases of the fetus.

All microorganisms and viruses are divided into unconditional pathogens that cause infection of the fetus, and conditional, whose pathological effect has not yet been proven.

More often the cause of the disease are viruses (cytomegalovirus infection, herpes simplex, rubella, hepatitis C and B, enteroviruses, adenoviruses, HIV); bacteria (treponema, streptococcus, klebsiella, chlamydia, listeria, staphylococcus); protozoa (toxoplasma, malaria, plasmodia); Candida mushrooms. Detection of microorganisms in the fetus does not necessarily cause the development of the disease, but increases the risk of possible negative effects. Even a woman who has been ill during pregnancy can have a completely healthy baby.

From mother to fetus, the infection is transmitted either through the genital tract or through the placenta. To infect a child, it is not enough to have an infection in the mother's body; there must be a large number of microorganisms; this happens with an acute infection or with a sharp exacerbation of a chronic one. But in this case, the child does not necessarily get sick.

Chickenpox

When in childhood we heard that it is better to get sick with other diseases before growing up, it was not very clear what we were talking about. But faced with pregnancy, many understand that this opinion is not without logic.

There are infectious diseases that occur almost harmlessly in childhood, but for pregnant women they turn out to be very dangerous. The disease transferred in childhood is accompanied by the production of antibodies, making the body immune to the pathogen and eliminating the possibility of infection in adulthood, especially during pregnancy.

Among other infections, chickenpox is potentially the least dangerous. It should be emphasized - less dangerous, but not completely safe. Firstly, this disease cannot go unnoticed, and a person almost always knows for sure whether he had chickenpox in childhood. Secondly, chickenpox is a childhood disease in 90% of cases.

Thirdly, its course is characterized by a low risk of embryo damage. Chicken pox becomes a disease dangerous for pregnancy if it occurs before twenty weeks of pregnancy, as well as before or after childbirth immediately.

But this does not mean that at other times chickenpox is not a reason to see a doctor. The risk may always exist, and only a qualified specialist can determine how best to minimize it.

Rubella

The rubella virus for a pregnant woman is considered the most dangerous: most often it is transmitted to the fetus and causes irreversible damage. Often congenital rubella is the cause of heart disease, cataracts and deafness. Sometimes pneumonia develops, blood disorders, physical underdevelopment is possible. The most dangerous infection in the early stages - the likelihood of congenital deformities is high.

The causative agent is transmitted by airborne droplets, the source of infection is sick children; the expectant mother should avoid such contacts. Infection requires fairly close and prolonged contact with a sick person, such as sharing a room or caring for a sick person.

But a strong immunity is developed to the disease, so if a mother had rubella in childhood or was vaccinated, she may not be afraid of infection. In other cases, it is better to take a blood test for the presence of antibodies to the pathogen.

If pregnancy is planned in advance, then a vaccination is given months before conception, followed by a check for the presence of antibodies confirming the formation of immunity. And another characteristic feature of the course of the disease in pregnant women is that infection in the second half of pregnancy, after 20 weeks, has practically no negative effect on the baby.

Cytomegalovirus

It is considered the second most dangerous infection among those transmitted by airborne droplets and sexually. The worst option is infection of a pregnant woman from a sick person with an acute form, because the absence of antibodies in her body allows viruses to freely cross the placenta and affect the fetus.

If a woman was infected with the virus before conception, and during pregnancy the disease worsened, the antibodies present significantly weaken the virus, preventing it from entering the fetus. When infected in the early stages, the likelihood of developmental anomalies or spontaneous miscarriage increases. At a later date, polyhydramnios, "congenital cytomegaly" may develop, and premature birth is possible. The baby will have jaundice, enlarged spleen and liver, anemia, damage to the hearing, eyes and central nervous system. The best preventive measure is to avoid contact with infected and sick people.

Herpes

The herpes virus, among other viral infections, is considered the least dangerous due to the fact that the probability of infection of the baby or the appearance of certain pathologies is low. A serious situation is an exacerbation of genital herpes in a future mother after 32 weeks. If the presence of the disease is confirmed by doctors, a caesarean section is indicated, which excludes the possibility of infection of the baby in the birth canal. To be calm on this score, at the beginning of pregnancy it does not hurt to be tested for the presence of the herpes virus.

Flu

Everyone knows about the dangers of the flu, and infecting a future mother with it can cause quite serious consequences. It is no longer the pathogen itself that is dangerous, but the complications of the immune system, kidneys and heart caused by it. In addition, the disease is fraught with premature birth or threatened miscarriage. After the flu, it is easier to catch a staph or pneumococcal infection.

Influenza has the most severe impact on the early stages of embryo development - in the first trimester. It is during this period that the main laying and initial development of the most important systems and organs of the fetus takes place. The conclusion suggests itself - to increase the immunity of the expectant mother, hardening, good nutrition and vitamins are recommended.

Toxoplasmosis

The greatest danger of bacterial infections is toxoplasmosis, which can be contracted through contaminated meat or contact with a sick cat. If a woman had been ill before pregnancy, she received lifelong immunity. The danger of toxoplasmosis grows in parallel with the increase in the term. Infection in the first trimester is unlikely to cause pathology; in the second, the possibility of a congenital disease increases by 20% - numerous pathogens accumulate in the tissues of the brain and nervous system of the fetus.

The frequent consequences of such a lesion are increased intracranial pressure, epilepsy, mental retardation and blindness. In the last trimester, the probability of the disease is 50-60%. As a preventive measure, expectant mothers are advised to eat well-processed meat and avoid contact with cats.

Other infections

Diseases such as thrush, or candidiasis, mycoplasmosis, gardenellosis, trichomonas, listeriosis and chlamydia can pose a real threat to both mother and fetus. A severe course of the disease can cause spontaneous miscarriage and lead to stillbirth. Timely diagnosis and proper treatment suppress the infection without leaving the slightest trace of it. The main thing is to take the prescribed tests in a timely manner and obey the doctor in everything.

Prevention of deviations in the baby

If a couple has already had unsuccessful pregnancies and various problems that led to premature birth, miscarriages or the birth of sick babies, it needs a thorough examination. It should include detailed analyzes, ultrasound at certain stages of the menstrual cycle (to determine the state of the endometrium), a consultation with a geneticist.

With the onset of pregnancy, studies and consultations are necessary even for a completely healthy woman - they will help to identify possible deviations and disorders. Even with a weekly delay in menstruation, the size of the fetal egg and its position in the uterus can be determined using ultrasound.

In about a couple of weeks, the expectant mother will have a comprehensive examination, including a visit to the therapist, otolaryngologist and dentist. A mandatory next ultrasound is prescribed for a period of 10-12 weeks and serves to exclude obvious violations in the development of the embryo.

If you suspect the presence of chromosomal abnormalities (especially if the age of the potential parents is above 35 years), a genetic analysis can be performed - a chorion biopsy. This method allows in the shortest possible time to reliably exclude certain severe disorders or diseases of the unborn child.

From 20 weeks of pregnancy, using ultrasound, you can directly monitor the condition of the fetus: during the procedure, its organs are clearly visible, the amount of amniotic fluid, the condition of the placenta, the quality of blood flow in the umbilical cord and uterine vessels, and other important indicators are determined.

Pregnancy and lifestyle

In planning pregnancy, not only the health of the unborn child and parents is important. Not later than 2 months before the intended conception, parents should begin to prevent probable deviations and disorders - just during this time, the entire “reserve” of spermatozoa is completely renewed in men.

You should try to avoid overwork and stress, beware of "accidental" diseases and colds, exclude alcohol and, if possible, stop smoking. Taking medications should be agreed with the doctor, with the exception of drugs that are contraindicated for pregnant women.

The expectant mother should lead a proper lifestyle and follow a diet: eat vegetables and fruits, meat and fish, cottage cheese and dairy products. They are indispensable sources of protein and calcium so necessary for the baby. They are necessary for the full formation of the fetus, bones of the skeleton and teeth, as well as to replenish the losses of the female body and to maintain the health of a woman.

It is better to limit flour dishes and sweets - excess weight adversely affects the course of pregnancy. Various sodas, strong tea and coffee, which have an increased load on the cardiovascular system, will not benefit. It is better to replace them with healthy fruit drinks and fruit juices, and remove unnecessary gases from mineral water.

Physical activity should be moderate and planned; special complexes have been developed to preserve the health of both the child and the mother, as well as to prepare for childbirth. Swimming in an indoor pool is useful - it prepares the muscles of the pelvis, back and abdomen for the upcoming loads. In the pools, there are groups of special health-improving exercises for pregnant women, and their own complexes have been developed for different periods.

Swimming in natural reservoirs is better to limit or even leave for later - the possibility of catching an infection in one of them is too great. Reasonable caution is necessary, physical activity should be alternated with rest. The expectant mother should eat wholesome and varied food, regularly consult and be examined by a doctor - then the pregnancy will proceed without complications, and the child will be born on time and healthy.

The pregnancy planning stage is extremely important, but not all couples go through it properly. Often, all important tests begin to give up after the onset of pregnancy. If, according to their results, infections threatening pregnancy are found, you can not self-medicate. It is not dangerous for pregnant women, but here it can cause disastrous consequences. The doctor leading the pregnancy must prescribe competent and adequate treatment that can minimize possible risks.

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Pregnancy planning is not an empty phrase, but a whole group of activities that parents must go through if they want to give birth to a healthy child in the future. It consists of many procedures carried out in order to examine the health of a married couple, their correct lifestyle and good nutrition.

First of all, pregnancy planning is guarding the detection and subsequent elimination of all kinds of risks for the child.

How to properly prepare for pregnancy? Which doctors should be visited? What infections should be dealt with first of all? About this and much more - in our today's article.

When to start preparing?

It is best if future parents begin to prepare for the upcoming pregnancy a year before conception. Of course, not all couples have so much time for this, which is due to the great desire to give birth to a baby as soon as possible.

That is why preparation should be started at least 3 months before the couple planned to conceive a child. This period is quite capable of protecting the baby from potential dangers.

Where to start?

It is best to start with psychological preparation: future parents should be aware that a child is a responsible step and it is extremely important to really understand its significance.

If their family already has children, then it is necessary to prepare the kids for the appearance of a brother or sister, and also to determine who can help the parents in raising the unborn child.

Proper nutrition

It is very important during this period to choose the right diet - the basis for the birth of a healthy child.

  1. A married couple needs to eat a lot of vegetables and fruits, lean on fish and meat dishes, eat cottage cheese and dairy products.
  2. A woman needs to eat sweets and baked goods as little as possible so as not to gain excess weight before pregnancy. If you really want something sweet, you can replace sugar with fructose or honey. The presence of salt in food should also be limited.
  3. You should not drink tea or coffee, but it is better to switch to drinking plenty of juices and fruit drinks or drink bottled spring water.

  1. The nutrition of the expectant mother should be based on natural products, which should be consumed little by little, but in no case should you overeat - just like starving.

Physical training

In order to keep fit, a woman needs to play sports. Daily performance of some exercises helps the expectant mother to bear the baby without any problems, to be born safely and as soon as possible after that to take the desired forms.

In addition, moderate physical fitness helps in the fight against varicose veins, prevents the formation of stretch marks and tears, strengthens muscles and takes care of the condition of the hips and pelvis.

Taking vitamins

How good it would be if a woman received all the vitamins important for health while eating! However, the reality is that at the preparation stage, she must take vitamins from the “box” without fail.

After all, the body of a future mother, as a rule, is depleted by all kinds of diets, and her health is deteriorating due to smoking and the environment.

What do you need to know?

When choosing vitamins, you should not consult with girlfriends or neighbors about this. Medicines and various dietary supplements are also not the best choice for women planning a pregnancy soon. And their reception is possible only when the gynecologist or therapist insists on it.

An exception may be folic acid - it is recommended to take it to all expectant mothers, since it reduces the risk of possible defects in the development of the baby's brain. As a rule, acid is used as an addition to the vitamin complex that a doctor recommends to a woman.

What kind of doctors do you need to go through?

Gynecologist

First of all, a woman should visit a gynecologist. This is necessary in order for him to determine the presence of possible gynecological diseases, find out the stability of the cycle and take smears for the vaginal microflora and infections.

Therapist

An appointment with a therapist is necessary for an in-depth examination of both parents. This doctor determines how their health can be corrected and what this will require: the necessary treatment, recommendations for nutrition and physical activity.

If such a need arises, the therapist sends future parents (and mother, first of all) to narrow profile doctors.

Endocrinologist

Without his examination, preparation for birth also cannot be considered complete. He will prescribe hormone tests for the woman, showing exactly how the bearing of a healthy child will take place.

Dentist

Since the baby "takes" a lot of calcium from the mother, causing the teeth to begin to break down, a visit to the dentist becomes a mandatory procedure in preparation for pregnancy. After all, caries is a problem not so much of an aesthetic plan as an infectious one.

In the process of gestation, there is a high probability of transmitting this infection to the child.

Analyzes required for planning

During the planning period, a woman is usually assigned the following types of studies:

  • UAC and OAM;
  • analysis that determines the blood group;
  • scraping from the cervix and its cytology;
  • three types of ultrasound;
  • tests for HIV, syphilis, gonococci, etc.;
  • coli, staphylococcus aureus;
  • blood clotting test.

Other tests the doctor prescribes, in cases where:

  1. The woman has already had a miscarriage or experienced a missed pregnancy.
  2. The expectant mother took antibiotics.
  3. She already had an abortion.
  4. The closest relatives of the couple suffer from genetic disorders.

What should be the preparation of the future father?

How to give birth to a healthy child? Preparing for pregnancy and childbirth is important not only for the mother, but for the father. He is obliged to join a normal lifestyle, exclude alcohol and cigarettes from the diet, eat well and get enough sleep.

In addition, the future dad must undergo a medical examination, in which he will pass a spermogram, be examined for the presence of hereditary diseases and possible infections, and also find out his blood type and Rh factor.

Possible infections: what are they?

Infections that affect expectant parents usually work in a latent "mode". However, it is they who subsequently become the cause of the possible appearance of congenital deformities in the infant.

Of course, not every microorganism found in the blood of future parents causes the abnormal development of their child. However, no one wants to risk the health of the fetus, therefore, before conception and during pregnancy, it is better to protect yourself from any type of infection as much as possible.

How can infection be transmitted to an unborn baby?

It is transmitted in two ways:

  • with blood directly through the placenta;
  • through infected genital tract.

Flu

Very often, women do not pay much attention to the fact that they can get the flu during pregnancy. However, the danger is not so much the virus as its complications, expressed in the burden on the kidneys and malfunctions in the immune system. All this can lead to miscarriage or premature birth.

Let's say more: it is after the flu that a woman, especially a pregnant woman, becomes an “object of attention” for pneumococci or staphylococci. Therefore, it is very important not to lose sight of this and strengthen the immune system by all available means.

Rubella

This is the most dangerous infectious disease, in which it is quite easy to catch it at the 5th week of pregnancy, but it is highly undesirable. It is this period that becomes the cornerstone in relation to the development of the future child, because rubella is an irreversible consequence leading to abortion and death of the child.

But if the expectant mother has already had rubella or she was vaccinated at one time, she may not worry about the health of the little one, because she has a powerful immunity to the disease.

For other women, it would be better for rubella prevention to be vaccinated against it two to three months before they plan to become pregnant, and then to control the process of immunity formation by taking tests during pregnancy itself.

Cytomegalovirus

It is also extremely dangerous for a newborn, and the worst thing is if a woman becomes infected with it through contact with a sick person.

If this happened in the early stages of pregnancy, the infection will become a threat of miscarriage or the appearance of various anomalies in the fetus. "Joined" to a woman later, cytomegalovirus can provoke premature birth or the appearance of its congenital form in an infant.

The best prevention against infection before and during pregnancy is not to contact in any way with people who have this infection in an acute stage.

Toxoplasmosis

An infection that poses a serious threat to the health of the mother and her child. As a rule, infection occurs after a woman cuddles a cute kitten with toxoplasmosis. However, if she previously had this infection, immunity to it remains in her body for the rest of her life.

For all other mothers, the danger grows along with the timing, and if infection is not dangerous in the first trimester, then:

  • on the second, the child has a chance of acquiring congenital toxoplasmosis (20%), affecting the eyes and central nervous system;
  • in the third trimester, the risk of infection rises to 60% of cases, and infection can lead to increased intracranial pressure, mental retardation, and even epilepsy.

Herpes

The probability of contracting herpes is rather small, and its exacerbation deserves serious attention if it happened at the 32nd week of gestation.

Other infections

It can be thrush, mycoplasmosis, chlamydia and other infections that, in severe form, increase the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth.

Only timely diagnosis and competent treatment will help not only to suppress them in the bud, but also to do it in advance - even before a woman becomes pregnant.

What do women need to know after 35?

Late childbirth, which occurs between the ages of 35 and 45, is a series of difficulties that accompany women from the very moment of conception. At this age, it is often difficult for women to become pregnant and bear a healthy child, especially if they have previously suffered a number of infectious diseases or had abortions.

Age from 35 to 40 years is often accompanied by a decrease in the level of blood clotting, which is most dangerous in difficult childbirth, or, on the contrary, the formation of blood clots. In addition, babies in women of the age category after 35 are quite often born with low weight.

How can you protect your baby and yourself?

If a lady decides to get pregnant after 35, she needs to know that keeping herself in good physical shape and taking care of her health is the main key to success in the field of childbearing.

The best solution would be to attend preparatory courses, which both future parents should be like at once. It is also worth finding a good specialist in advance who will guide the woman during gestation.

Do not panic if he suddenly begins to dissuade a lady from pregnancy: the anxiety associated with late childbirth is natural, but this does not mean that giving birth after 35 is prohibited by law or medicine.

Examination of couples at risk

Any disease, whether it is in the active stage or is hidden, can harm both the baby and his mother. Therefore, it is extremely important not only to determine its presence, but also to cure it in advance, before pregnancy.

In the case when the future parents have a clear problem with conception, or the woman has already had unsuccessful pregnancies that led to miscarriages or the birth of a sick child, the couple needs to undergo a thorough examination by doctors.

In this case, special attention will need to be paid to analyzes, appointments with a geneticist and ultrasound at different times.

If the doctor observing the couple suspects the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in the mother's body, which often affect women after 35, he may suggest that future parents take a chorion biopsy. This examination excludes a number of serious diseases and some serious disorders in the development of the baby.

When is the help of a geneticist needed?

A genetic consultation is necessary if:

  • the presence of a hereditary disease in future parents;
  • the couple has a child who has already developed the disease;
  • the expectant mother is over 35 years old;
  • the wife moved to ARVI or took medication in the early stages;
  • future parents are close relatives of each other;
  • pregnancies that a woman had led to a miscarriage or stillbirth.

7 rules for a healthy lifestyle (before and during pregnancy)

No stress

Future parents should avoid any stressful situations, overwork at work and at home, colds and viruses. It is best to eradicate the habit of drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes.

moderate sport

Before and during pregnancy, it will be beneficial for a woman to switch to moderate physical activity in order to keep herself in good shape. You should not remove them completely, because playing sports with a low load is extremely beneficial for health and well-being.

Swimming

It's great if future parents love to swim and decide to sign up for the pool! Swimming has a beneficial effect on overall health and strengthens muscles.

Women who are in the “after 40” group should not neglect this sport and be sure to go to water aerobics groups, but it’s better for them not to swim in the river or in lakes, as this increases the risk of contracting some kind of infection.

No extra loads

Women in position are forbidden to work at night and lift weights. Also, during pregnancy, you can not use foot sewing machines or travel by bike, make sudden movements and come into contact with hazardous substances.

Daily regime

A pregnant lady must walk a lot, saturating her lungs with oxygen, in order to subsequently give birth to a healthy baby. At the same time, she is supposed to sleep at least eight hours a day, and goes to bed no later than 11 pm.

It is best if the bed where the expectant mother sleeps is comfortable, but not very soft. Doctors believe that during pregnancy she should sleep on her back or on her right side.

Sex

Having sex during pregnancy is not prohibited, but it is better to leave them for a more favorable period: after the 1st trimester, if the lady has previously experienced miscarriages or became pregnant for the first time.

Also, it is better not to have sex in the last 2 months for women who give birth not for the first time, but in the past they did it by surgery.

Finally, during pregnancy, you need to get plenty of rest, eat well, and be examined by a doctor in order to give birth to a strong child and become a truly happy parent!

Any person who has already become a parent or is just waiting for this joyful event wants one thing more than anything else - to baby was born healthy. However, this wish does not always come true. What to do - and the smallest kids are prone to serious ailments, and I don’t even want to talk about the possibility of any congenital disorders and diseases. But it is necessary! After all, many of them can be warned, taken away from a small fragile creature long before it is born! And future parents should worry about this in advance - as soon as they decide to "have a baby."

But swimming in open water, unfortunately, will have to be limited - in most of them the risk of catching an infection is too high. Exercise reasonable care, combine activity with rest, eat right, get regular check-ups and consult a doctor - in this case, everything will go well and your baby will be born healthy!

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