Having a healthy pregnancy depends on the behaviors and habits of the mother-to-be. This process is a period in women's lives where normal life is out of the question, routine habits are taken a break, and certain rules must be followed. Pregnant women usually start routine doctor check-ups after the beginning of pregnancy. However, it is extremely important for women who are considering getting pregnant to go to the doctor beforehand and go through a preparation process for the pregnancy period. The foundation of a healthy pregnancy will be laid in this way. During this process, some of the problems that will be detected in the womb of the baby can be treated while the baby is still in the womb. Therefore, the pregnancy process is a period that requires effort.
During pregnancy, women should be checked by a doctor from the moment they become pregnant. When there is no risk for the mother, she should be checked periodically every four weeks until the 28th week of pregnancy. After this stage, she should be checked once every two weeks until the 36th week, and then checked regularly every week. In order for women to have a healthy pregnancy and to be evaluated in terms of risks, different evaluations are made in the three-month periods of pregnancy. During pregnancy, women should have both routine check-ups and see a doctor in case of emergencies. If the mother has a high risk factor, every symptom should be taken seriously and shared with the doctor.
What should be taken into consideration for a healthy pregnancy?
A healthy pregnancy begins with the preparations that women make before pregnancy. Women who are planning to become pregnant should be evaluated by a gynecologist at this stage. If this is not possible, a doctor's check-up should be performed immediately after learning of the pregnancy.
Folic acid use is very important during pregnancy. When pregnancy is planned early, folic acid supplementation should begin at least 3 months in advance.
TSH values should be checked in the examination before pregnancy or in the first examination during pregnancy to evaluate hepatitis, rubella antibodies, toxoplasmosis and thyroid functions.
Although this period is a physiological process for women, some issues should be taken into consideration. If there is a habit of drinking alcohol and smoking, this should be abandoned. Even if pregnant women do not smoke, they should stay away from environments where smoking takes place. During this period, women should also stay away from beverages such as tea and coffee that contain caffeine.
For a healthy pregnancy, a regular and healthy diet should be established. In addition, regular sleep habits should be acquired. Heavy work should be avoided and stressful situations should not be entered into. In nutrition, fresh vegetables and fruits should be consumed, and protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, chicken, eggs, and milk should be tried to be consumed. Raw meat and meat products should be avoided, and frozen foods should not be eaten. Care should be taken to wash foods well and to ensure that milk and dairy products are pasteurized. Meal intervals should be kept short and eaten little and often. Care should be taken not to go hungry.
Women who have a chronic disease before pregnancy and pregnant women who need to take medication should inform their doctor. Especially diabetics and those with high blood pressure should not neglect this.
Women need to protect themselves from infectious diseases during pregnancy. Therefore, it is necessary to stay away from school children, where infectious diseases are more common.
During this period, hot places such as hot baths and saunas should be avoided. They should also protect themselves from x-ray centers and magnetic fields.
For a healthy pregnancy, it is important for women to go to the doctor regularly. The precautions to be taken during this period should be implemented with the knowledge of the doctor.
What is the importance of folic acid for a healthy pregnancy?
During pregnancy, the folic acid level in women decreases. In folic acid deficiency, low birth weight, megaloblastic anemia and fetal anomaly rates increase in pregnancies. Folic acid is the only vitamin that has been proven to be beneficial during pregnancy. During pregnancy, folic acid must be taken during the neural tube closure process, that is, the first 3-4 weeks after fertilization. In terms of its benefits, folic acid should be used before pregnancy and should be used for 3 months during pregnancy. However, very few pregnant women start using folic acid before pregnancy. Most pregnant women do not use folic acid. Women planning to get pregnant should consume green leafy foods that are rich in folic acid before pregnancy.
What tests should be performed during examinations for a healthy pregnancy?
During the first pregnancy examination, blood and urine tests are performed, and the pregnancy is fully determined with ultrasound. In the first 3 months of pregnancy, a screening test called the double test must be performed to determine whether there is a genetic abnormality in the baby. During the test, which examines the characteristics of the mother's blood, measurements of the baby are also made with ultrasound. In the meantime, the baby's nuchal translucency is measured. The reason for this is that as the nuchal translucency increases, genetic and cardiac abnormalities in babies increase.
The triple test performed between the 16th and 18th weeks can determine the baby's risk factors such as Down syndrome. When it is their first pregnancy, pregnant women usually start to feel the baby's movements in the 5th month. This period is extended to an earlier period as the number of pregnancies increases. If a difference is felt in the baby's movements, a doctor should be consulted. During this process, a color ultrasound is performed and the baby's internal organs and body structure are examined. Blood flow between the mother and the baby should be checked. In case of bleeding or discharge during pregnancy, the doctor should definitely be informed. During this process, vaginal discharge is considered normal in pregnant women, however, if this discharge darkens in color, has a yellow-green color or a cheesy appearance and a bad smell, it should definitely be treated as it indicates an infection. Because if the infection is not treated in time, the pregnant woman will have the risk of premature water rupture and premature birth. In order to ensure a healthy pregnancy, attention should be paid to every symptom during this process.
What are the risk factors for women during pregnancy?
Taking into consideration some factors regarding a woman's health before entering the pregnancy process will ensure that her pregnancy is healthy. These risk factors are;
Age of the mother: The ideal age for pregnancy for women is between 18-35 years. Anatomy and physiology can better tolerate pregnancy in women of this age. However, many pregnancies occur outside of these ages. Abnormal conditions are more common in pregnancies outside of these ages.
The weight of the mother before pregnancy: Being overweight in women planning a pregnancy can cause abnormal problems. The body mass index is calculated to determine the normal weight of the mother. A body mass index below 20 indicates that she is underweight, and above 30 indicates that she is obese. If women who are underweight eat normally and gain weight, there may be no problems during pregnancy. However, women who are overweight may have problems during pregnancy. Therefore, expectant mothers should pay attention to their pre-pregnancy weight and pay attention to their nutrition during pregnancy. In this way, they can have a healthy pregnancy process.
Previous surgeries the mother has had: All gynecological surgeries the woman has had before cause adhesions in the pelvis. These effects usually occur between the bladder and uterus, the end of the large intestine and the back wall of the uterus, and between the ovaries and tubes. Sometimes, they can affect the small intestine.
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