|
Preconception care is an important part of a woman's overall
reproductive health. It is the comprehensive care that women need in order to be as
healthy as possible before getting pregnant. To plan for a healthy pregnancy,
preconception care includes:
- A visit with a health care provider to identify and correct
any health problems
- Updating immunizations
- Good nutrition for both mother and father
- A vitamin supplement for pregnancy (including .4 mg of folic
acid per day)
- Regular physical activity
- Avoidance of unhealthy substances (such as alcohol use,
cigarette smoking, drug use)
- Avoidance of x-rays
- Genetic testing and counseling for at-risk individuals or
couples
Good preconception care is the first step in good prenatal
care.
Early Signs of Pregnancy
The signs of pregnancy can vary from person to person. You
may have none, some, or all of the following signs of pregnancy:
- A missed period, spotting, or a period with less bleeding than
normal
- Nausea or vomiting
- Tender, swollen, or tingling breasts
- Fatigue
- Changes in appetite or digestion
- Frequent urination and urgency
Although some of these signs may be due to factors other than
pregnancy, you should take care of yourself and your body if you think you are pregnant.
In addition, you should make an appointment to see a health care provider.
Pregnancy Tests
Early diagnosis of pregnancy is based on hormone changes in
the body. In particular, there are urine tests and blood tests:
- Home pregnancy tests measure the amount of the hormone hCG
in urine. They are usually able to detect pregnancy about 12-15 days after conception. The
results are ready in a few minutes. Home pregnancy tests are almost as accurate as lab
tests.
- Urine pregnancy tests conducted in your health care provider's
office are very similar to home pregnancy tests.
- Pregnancy tests based on blood samples are more sensitive than
urine tests. They can detect pregnancy as early as one week after conception, and they can
also detect the exact amount of the hormone hCG in the blood.
- Ultrasounds are sometimes used to confirm pregnancy and to
estimate the length of pregnancy.
powered by AVSC
International-avsc.org
Page 1 2
3 4 5
|
