Dr. Marjorie Greenfield
Specializing in pregnancy and birth.
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 Ask Dr. Greenfield
Preparing for a Healthy Future Pregnancy | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Greenfield,
Currently I am 18 and am having no thoughts about having a baby. However, this is bound to change at some point. I therefore wonder if there are steps I can take in the here and now to determine that if I do have a child, it will be healthy. Also, are there any check-ups or tests that would be pertinent to my age in relation to future childbearing days ahead? Have to get an early start and be sure! Thank You.— Not Yet a Mom in Fremont, California | | | ANSWER |
May 25, 2001 | | | Dear Not Yet a Mom,
Yours is a very interesting question. I am not usually asked about protecting the ability to have a healthy baby this far in advance.
My first recommendation would be to get in the habit of taking a vitamin supplement that contains folic acid. While you sound like an unusually organized thinker, many pregnancies come as a surprise. Often by the time the woman knows she is pregnant, the fetal organs have already formed, and the chance to prevent birth defects is lost. Similarly, a non-smoker, non-drinker will have a healthier pregnancy. In addition, down the road when you do decide to have a child, it is a good idea to see your practitioner for a pre-conception visit three to six months before you would like to conceive. This will help you plan for your pregnancy. Other than that, there is some thought that taking birth control pills until you want to conceive may help a bit in preventing fertility problems and certainly does not hurt your chances of becoming a mom.
Raising a physically and emotionally healthy child takes a lot of work and resources. You'll certainly want to go as far in your education as you can, so that you have the widest possible career options. If you're fortunate enough to have a supportive family and a strong circle of friends, they will be able to help you cope with the stresses of pregnancy and new motherhood. If you don't have those supports already, now is a good time to begin building them. You may want to join a religious congregation or connect with a community group, which shares your ideals.
It seems very obvious, but one of the most important things you can do is choose your baby's father very carefully. While many women raise healthy babies with little or no help from the fathers, I am convinced that their job is much, much harder than when the father shares in the child-rearing responsibilities.
Good luck with all your future plans.— by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. |
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