One of the biggest mistakes many pregnant women make is treating their pregnancy as a problem rather than enjoying the different phases of their maternity. This can lead to stress, high blood pressure, diabetes and hypertension.
It comes as no surprise that many pregnant women are concerned for their health, considering some of the pregnancy myths I hear daily in my office. Some common misconceptions include: the myth that getting your hair and nails done is harmful for the baby, that sex is contraindicated in pregnancy and that all sugar-free drinks are bad for you.
Some of the advice I regularly give my patients (pregnant or trying to conceive) is not to put too much emphasis on other women’s war stories about pregnancy. The stories sound far more horrific than they actually were just like that “big fish” most men talk about. These stories are often exaggerated and can scare a mother-to-be. Today, new tests, equipment and procedures help prevent a lot of the problems from yesteryear -- and old war stories don’t necessarily hold water.
On the other hand, I also tell my patients never to ignore pressing issues of mental health. Attention needs to be paid to women who have a predisposition for depression, as well as those who have feelings of sadness, anxiety and restlessness. These could be signs of postpartum depression -- a real problem which needs to be addressed.
Do you have a
question for Dr. Manny?
|
Of course, while those who are pregnant are ripe with questions for the picking, those trying to conceive have just as much fruit on the vine. One of the most important things couples who are trying to conceive need to know is that a pre-conceptual visit (before the pregnancy) could identify risk factors which could influence the course of the pregnancy. Problems that might be detected at a pre-conceptual visit include risk factors for genetic diseases and chronic medical problems. These conditions (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.) may be unknown to patients and could affect the pregnancy; so I recommend visiting your doctor before you conceive.
Aside from having sex regularly, couples can increase their chances of becoming pregnant by improving their metabolism. One way to do this is by eating healthier and consuming more fruits and vegetables. Recently, I dealt with a challenging case involving a 60-year-old woman who went to South Africa for in-vitro fertilization. She successfully delivered a set of healthy twins -- proof that the proper medical recommendations, exercise and diet can lead to healthy births.