Tuesday, May 16, 2006

A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report seeks to improve preconception health and health care. The advice is aimed at patients, doctors, public health professionals, researchers, policymakers and government agencies. The steps recommended for patients include:

· Develop a "reproductive health plan," which describes if and when you want to have children. (The same advice applies to men and couples.)

· Use your regular doctor visits as an opportunity to discuss your risks -- including chronic medical conditions and behaviors that might negatively impact a pregnancy -- and learn about how to reduce them and improve future pregnancy outcomes.

· If you have a chronic medical condition, such as diabetes, asthma or epilepsy, get it under control. Also, ask your doctor or pharmacist how to handle prescribed and over-the-counter medications should you become pregnant.

· Get a "pre-pregnancy checkup" just before attempting conception. This visit would advise a woman on what she should do and expect in the months to come.

· Aim to reach a healthy weight before getting pregnant.

· Don't smoke, and be aware of alcohol's effects on a developing fetus.

· In addition to maintaining a healthy diet, take a daily folic acid supplement, which has been shown to decrease the risk of neural tube defects. Talk with your doctor about which foods to eat and which to avoid. Fish consumption, for example, should be limited due to concerns about mercury contamination, according to the March of Dimes. ·