Journals

December 22, 2023

What is Preconception Counselling?

December 22, 2023

Preconception Care and Preparing for Parenthood

Table of Contents 1. The Preconception Period 2. Preconception Fitness Regime 3. Benefits of Exercising During Preconception Period? Thinking about starting a family? Preconception care is crucial for a healthy pregnancy, and fitness is a vital part of it. You might ask, "How does fitness connect to pregnancy preparation?" Fitness significantly boosts fertility, enhances overall health, and improves your chances of a healthy pregnancy. Let's explore why preconception fitness is crucial and discover suitable fitness routines for your path to parenthood. The Preconception Period The preconception period is the foundation for a healthy pregnancy, impacting your baby's growth in the critical early weeks. Many pregnancies go unnoticed during this time, making preconception preparation vital for your baby's health. Exercising also contributes to enhancing your health during the preconception period. Preconception Fitness Regime Low-impact fitness is easy on your joints and suits various fitness levels, offering unique advantages during preconception. Some of the low-impact exercises include; Cardio: Include cardiovascular exercises like brisk walking, jogging, cycling, and swimming in your fitness routine. These activities boost heart health, circulation, and overall fitness. Swimming - Being a full-body exercise, it improves cardiovascular health and flexibility. Stationary biking - Another low-impact option, enhancing heart rate and leg strength while being gentle on joints. Walking and Running - You don't need fancy gear, just good shoes. Experienced runners can indulge in running with their doctor's approval. But avoid extreme training or setting speed records. Strength Training: Weight lifting is fantastic for building muscle tone and bone strength, which benefits you during pregnancy. For safety, use lighter weights with more repetitions or body weight resistance exercises like lunges and squats. High-intensity workouts like CrossFit can be fine if you're experienced and your doctor approves, but avoid jarring movements and stay hydrated. Weight lifting and light weights can boost core and muscle strength, aiding a healthy pregnancy and weight management. Pilates: Pilates is an excellent choice to strengthen your core and enhance flexibility without straining your body. It improves posture and overall fitness, supporting a healthy pregnancy and postpartum recovery. It's suitable for both preconception and pregnancy fitness. Preconception Yoga: Yoga, particularly prenatal and preconception yoga, plays a significant role in enhancing overall well-being before, during, and after pregnancy. It improves physical fitness, reduces stress, fosters a strong mind-body connection, and promotes emotional stability. These practices are tailored to expectant moms, promoting flexibility, balance, and emotional readiness as they embark on their parenthood journey. Benefits of Exercising During Preconception Period? Here are the key points to consider about the importance of fitness during preconception care: Fertility Boost: Optimal fitness can improve your fertility by regulating hormones, reducing the risk of PCOS, and promoting regular menstrual cycles, enhancing your chances of natural conception. Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for fertility. Fitness helps you achieve and sustain a healthy weight, preparing your body for pregnancy. Stress Reduction: Managing stress is vital in preconception care, as it significantly affects fertility. Finding relaxation techniques fosters a positive mental and emotional environment. Building Endurance: Fitness helps your body prepare for the physical demands of pregnancy and childbirth, ensuring better recovery post-pregnancy. Preparing for Challenges: Regular exercise can reduce the risk of pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, enabling better management if such issues arise. Before beginning a fitness regimen, consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions. Supplementation along with exercising can be more beneficial. Bio-Resveratrol, a prenatal supplement offered by Dame Health, packs a powerful punch of health benefits in one convenient package. This prenatal multivitamin is designed to support the well-being of expectant mothers by addressing various aspects of reproductive health. Notably, Bio-Resveratrol contains resveratrol, which is a natural antioxidant. It promotes oocyte quality, a critical factor in fertility and successful pregnancies. It also regulates the menstrual cycles and improves symptoms of PCOS, which can be a significant concern for many women. Moreover, Bio-Resveratrol plays a role in hormone regulation, which is crucial during pregnancy. It improves cardiac function, ensuring that the cardiovascular system is in optimal condition. Additionally, it has anti-ageing properties and improves immune function, providing extra assurance during pregnancy. With its well-rounded array of benefits, Bio-Resveratrol from Dame Health is a comprehensive prenatal supplement that caters to the unique needs of expectant mothers, supporting their journey to a healthy and successful pregnancy. Remember that fitness isn't just about getting into shape; it's about nurturing your body to create a healthy environment for your future child. A proactive fitness routine can make the path to parenthood smoother, increase your fertility, and prepare your body for the rigors of pregnancy and childbirth. Ultimately, your fitness journey is a testament to your commitment to ensuring a healthy start for your future family.

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December 22, 2023

Can PCOS Patients Conceive Naturally?

Table of Contents 1. What is PCOS? 2. Will PCOS Cause Infertility? 3. Will PCOS Affect Pregnancy? 4. Managing PCOS for Improved Fertility If you've been trying to start a family and have been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), you're not alone. PCOS is a common hormonal disorder that affects women of reproductive age and can have a significant impact on your fertility and pregnancy journey. In this blog, we'll explore the effects of PCOS on fertility and pregnancy and provide insights on how to manage this condition to increase your chances of conceiving and having a healthy pregnancy. What is PCOS? Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) disrupts hormonal balance, causing irregular periods, elevated androgens, and ovarian cysts. While its exact cause is unknown, early diagnosis, treatment, and weight management reduce long-term risks. PCOS primarily affects ovulation, impacting fertility through irregular cycles and hormonal imbalances. Will PCOS Cause Infertility? Lack of ovulation: PCOS often disrupts the regular ovulation process. Without ovulation, there's no egg to be fertilized, making it difficult to get pregnant. Hormonal Imbalances: Elevated androgen levels can disrupt the delicate balance of hormones needed for ovulation and implantation, further reducing your fertility. Insulin Resistance: Many women with PCOS have insulin resistance, which can lead to higher insulin levels. This excess insulin can affect your ovaries, leading to increased androgen production, which, in turn, can negatively impact your fertility. Will PCOS Affect Pregnancy? “Can PCOS patients conceive?” is the first question that comes to your mind when you have PCOS. Getting pregnant with PCOS is possible, but there are important considerations during your pregnancy. Higher Risk of Gestational Diabetes: Women with PCOS are at an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes during pregnancy. This condition should be monitored closely throughout pregnancy. Risk of Preterm Birth: Some studies have suggested that PCOS is associated with a slightly higher risk of preterm birth. Higher Risk of High Blood Pressure (Preeclampsia): You may have an increased risk of developing preeclampsia, a condition characterized by high blood pressure and damage to organs like the liver and kidneys. Managing PCOS for Improved Fertility The good news is that PCOS is manageable, and there are steps you can take to enhance your fertility. Lifestyle Modifications: Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and a balanced diet can help improve your hormonal balance and insulin sensitivity. Even losing a modest amount of weight can make a significant difference in your ability to conceive. Medications: Your healthcare provider may prescribe medications like Clomiphene, Letrozole, or Metformin to regulate your menstrual cycle and stimulate ovulation. Discuss their safety with your healthcare provider. Some medications may need to be adjusted or discontinued during pregnancy. Gestational Diabetes Screening: If you had PCOS with insulin resistance before starting preconception care, your doctor will likely test you for gestational diabetes. This is crucial for managing risks during pregnancy. Early screening allows personalized plans for a healthy pregnancy, emphasizing the importance of preconception care for those with PCOS and insulin resistance. Supplements: In PCOS preconception care, vital supplements, including Folate (folic acid), inositol, vitamin D, and resveratrol, regulate hormonal balance, addressing fertility-affecting nutrient imbalances. These supplements, targeting common PCOS deficiencies, create an optimal environment for conception. Folic acid, for instance, reduces the risk of neural tube defects.Resveratrol is a natural antioxidant. Bio-Resveratrol by Dame Health is a prenatal supplement that has Resveratrol. This prenatal multivitamin is made to help expectant mothers with different aspects of reproductive health, offering a bundle of health benefits in one easy package.Bio-Resveratrol promotes oocyte quality, a critical factor in fertility and successful pregnancies. It also regulates the menstrual cycles and improves the symptoms of PCOS, which can be a significant concern for many women.Moreover, Bio-Resveratrol plays a role in hormone regulation, which is crucial during pregnancy. It improves cardiac function, ensuring that the cardiovascular system is in optimal condition. It is a natural antioxidant and so is known for improving immune function and for its anti-ageing properties. PCOS can undoubtedly present challenges when it comes to fertility and pregnancy. But the key to overcoming these challenges is early diagnosis and a proactive approach. By working closely with your healthcare provider, adopting a healthy lifestyle, and exploring the right treatments, you can significantly improve your chances of getting pregnant and having a healthy pregnancy. Remember, PCOS is a common condition, and there is plenty of support available. Don't hesitate to reach out to support groups, friends, and family as you embark on this journey. You're not alone, and with the right strategies, you can achieve your dreams of starting or growing your family.

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December 21, 2023

Why Preconception Care?

Table of Contents: Why Preconception Care? Preconception Period Preconception care and Pregnancy Preconception Checkup Why Preconception Care? Parenthood is a thrilling and life-altering journey that involves numerous important decisions. One of the most vital choices you can make before embarking on this path is to prioritise preconception care. Preconception care is the proactive process of enhancing your health and wellness before you become pregnant. This step significantly impacts your child's well-being. Let's explore why preconception care matters for a healthy pregnancy. Preconception Period Preconception care is crucial for your baby's early development. It ensures you're in optimal health before pregnancy, vital for the first weeks after conception. This care involves genetic screening, especially with a family history of genetic disorders, informing family planning and birth defect prevention decisions. It also includes maintaining a good mental health, weight, diet, as well as physical activity for both the parents to be. Preconception care and Pregnancy Fertility is the cornerstone of your journey to parenthood. Whether you've been dreaming of this moment for years or are just starting to think about having a child. Preconception care significantly impacts birth outcomes. By making necessary lifestyle changes, you can improve your chances of conceiving naturally, without the need for expensive fertility treatments. Preconception care not only readies your body for pregnancy but also lowers the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and other complications. It establishes a strong foundation for a safer and healthier pregnancy journey. Preconception Checkup Similar to a regular physical exam, this check up helps evaluate your health and lifestyle's impact on your pregnancy. A physical examination involves checking your weight, blood pressure, breast examination, and pelvic exam, which can include a Pap test to screen for cervical cancer. Other medical evaluations during a preconception check up include; Blood analysis, Urine examination, Ultrasound imaging, Blood pressure assessment, Weight assessment, Mental health screening, and Abdominal examination. Following are other parameters that the preconception check up suggest, need to be taken care of: Conception Timing and Birth Control: Your menstrual history guides the best conception timing and when to halt birth control methods, a few months before attempting pregnancy or as advised by your healthcare provider. Diet, Lifestyle, and Stress management: Your doctor emphasises healthy eating, exercise, quit smoking and alcohol consumption, and stress reduction for a healthy pregnancy. Managing stress is crucial in preconception care as it creates a positive environment for you and your future baby. Managing Overall Health: Pre-existing chronic conditions, like diabetes and hypertension, need management before conception to reduce pregnancy risks. Checking immunisation for infections, like rubella, is crucial to prevent birth defects in pregnancy. Additionally, untreated Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) pose fertility and baby health risks. Preconception care includes STI screening and treatment to protect your health. Medication, Vaccination, and Supplements: Discuss the medications and vaccinations you may need to ensure they're safe for pregnancy.Pre-pregnancy support from Dame Health is a preconception multivitamin that goes beyond standard prenatal supplements. It contains L-Methyl Folate for extra protection during preconception, recommended by fertility experts. Begin taking it at least three months before conception. The benefits are, enhances fertility, improves oocyte quality, prevents neural tube defects and birth complications, reduces risks of miscarriages and preterm birth and low birth weight, boosts immunity, provides extra strength to bones and joints, regulates blood pressure, and helps in preventing gestational diabetes. It also nourishes skin, hair, and nervous system. As you prepare for the journey of parenthood, Pre-pregnancy support equips you and your future child with essential care. It is a proactive choice for a healthier pregnancy and a healthy baby. Weight Management: Being overweight, as in conditions like PCOS and being underweight can cause irregular menstrual cycles, hindering ovulation. Preconception care helps achieve a healthy weight, and better pregnancy outcomes. Boosting Nutritional Health: A well-rounded diet provides essential nutrients for a healthy pregnancy. Preconception care guides you in making better food choices, taking prenatal vitamins, and optimising your nutritional health. Proper nutrition before pregnancy contributes to the development of a strong and healthy baby. Enhancing Partners' Health: Both partners play a significant role in the health of your future child. The care during the preconception period includes screening for potential male infertility and the importance of a healthy lifestyle for both partners. Ensuring both partners are in optimal health maximises your chances of conception. Preconception care provides knowledge for informed choices, realistic goal setting, and adapting your lifestyle to optimise your pregnancy's health. Incorporating preconception care into family planning is a proactive, responsible step, offering numerous benefits for a healthy family journey. Prioritise your health, embrace it, and begin your journey to parenthood with confidence.

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December 21, 2023

Preconception Care: Preparing for a Healthy Start

Table of Contents 1. Preconception Meaning 2. Why is Preconception Health Important? 3. When Should Preconception Care Begin? 4. Preconception and Genetic Testing 5. Preconception and Stereotypes 6. Supplements During Preconception Care Parenting is a significant journey, and it requires planning and readiness. However, preconception care, which plays a crucial role in ensuring a healthy start for you and your future child, is often overlooked. In this guide, we'll explore preconception care, its importance, when to start, address stereotypes, and discuss the significance of genetic testing. Preconception Meaning Preconception care is about achieving good health before pregnancy, and it's essential for both women and men. For women, it involves assessing factors like diet, lifestyle, and medications that can affect their baby's health even before conception. It aims to identify and address any potential issues, such as high blood pressure or PCOS, to ensure a healthier pregnancy and fewer complications for both mother and baby. It is also very crucial for the men to undergo preconception care as it may help enhance the sperm quality as well as quantity. Why is Preconception Health Important? In 2013, WHO stated, preconception care is relevant and necessary for all the women in reproductive age. Preconception care isn't exclusive to mothers; fathers also play a crucial role in preparing for a healthy start for their future child. It involves steps like vitamin intake, vaccinations, and overall health improvement. It is suggested you not wait until the first prenatal check up for you to start taking good care of yourself, given that the organ development of the foetus starts early in the pregnancy. Both parents' health is vital since life starts with the fusion of the female egg and male sperm. Mothers with chronic conditions face unique pregnancy challenges, and diet can impact genes. Male factors contribute to around one-third of infertility, emphasizing the importance of preconception care for fathers. Factors like smoking, obesity, toxins, and drugs can affect birth outcomes. When Should Preconception Care Begin? To ensure a healthy pregnancy, start preconception care at least three months before trying to conceive. It's beneficial for all couples who are planning to conceive or are new parents, including those with prior children. Both partners should participate, as the father's health matters too. Starting early (1-2 years before unprotected intercourse) significantly improves pregnancy outcomes. Preconception and Genetic Testing Preconception genetic testing, or carrier screening, is extremely important if any of the family members have a history of genetic illness. It informs you about the genes linked to specific disorders and the risk of passing them to your child. Typically involving blood or saliva tests, this screening is done before pregnancy, allowing time for informed decisions. It's crucial for early detection, aiding in proper management, and providing peace of mind for family planning. Expanded screenings can include over 100 disorders, such as cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease, focusing on the risk assessment for your future children. Preconception and Stereotypes Stereotypes in preconception care can hinder its acceptance and effectiveness. Here are some common stereotypes: Exclusively for Women: A common stereotype is that preconception care is solely the woman's responsibility, focusing on her health while neglecting the vital role of men's health in pregnancy outcomes. In reality, both partners should be actively involved, as men's well-being also significantly impacts pregnancy. Only for First-Time Parents: Preconception care isn't just for first-time parents; it's valuable for those with previous children, enhancing the odds of a healthy subsequent pregnancy. Only for Unhealthy Individuals: Preconception care is solely for those with existing health problems. In reality, it's valuable for anyone preparing to have a baby, regardless of their health status. It's Too Early: Beginning preconception care early is unnecessary. In fact, initiating it well before pregnancy allows time to address health concerns, modify lifestyles, and ensure a healthier pregnancy. Break stereotypes to emphasize the importance of preconception care for healthy pregnancies and babies. Supplements During Preconception Care Bio-CoQ10 by Dame Health is a multivitamin tailored to enhance your reproductive health. Bio-CoQ10 contains coenzyme Q10 which is an antioxidant. This supplement is designed to elevate the quality of your oocytes, improving your chances of a successful pregnancy. Experience the added advantage of reducing the risks of miscarriage and genetic defects. Bio-CoQ10 doesn't stop there – it helps boost your immune system. Unveil the power of each capsule, meticulously crafted with Coenzyme Q10, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Ultragen Omega 3,6,9. Take one tablet daily with your meal and elevate your wellness journey with Bio-CoQ10 for a healthier reproductive life. Facing pregnancy-related morning sickness can be tough, but remember it's usually temporary and tends to improve as pregnancy progresses. Employing these strategies can alleviate symptoms and enhance your overall pregnancy experience. Since every woman's body is unique, find the strategies that suit you best. Getting enough rest can help regulate hormone levels and reduce stress and potentially minimise morning sickness symptoms. If severe morning sickness affects you, seek guidance from your healthcare provider for support.

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