Pre-Pregnancy

Having a baby is one of the most important events in a woman's life. Instead of treating this miraculous event as an ordinary situation, it is important to plan, be informed about the subject, and eliminate preventable risks in order to have the best pregnancy and have a healthy birth. I recommend that expectant mothers who are considering pregnancy meet with their gynecologist and obstetrician as soon as possible during this planning period and make their pregnancy plans together. I wish all expectant mothers a pregnancy period they want, as they wish, and a very comfortable birth afterwards...

Pre-Pregnancy Counseling

First of all, you will start by getting to know your doctor, with whom you will embark on a long journey. As you plan to step into a world you are completely unaware of, you should evaluate whether your doctor has the strength and time to deal with the questions and problems you will encounter in this new world. In the meantime, your doctor will examine you, your health history, your current health status, your family health history, your previous pregnancies and births, if any, and their characteristics to try to determine the points that may cause problems during your next pregnancy.

During the first consultation, your age, occupation, lifestyle and habits (diet, exercise, smoking and alcohol use), diabetes, hypertension, kidney diseases, thyroid diseases (goiter), epilepsy, heart diseases, blood diseases (thalassemia, thrombophilia...), genetic diseases and other chronic diseases that may affect the pregnancy and the baby will be evaluated and treatment arrangements, if any, will be suggested or consultation from relevant branches may be requested.

If there is any, information about previous pregnancies and their results (type of delivery, week of delivery, birth weight, health status) will be obtained and any problems or issues that may be associated with the next pregnancy (preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, genetic diseases, premature birth, prematurity, growth retardation, fetal loss...) will be determined. Information will also be obtained about gynecological diseases that may affect pregnancy. (Myoma, ovarian cyst, gynecological operations that may affect pregnancy...)

Chronic, genetic and other diseases in your family that may affect your pregnancy will also be questioned and evaluated.

In the last stage of the examination, a gynecological examination should be performed. An organic pathology that prevents pregnancy will be detected, treated if necessary, a smear will be taken for cervical cancer screening, and an infection will be evaluated and treated.

Laboratory tests that can be done before pregnancy:

Complete blood count, blood type, urine test, blood sugar
TSH, fT3, fT4
Toxoplasma IgG, IgM
Rubella IgG, IgM
CMV IgG, IgM
HbsAg, Anti-HBS
HIV (1+2),
VDRL
Cervical smear
Chlamydia antigen from cervical discharge

5 suggestions for a healthy pregnancy period...

If possible, take 400 ug (microgram) Folic Acid supplements daily for 3 months, at least 1 month in advance.
Quit alcohol and cigarettes
Get checked for your current illnesses, make sure they are under control and will not affect your pregnancy. Find out the status of your vaccinations
Ask your doctor about the effects of prescription, non-prescription, or herbal medications you use.
Stay away from toxic, potentially infectious chemicals and cat and dog feces.