Pregnancy program consultation is an examination procedure that is carried out before the patient undergoes pregnancy. This procedure aims to identify things that can affect the patient's ability to conceive and survive the pregnancy, and increase the chances of a healthy baby being born.
Consultation on pregnancy programs is one of the first steps that can be taken by couples who are planning to undergo the pregnancy process. The consultation phase of the pregnancy program generally includes discussions and health checks, which aim to detect various risk factors that can harm the condition of the mother and fetus during pregnancy later.
Not only that, pregnancy program consultation also has several benefits. Among others are:
- Prepare the mother and partner physically and emotionally for pregnancy.
- Prevent disorders or abnormalities that may occur during pregnancy and childbirth, such as miscarriage, premature birth, or low birth weight.
- Prevent birth defects.
- Prevent infection in newborns.
- Preventing the transmission of HIV or sexually transmitted infections from mother to baby.
- Prevent the risk of the baby being born stunting, namely impaired growth and development experienced by infants due to lack of nutritional intake.
- Lowering the risk of cancer that may occur in childhood.
- Lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes, as well as heart and blood vessel disease in the future.
Consultation for pregnant programs can be done in a clinic or hospital with an obstetrician.
Indications for Pregnant Program Consultation
Consultation on pregnancy programs is highly recommended for every woman who is planning to become pregnant. In addition, there are several conditions that cause women and their partners to undergo a consultation program to get pregnant. Among others are:
- Have had certain medical disorders, such as diabetes, hypertension, sexually transmitted infections, phenylketonuria, epilepsy, thyroid disease, and arthritis.
- It is difficult to get offspring for approximately 2 years after marriage.
- Having a genetic disorder that is at risk of being passed on to the fetus, such as thalassemia.
- Having problems in a previous pregnancy, such as miscarriage, fetal death, or having a baby born with a congenital abnormality.
- Women over 40 years old.
- Active smoker
Before Pregnancy Program Consultation
There are several things that need to be prepared by the patient or partner before conducting a pregnancy program consultation, including:
- Overall medical history. As a first step in consulting a pregnant program, the doctor will usually check the patient's overall medical history. Bring all the results of the examinations that have been carried out, including vaccination records, laboratory test results, X-rays, and the results of other supporting examinations, such as CT scans or MRIs.
- Types of drugs or products that are currently or have been consumed. Patients should bring and indicate the type of medication, including vitamins and supplements, that are being taken. Some types of drugs may be able to inhibit the process of pregnancy or cause birth defects in the baby.
- A list of questions. Before undergoing a pregnancy program consultation, patients and their partners should make a list of questions about various things about the pregnancy program. Sort the questions starting with the most important
Pregnancy Program Consultation Procedure
Consultation for pregnancy programs generally consists of several types of examinations, namely:
- Medical history check. At this stage of the examination, the doctor will ask questions about several things. Among others are:
- Patient's medical history. Various types of diseases that have been or are currently being suffered by the patient, especially types of diseases that can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy, such as asthma, diabetes, and hypertension. By knowing the patient's health condition, doctors can take treatment actions before the patient enters pregnancy.
- Patient's family medical history. Medical disorders that are at risk of being passed down from family members, such as blood clotting disorders.
- Reproductive history. Includes a history of previous pregnancies, menstrual cycles, history of using contraceptives, and sexually transmitted infections if ever suffered.
- History of surgery. Various types of surgery have been undergone by the patient, especially myoma surgery or other surgical procedures that have been performed on the reproductive organs.
- the type of drug being taken, including over-the-counter drugs, supplements, or herbal products. The doctor may advise the patient to stop taking certain types of drugs to prevent the risk of birth defects in the baby.
- Vaccination history. It is important to check the vaccination history to prevent birth defects or other complications during pregnancy. There are several types of vaccinations that should be carried out before undergoing pregnancy, namely the rubella, chickenpox, tetanus, diphtheria, flu, and hepatitis B vaccines.
- Social and emotional history. The doctor will ask questions regarding mental health disorders that the patient has experienced, such as depression or eating disorders (eating disorder).
- Home and work environment. Harmful substances, such as lead, mercury, or pet feces, can affect a patient's ability to conceive or maintain a healthy pregnancy.
- Patient lifestyle. The doctor will ask questions regarding the patient's current lifestyle, including daily routines, exercise activities, and the type of food consumed. This is to prepare the patient for pregnancy and create a healthy pregnancy.
- Physical examination. This examination is done to check the condition of the patient's body before undergoing pregnancy. Physical examination includes:
- Measurement of height and weight.
- Examination of vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate.
- Pelvic exam, by inserting a finger into the vagina to examine the uterus and cervix.
- Laboratory examination. This examination is done by using urine and blood samples to detect various abnormalities.
- Urine test. A urine sample is used to detect sugar levels in the urine. Sugar levels that are too high can affect fetal development. Therefore, the doctor will take steps or actions to control the patient's blood sugar level to normal limits before the patient enters the pregnancy period.
- Blood test. Blood samples are used to detect several types of diseases, such as syphilis, HIV, herpes, hepatitis B, and citomegalovirus. In addition, blood samples are also used to identify several things. Among others are:
- Counting the number of blood cells. If the patient's blood cell count is below normal, the doctor may advise the patient to take iron supplements to prevent iron deficiency anemia.
- Check blood group, either ABO or Rh group.
- Check thyroid hormone content and vitamin D levels.
- PAP smear. The doctor will take a sample of cervical tissue cells for later analysis in the laboratory. This examination is done to detect possible abnormalities in the female reproductive organs, such as inflammation or infection.
- Scanning. If needed, the doctor will ask the patient to undergo a scan to see the state of the reproductive organs. Among others are:
- ultrasound, done to examine the condition of the ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes, as well as detect abnormalities that can affect uterine function and hinder the pregnancy process, such as endometriosis and fibroids.
- hysterosalpingography, namely an examination carried out using X-rays and contrast fluid to check the condition of the uterus and fallopian tubes.
- Laparoscopy or keyhole surgery, can also be done if the patient has a history of pelvic inflammatory disease or a blockage in one or both fallopian tubes is found.
Consultation and examination of pregnant programs are not only done by women. Men should also do an examination to determine the level of fertility, so that the process of pregnancy is achieved more quickly. Several types of checks can be performed, including:
- Urine test (urinalysis). To detect white blood cells in the urine as an indicator of a possible infection.
- Sperm check. Sperm examination is done to count the number of sperm and detect any abnormalities in the shape, movement, or color of the sperm.
- ultrasound.An examination performed to detect the location of damage or blockage in the male reproductive tract.
- Testicular biopsy. The doctor will take a small sample of testicular tissue and perform analysis in the laboratory to determine the level of sperm production.
- Vasography. Examination using X-rays to detect blockage or leakage of sperm in the vas deferens, namely the tube that connects the testes with the urethra (urethra).
After Pregnancy Program Consultation
After the couple undergoes discussions and various types of medical examinations, the obstetrician or midwife will analyze the results of the physical examination, laboratory test results, and the results of other examinations that have been carried out. From these results, doctors can find out several things, namely:
- The condition of the couple undergoing consultation with the pregnant program. Through consultations and examinations, doctors can determine health conditions and fertility levels, both from the side of men and women, as well as abnormalities that may be experienced.
- Treatment measures. If the patient suffers from certain disorders or diseases that can hinder the pregnancy process or increase the risk of complications when the patient begins to enter the pregnancy period, the doctor may take treatment measures so that the patient can have a healthy pregnancy.
- Determine the program of pregnancy.Especially for patients or couples who have not had children for approximately 2 years and have undergone various therapies to increase fertility, but do not produce results, doctors can provide IVF program options to increase the patient's chances of getting pregnant.
In addition to consulting a pregnancy program, there are several things you can do to increase your chances of getting pregnant. Among others are:
- Take about 400 g of folic acid at least 1 month before pregnancy until 12 weeks of gestation.
- Quit smoking, drinking alcohol, and using drugs.
- Avoid toxic substances and environments contaminated with hazardous materials, such as fertilizers, synthetic chemicals, or insect sprays.
- Maintain an ideal body weight, because being overweight (obesity) increases the risk of several serious diseases, including complications during pregnancy, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer (breast and colon).
- Studying family medical history to prevent the risk of inherited diseases that may not be realized so far.
- Maintain mental health and reduce stress.
