Planning for Pregnancy

Planning for your pregnancy

If you’re considering pregnancy, schedule a preconception consultation with your doctor at Nandhini-Pearl Hospital (NPHL). We will offer expert guidance on preparing for pregnancy.

The preconception phase, typically 3 to 6 months before pregnancy, is the ideal time to make lifestyle changes that can enhance fertility, minimize pregnancy complications, and support postpartum recovery.

Diet Containing Folic Acid

You and your partner should start taking folic acid and iodine supplements before trying to conceive. Folic acid supports your baby's healthy growth and helps prevent neural tube defects, while iodine is vital for brain development. After a check-up, the doctor at NPH will prescribe the right supplements and dosage for you.

Healthy Diet

Evaluate your current eating habits and consider where you can make healthier food choices. A proper balanced diet, rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, will boost your chances of conceiving and having a healthy pregnancy.

Alcohol

Consumption of alcohol is unsafe during pregnancy. Therefore, if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant, it's best to avoid alcohol entirely. Consuming alcohol during pregnancy can have lasting adverse effects on your baby's health and development.

Smoking

Quitting smoking before pregnancy is one of the most significant steps you can take to protect both yourself and your baby from serious complications during pregnancy. Quitting smoking increases your chances of conceiving naturally and promptly, reduces the risk of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, and lowers the likelihood of delivering your baby prematurely.

Pre-pregnancy check-up

It’s wise to consult your doctor when planning to become pregnant. This allows you to explore necessary investigations and discuss your overall health and family history. The consultation can cover vaccinations, pre-pregnancy health checks like cervical screening, STI tests, and potential lifestyle adjustments. Consider genetic carrier screening for certain conditions that could unknowingly be passed on to your baby. Be sure to talk about this with your doctor.

Learn more about preconception health for women and men.

Book Now to ensure a healthy pregnancy journey.

Planning for pregnancy is the first step toward a healthy and happy future for your family.

The best time to get pregnant

During a woman’s monthly cycle, ovulation happens when an egg is released from one of the ovaries. Sometimes, more than one egg is released within 24 hours of the first one. At the same time, the lining of the uterus starts to thicken, and the cervical mucus becomes thinner, making it easier for sperm to swim through. The egg then begins its slow journey down the fallopian tube. If the woman has had sex recently, the egg may be fertilized by the man’s sperm in the fallopian tube.

If fertilization occurs, the thickened lining of the uterus which is ready for the fertilized egg to implant. However, if the egg is not fertilized, it will exit the body during the woman’s period, along with the shedding of the uterine lining. The egg is so tiny that it is invisible to the naked eye.

Falling pregnant

You’re most likely to become pregnant if you have sex within a day or so of ovulation, which is when your ovary releases an egg. Ovulation happens about 14 days before your next period starts. Though the average menstrual cycle occurs in 28 days, it’s normal for cycles to be shorter or longer. For example, if you have a 28-day cycle, you’ll likely ovulate on day 14, but if your cycle is 30 days, you’ll probably ovulate on day 16.

Once released, an egg survives for about 12 to 24 hours and needs to be fertilized by sperm within this window for pregnancy to occur. If you have sex every couple of days, there will likely be sperm in your fallopian tubes, ready to meet the egg when it is released. Sperm can survive inside a woman’s body for up to 5 days, so if you have sex before ovulation, the sperm may already be in place when the egg is released.

Make a proper health check up today, for a fulfilling life tomorrow.

Nandhini – Pearl Hospital, a leading Muti speciality hospital in Velachery, Chennai, has been dedicated to women’s wellness for over 35 years, offering comprehensive gynaecological, fertility, cancer care, and specialty care treatments for women. Our team of expert obstetricians has safely delivered over 50,000 babies.

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