If you are planning to get pregnant, it is important that you do a pre-pregnancy planning. It is important to plan your pregnancy to ensure a healthy pregnancy period, and a healthy baby. Pre-pregnancy planning helps a woman understand some of the most important health issues relating to pregnancy.

Schedule A Check Up

Pre-pregnancy planning involves scheduling a health check up. It is important to find out if you are fit enough to get pregnant. A pre-pregnancy checkup helps you find out if there is an existing medical condition that can pose a risk to you and the fetus. Cancer, diabetes, AIDS/HIV, kidney disease, depression, asthma, thyroid problems, hepatitis B, heart disease, and high blood pressure, are some of the medical conditions that can lead to a risky pregnancy.

A pre-pregnancy check up will also help you decide whether you need further immunization or not. Tests will be conducted to see if your body has enough antibodies against rubella (German measles) and chicken pox (varicella). If there is lack of antibodies, then you get vaccinated against them. Women should be vaccinated against these diseases at least 30 days prior to conceiving.

Dental Health

Dental health is another important issue that a woman should consider, if she is planning to get pregnant. Oral health is very important, because it can affect the growth of the fetus. Oral infections and gum diseases have shown to increase the risk of premature birth. They may augment the risk of your water breaking early.

Healthier Lifestyle

Pre-pregnancy planning also helps women plan a healthier lifestyle for themselves and their babies. Women are advised to quit smoking and drinking before they conceive. Alcohol, drugs, and smoking can cause serious damage to the fetus. They are also advised to eat a nutritious diet and follow an exercise regime. Leading a stress free lifestyle is also crucial for a healthy pregnancy.

Cord blood banking is another issue that many couples are seriously contemplating. Umbilical cord blood is a rich source of stem cells, which are used today to fight cancer and hereditary disease. In the future, they might be used to cure diseases like, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s.

The umbilical cord blood can only be harvested after the delivery and before the placenta is cut. Therefore, it is something must be planned way before the delivery date.

Obstetricians usually advise couples to take the decision by the 28th week of pregnancy. Planning early gives you the time to choose the best facility.

These are just some of the issues that a woman should consider, if she is planning to get pregnant. A consultation with a doctor will help you understand all the health issues relating to pregnancy.

The third trimester pregnancy starts from the 28th week and lasts till the delivery. This is the last stretch of your pregnancy. You will continue to experience existing or new symptoms. Your physician will increase the frequency of your check ups as the delivery date approaches.

During the third trimester, your body and the fetus will continue to change and grow. The fetus is able to hear and see now. The ultrasound might show it sucking its thumb. The fetus is able to cry. Its brain, lungs, and kidneys continue to grow. The lungs mature by the 38th or the 40th week. During the last weeks of pregnancy, the head will turn downwards.

Symptoms You Might Experience

As The Fetus Grows, The Mother’s Body Also Undergoes Several Changes.

• You will notice an increase in the frequency of urination. This is due to the uterus putting pressure on the bladder.

• The fetus will radiate body heat and this in turn will increase the mother’s skin temperature. In other words, you will be feeling hot.

• Swelling of the hands, face, and ankles is also common during this stage.

• If you do not have developed stretch marks already, then you might start developing them now. They usually appear on the buttocks, upper arms, breasts, and abdomen.

• You might experience a drop in blood pressure. This is due to the fetus pressing on the main vein that carries blood from the heart.

• Back pain.

• Indigestion, heartburn, and constipation.

• During the third trimester pregnancy, many expectant mothers start experiencing false labor at irregular intervals.

• The mother’s breasts will start leaking a fluid called Colostrum. This fluid is rich provides nutrition and immunity to the fetus. Padded bras will help soak in the fluid.

As your pregnancy approaches to a near, you will find yourself thinking about childbirth, labor, breastfeeding, and other related issues. At this stage, it is best to start attending childbirth classes. These classes will help you with your pregnancy planning for the remaining period. They will address your concerns, as well.

Prenatal Checkups

Your obstetrician is another person whom you can consult if you have any questions about your pregnancy. In fact, during the third trimester, your obstetrician will increase the frequency of your visits.

After the 29th week of your pregnancy, you will be required to go for prenatal checkups every two weeks. After the 36th week, you will have to go every week for prenatal checkups.

During the prenatal check ups, the physician will examine the fetal heartbeat, growth, development and position. The obstetrician will also examine the height of the fetus. The mother’s blood pressure, weight, and temperature will also be checked. A urine test will be conducted to detect the presence of albumin (a protein) and sugar. Presence of albumin might indicate toxemia or preeclampsia. Presence of sugar might indicate the presence of condition called hyperglycemia.

The visits to the obstetrician will not only ensure a healthy third trimester pregnancy, but will also calm any fears that you or your partner might be carrying.