If you are planning a pregnancy we recommend that you prepare for this event. It is a good idea to start with a visit to your general practitioner (GP) to discuss your plans. This discussion could include the following:
Pap smear
If it is more than two years since your last pap smear, make an appointment to see your GP. The new Cervical Screening Test is recommended every 5 years, and replaces the 2 yearly Pap test.
Existing medical conditions
If you have an existing medical condition this may have an impact on your pregnancy and should be discussed with your GP before becoming pregnant. These conditions can include high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, anaemia, cystic fibrosis and heart, liver or kidney disease. You may require referral to an Obstetric Physician.
Existing gynaecological problems
Some gynaecological problems may affect your ability to conceive or cause concern during pregnancy. This includes endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome or pelvic inflammatory disease. Surgical procedures to your cervix or uterus may also cause problems for your pregnancy. You may require further assistance from a Gynaecologist.
Rubella
A rubella infection during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy can result in severe abnormalities for your unborn baby. Please ask your GP for a blood test to check your rubella immunity levels. If you require a rubella vaccination you should not become pregnant for at least 28 days after this injection.
Folic acid supplements
For more information, see section about why folate is important down the page.
Vitamin D deficiency
Women who have little or no exposure to the sun, especially veiled and dark skinned women, are at an increased risk of a vitamin D deficiency. This can lead to osteoporosis (brittle bones) for you, and your baby is at increased risk of developing rickets (a bone disorder).Vitamin D deficiency can also affect your fertility. Speak to your GP about a blood test to check your vitamin D levels.
Dental health
A general dental check before pregnancy is preferred as any x-rays you may require are not recommended for pregnant women.
Immunisation
You should talk to your doctor about whether you are immune to rubella (German measles) and varicella zoster (chicken pox) and consider having these vaccinations. These illnesses can cause serious problems for both your unborn or newborn baby. Your doctor may also recommend flu vaccination and whooping cough vaccination in pregnancy. For further information please ask your doctor or visit the immunisation for pregnancy guide.
Be aware if you require a rubella or chicken pox vaccination you should not become pregnant for at least 28 days after this injection.
Get moving
Regular moderate-intensity exercise helps to maintain a healthy weight before and during pregnancy and has many additional health benefits including:
- lower stress levels
- better mood, less anxiety
- lower risk of diabetes and heart disease
- more energy and better sleep
- better bowel habits.
When you become pregnant the benefits also include:
- less lower back pain
- less nausea
- less heartburn.
How much activity is enough?
To get the most health benefits, aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, preferably all, days. You do not have to do it all at once. Your exercise can be spread over the day, in 10 minute blocks. Try three, ten minute walks or two, 15 minute periods of activity.
What does moderate-intensity activity mean? This means you are exercising at a comfortable pace and should be able to maintain a conversation without being short of breath.
Medications
It is often best to avoid using drugs in pregnancy, whenever possible. However, there are some conditions that can have more serious consequences (for both the mother and child), if they are left untreated. Some medications that may be considered essential to continue throughout pregnancy include treatments for diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, high blood pressure and also treatment for infections.
Herbal preparations
If you are taking any herbal preparations we recommend you tell your doctor about them and your plans to become pregnant. It is important that the ingredients that make up these preparations can be easily identified to allow your doctor to be able to provide adequate recommendations around their safety of use in early pregnancy.
Alcohol
Not drinking is the safest option for women, who are planning a pregnancy, who are pregnant, or who are breastfeeding. For the alcohol and drug information service call 1800 177 833.
Illicit drugs
It is recommended you stop all non-prescribed and recreational drug use. Consult your GP for further advice and assistance.
Cigarette smoking
The effects of cigarette smoking on fertility, pregnancy and your unborn baby are:
- An increased risk of miscarriage.
- An increased risk of preterm labour. Preterm babies are susceptible to infection and breathing difficulties because their internal organs are not properly developed.
- An increased risk of your baby weighing less at birth simply because you smoked.
- A higher risk of complications during childbirth.
- An increased chance of perinatal illness and death (your baby being sick or dying at or shortly after birth).
- A higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
- There is evidence showing that babies who were exposed to smoking during pregnancy may be at risk of having cognitive, behavioural and developmental deficits.
- Smoking can affect male fertility, in particular sperm quality and quantity.
Quitting smoking
If you need some help in stopping smoking, ask your doctor or midwife. You can also contact QUITLINE on
13 QUIT (13 78 48).
Good bladder habits can help improve bladder control and keep your bladder healthy.
- It is normal to go to the toilet between four and eight times a day, and no more than twice at night.
- Do not go to the toilet ‘just in case’. You should only go the toilet when your bladder is full and you feel the urge to go. (Going to the toilet before you go to bed is fine.)
- Take your time when passing urine so that your bladder can empty completely.
- Women should sit to go the toilet. Do not hover over the toilet seat.
- Every bladder problem, no matter how small needs to be reviewed. There is usually always something that can be done. Please talk to your doctor or a physiotherapist if you have any concerns about your bladder health.,
Pelvic floor muscles
Your pelvic floor muscles support your bladder, uterus and bowel and help you to control your bladder and bowel so it is important to keep these muscles strong. There are many reasons why your pelvic floor muscles become weak such as being pregnant and having babies, constipation, being overweight, lifting heavy objects, persistent coughing and getting older.
For pregnant women, pelvic floor muscle training will help your body cope with the growing weight of your baby. Healthy, strong muscles will repair more readily after the birth of your baby.
A physiotherapist can help you with pelvic floor muscle strengthening. To make an appointment to see a Mater physiotherapist please telephone allied health reception on 07 3163 6000.
Breast milk is a unique and nutritionally ideal food for babies. It has a wide variety of benefits for both mother and baby. Breast milk:
- is easily digested and changes to ensure your baby receives what they need at any given time
- has been found to provide some protection against developing diabetes, Crohn’s disease, asthma, allergies, coeliac disease, ear, urinary tract and chest infections, diarrhoeal diseases, some childhood cancers, rheumatoid arthritis and obesity
- provides optimal visual development
- provides babies with optimal dental and jaw development
- significantly decreases the risk of the mother developing breast and ovarian cancer and osteoporosis
- helps your uterus return to normal size more quickly
- can help you return to your normal weight after the birth of your baby.