It’s the most wonderful time of the year. December’s colder weather drives us indoors to sit before crackling fires. Old friends and family celebrate the holidays together … and conception rates reach their annual peak.
Indeed, a recent study in Obstetrics & Gynecology has shown that more babies are conceived in December than in any other month of the year.
This makes December the ideal time to begin planning for a new addition to your family. The easiest way to have a healthy, full-term baby is to consider several important pre-pregnancy health factors before pulling out the mistletoe.
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The first step to pre-conception planning is to consult your health provider about any existing medical conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure and asthma. These conditions can negatively impact your pregnancy and the future health of your child. It’s also a good idea to ensure that all of your vaccinations are up-to-date to avoid unforeseen illnesses during gestation.
Unhealthy habits, such as smoking, drinking and illicit drug use should be dropped. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) link smoking to lower fertility levels, preterm deliveries and mortalities from sudden infant death syndrome. Consumption of alcohol can have severe effects on your child’s development even in the first weeks of gestation, so it’s advisable to stay away from the spiked eggnog if you’re trying to conceive.
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It’s also important to develop a healthy exercise regimen before getting pregnant. Daily exercise has a positive impact on fertility and will help you maintain a healthy weight once your baby begins to grow. In fact, a landmark 2007 study published in Human Reproduction Journal concluded that a woman’s likelihood of conceiving declines in direct proportion to the degree to which she is overweight. For every Body Mass Index point above 29, women are 4 percent less likely to become pregnant. It’s also important to begin taking daily prenatal vitamins with 400 micrograms of folic acid at the onset of the conceiving process so that your baby’s neural tube (the area that becomes the brain and spinal cord) properly develops in the earliest stages of pregnancy.
Limiting exposure to unhealthy contaminants is also key. Illnesses can be prevented by regularly washing hands and avoiding the consumption of raw meats and more than 12 ounces of seafood per week. Staying away from pesticides, fertilizers and other toxic substances also helps to ensure optimal physical health.
Finally, it’s important to remain mentally healthy, too. Low stress levels lift spirits and encourage romance - after all, ‘tis the season to be jolly!
Dr. Sheila Garnica is a certified obstetrics and gynecology practitioner at North Fulton Hospital in Roswell.
