Should one plan pregnancy?
Should one plan pregnancy?
In those days when the “Bahu” got pregnant the elders used to say ‘God has opened his
eyes” and celebrate the event. Even now the concept of planning a pregancy has not
caught up in India. It just happens one fine morning by ‘His’ grace and in a typical
movie setting the “Bahu” faints and the doctor after checking the pulse says
“Congratulations. You have become father” to the innocent looking husband. By the way I
am yet to crack the pulsus pregnantus!….
But in the developed world they often plan the pregnancy. They dont like a baby as a
pleasant surprise or as an accident. In otherwords they use some contraceptive method
from the time of marriage and when the social / financial conditions are suitable they
stop the contraception or plan a baby.
In addition to social and financial factors, there are several other reasons for
planning pregnancy. One such is planning pregnancy from the point of view of preventing
anomalies. Organ formation in the fetus is completed by 5-8 weeks following conception.
However a lady often detects pregnancy only after this (pregnancy test is often done
when periods are skipped for more than 6-8 weeks), thereby missing the golden chance to
prevent anomalies.
Planning pregnancy helps one to take precautions. Avoiding exposure to chemicals,
unnecessary medication, smoking, drinking etc are best practiced during conception
rather than after confirming pregnancy. Folic acid vitamins supplements likewise should
be consumed when one starts planning pregnancy. This helps a long way in reducing neural
tube defects in fetus.
In a country like India, where pregnancy planning is not routine, all married women of
childbearing age, especially the newly wed should take all precautions, so that they are
still protected during conception (before the actual pregnancy test comes positive). So
when you visit a wedding next time, think of gifting the bride a good stock of folic
acid tablets.
Dr. Ramesh Babu
MS, MCh, FRCS Glas, FRCS Edin, FRCS Paed, CCST (UK)
Visiting Professor of Paediatric Urology
Rio children and Maternity Hospital
Madurai
