'Pre-Conception Counselling": A new concept

Pregnancy and Childbirth are considered to be a blessing by God. At times, pregnancy might be tough but it is a miraculous journey of chances and transformations.

Fit Northeast approached a senior gynaecologist from Guwahati, Dr Dipak Kumar Sarma to know more about the concept of 'Pre-Conception Counseling'.

Initiating his discussion with Fit Northeast, Dr Sarma said that the concept of 'Pre-Conception Counseling' is very popular in western countries.

He said that in the early days, people used to get married at an early age, the ladies used to stay at home and do the household chores and in those days, there was a lack of 'Pregnancy Planning' among the people.

In contrast to those old days, in the present times, people prefer to plan their pregnancies, which have also become a little costlier and people do not like to devote much time to their pregnancy even. In the early days, people used to stay in joint families and everyone used to help the new mother.

Putting emphasis on the issue of pregnancy, Dr Sarma said that the term 'Pre-Conception Counseling' includes the fact that when a woman prepares for her pregnancy, she should be psychologically, mentally and physically fit to start her pregnancy journey.

Special attention should be paid to the patients who have health issues like diabetes, thyroid, underweight (below 40 Kg) or if she has any past history of haemoglobin problem. If such issues are sorted prior to the pregnancy, the pregnancy becomes easy and uneventful.

Concluding the conversation with Fit Northeast, Dr Sarma said that it is always suggested to consult a doctor when the thought of conception comes so that the entire process starting from conception to delivery can be made easy and hassle-free.

Regarding the cost, it was mentioned that the basic price that the total of the entire pregnancy process from conception to delivery takes Rs 2 lakhs.

Many other things matter prior to taking the decision of conception that if a woman will be able to adjust her workload or not if she will be able to take rest or not. A lady needs to be psychologically fit for carrying her pregnancy.

In the medical field, there is a vaccine named MMR vaccine, after 3 months of taking it, a woman can conceive. Some blood tests like hepatitis surface antigen, HIV, thyroid, haemoglobin can be very helpful in detecting several health issues prior to starting the pregnancy.

Ultrasonography is also suggested prior to conception to check the condition of the body prior to conception to detect issues like any tumour.

From 10 to 21st day of the month of one's menstrual cycle are the best days for conception.

Poly-Cystic Ovarian Disease, which is very common nowadays have become a cause of abortion in many. So the detection of such cases prior to the pregnancy makes the pregnancy journey easy.

If all the precautions are taken a minimum of 6 months earlier to the pregnancy, it is good for the mother's as well as baby's health.

Concluding the conversation with Fit Northeast, Dr Sarma said that it is always suggested to consult a doctor when the thought of conception comes so that the entire process starting from conception to delivery can be made easy and hassle-free.