Starting a family

My b/f and I have decided to get married and start a family this year. Any special health check ups and tests to ensure that we have a healthy pregnancy? I am 36 y/o and have had abortions (which I truely regret but that's a different story). Otherwise, I think I am healthy and fit.

I would recommend pap smear and basic blood tests to check your cholesterol and blood pressure (both you and your boyfriend) to check for general overall well being. If you are having regular periods, that is a good sign for your own fertility. i'm not sure how to comment on your health in terms of multiple abortions, but a visit to your OB/Gyn when you get your pap smear done would probably answer a lot of your questions. Also - in a lot of Asian countries, vaccines against the different hepatitis is recommended and you can't get them while pregnant, so figuring out if you have the antiboides is a good thing. (Turns out I need to get vaccinated against Hep B and I didn't and now i'm pregnant so can't.)


start on a basic prenatal vitamin BEFORE conceiving - usually 2-3 months before is good.

Great that you are planning in advance!


Also...


- A women's one a day with 400 mg Folic Acid every day should suffice if you can't find a prenatal vitamin


- stop smoking, drinking, eat healthy (both of you)


- dental check up with x-rays if required


- good exercise routine - yoga, pilates, swimming, whatever you like but the more fit you start the better. This is a nice to have, not a must have. You might need to stop the first trimester, but good to start while you can.


- good health insurance. Allianz covers full maternity and is worth it. IHI is also prety good - contact Neil Raymond at http://www.kwiksure.com, they advertise on this site and are great.


- deciding about where you will live and if you will need a live in helper, etc...


Keep in mind, while many friends may take 6 months or more to get pregnant, others get pregnant the first month they try (we did!).


- don't buy any nice shoes, your feet could grow :)


Congratulations on your upcoming marriage and good luck!