Awareness matters: Your baby’s future could be at stake
Community invited to pregnancy health awareness event
Planning a pregnancy offers the opportunity to prepare an optimally healthy foundation for your baby’s future health and development.
Obstetrician gynaecologist Dr Taheera Hassim, who practises at Netcare Sunninghill Hospital, says that in addition to quality antenatal and maternity care, the months leading up to conception are equally important when planning a baby.
“A pre-conception check-up can help identify factors that could impact your pregnancy and the life of your child forever after, empowering you to take proactive steps that can give your little one the best start to maximise their potential,” Dr Hassim says.
| Pic: (Left to right): Obstetrician-Gynaecologists Dr Tinabo Brilliant Ndebele, Dr Taheera Hassim, Dr Heidra Dahms, Dr Kalliopi Kyriazis, and Dr Tom Migiro Mokaya who practise at Netcare Sunninghill Hospital. |
10 tips for planning a healthy pregnancy
- Start taking folic acid supplements at least three months before trying to conceive, as it needs time to build up in your system. This is recommended to help reduce the risk of your baby having spinal defects.
- Start getting into the habit of having a healthy, balanced diet. This not only improves fertility, but it can also have a positive impact on your baby’s future health.
- Cut back on caffeine, found in coffee, tea, cola, chocolate and some energy drinks, well before you plan to conceive.
- Kick the unhealthy habits if you smoke, drink alcohol or use recreational drugs. These can seriously impact the health of the foetus if present in your system when you conceive.
- If you are overweight or underweight, try to get closer to a healthy weight.
- Start a good exercise programme, as this has been shown to improve fertility and makes for a healthier pregnancy and baby.
- Make sure you have had your cervical screening test and screen for conditions that could impact your pregnancy.
- Make sure that your measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination is up to date.
- Discuss any chronic health conditions, your mental health, and all medications you are taking with your medical team well before falling pregnant. Never stop taking medication without consulting your treating healthcare professional.
- Get to know your medical family history and your partner’s and discuss any concerns or previous pregnancy complications with your obstetrician.
The manager of Netcare Sunninghill Hospital’s maternity unit, Sr Lundi Gxaleka, invites the community to attend a healthy pregnancy awareness event, organised under the theme “Know what’s at stake,” to learn more about the value of prenatal, antenatal, and maternity care.
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Community pregnancy awareness event details
Time: 10:00 to 12:00
Date: Friday, 21 February 2025
Venue: Netcare Sunninghill Hospital, West Wing.
Ends.
Notes to editors
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