Body or Baby Factory?

[Mantidae]

7 Apr 09

An article in my news feed this morning got me thinking about preconception planning (*mini shudder*).  This is a topic I’m somewhat drawn on.  C and I are looking forward to being able to start trying after I finish TBS (about 8 months from now, though the trying will probably really start a month or two (or three . . .) before the end of TBS since we don’t expect it to be instant).  Since we decided when we’d be trying, I’ve grown impatient.  Now that I’ve accepted the idea of having another kid, of having a baby, I don’t like having to wait.  But, on the other hand, there is SO MUCH to learn, read, look into – all while I’m working and then during TBS.  I feel impatient and rushed and nervous all at the same time.

This could have to do with the fact that every time I start looking into it I either don’t want to deal with the number of options or I get bored (there are also a couple of more shallow concerns that come into play, but those really just easier to complain about than more serious concerns).  In light of that I’m taking a very small step forward in my preconception planning by laying out some of the seemingly most common preconception tips and where I stand on them:

1) Folic Acid – this one’s been getting a lot of press lately because it has been shown to be very effective in preventing birth defects like spina bifida.  Recommended amount is 400 mcgs/day.

- I’ve got this one (not that it’s the most challenging).  My daily multi has 600 mcgs.  I just hope you there’s not an upper limit because I probably get a lot of it from food, too.

2.)  Vitamin A – This is one you’re actually supposed to stay away from, it can cause birth defects.  A maximum of 770 mcgs/day limit is recommended unless it’s beta carotene, which is apparently ok.
- I get about this amount (as beta carotene) in my multi.  Even though it seems like beta carotene is ok, it still makes me a little nervous.  There are a lot of other products that companies throw vit A into willly-nilly (like milk, which I drink a lot of).  I suppose if I ever get around to my recommended preconception dr. visit I’ll have to ask about that . . .

3.)  Lay off Smoking and Alcohol – This one’s a little obvious.
- Not a big problem.  I don’t smoke.  C doesn’t smoke.  None of our friends smoke (or, if they do, they don’t do it around us).  My parents and brother do smoke (a lot), but they don’t do it around K, and they damn sure won’t be doing it around me if I’m pg.  I do have a glass of wine with dinner a few nights a week, and a few glasses at social gatherings once in a while, but that shouldn’t be hard to curb (heck, I just did for weeks with the kidney infection and wisdom teeth).  I have to admit I’m not looking forward to going without, though.  I’m banking on that one glass once in a while that docs seem to say is ok.

4.)  No more caffeine – apparently the reason for this is because it impairs iron absorption.
- I also gave up caffeine while I was sick, but that was much more difficult.  I’d like to blow this off and say I don’t intake that much caffeine (about 1 cup of coffee in the am and one pop in the afternoon), but I already have low iron (borderline anemia, nothing at all serious, but something that will most likely be more of a problem if I’m knocked up).  I’m sitting here right now drinking my fancy loose leaf teas (http://www.teavana.com/shop.axd/Default) (C got me a whole set of awesome loose leaf teas and a special pot for my office for Yule/Christmas), and I realize that it is caffeine free.  Maybe this won’t be that much of a problem.

5.)  Body Fat – Women with a Body Mass Index (BMI) below 20 or above 30 have a harder time getting pregnant.
- This one pisses me off.  My BMI never goes above 20.  Even when I put on a little weight, the highest I’ve ever known it to get is 19.  I work out a lot.  I eat really healthy.  I am very fit.  What am I supposed to do?  Become a lazy lump and stuff myself full of alfredo?   I guess I’ll have to leave this one to fate.  My mom has and even lower BMI than I do, and she had 2 healthy babies.

6.)  Exercise and Keep Exercising – rigorous exercise and strong and flexible muscles are good for pregnancy and conception.  Exercise should be continued throughout pregnancy (as we all saw in the Sex and the City movie).
- So apparently I don’t have to become a lazy fat lump to be preg-ready.  Good because I can’t.  Ugh.  I’m just going to say this one is more important, for my life and circumstances, than #5 above.

7.)  Talk to your Parents and Siblings – find out if there are any pregnancy complications or birth defects in your family.
- While this might scare the heck out of my mom, I don’t think it’ll be too bad.  I’m not asking C’s mom.  I don’t want her even suspecting we’re trying.

8.)  Call your Health Insurance Company – find out what’s covered, what’s not, and if there are any requirements of you.
- I’m not ready to deal with this one yet.  A lot of this more technical planning stuff really stresses me out.  I’ve never wanted a hospital delivery because I find them sometimes barbaric (did you know that flat on your back is one of the most painful ways to give birth, but it’s encouraged because it’s easier for the dr?).  And I really don’t want to do it in a military hospital.  A close friend of mine has had three babies in a military hospital, and I can’t figure out why she ever went back after the first.  I’ve never heard of a positive birth experience in a military hospital.  I’m thinking midwife right now, but I have a ton of research to do before I make any decisions on that front.  I really should research my coverage a little, though.  Ugh.

There are a lot more, but I think this post has gotten sufficiently long and boring already.  Any ladies out there have any input on the matters above?