Preconception Care with Midwife Estee

PRECONCEPTION CARE

Preconception care…. How many reading this can say you’ve heard this term before? 

I know just speaking on my behalf I understood that being healthy was important for pregnancy, but I didn’t know what preconception care was. Getting pregnant with my daughter came fairly easy for us, my husband and I decided we wanted to start growing our family and so we did. Everything was textbook “healthy” from start to finish and so I never once second guessed much along the way. 

After having my daughter I discovered this entire world of birth, fertility, hormonal health and as well as many professionals that spend their time working with women during their child-bearing years. There is so much that can go into conception and how it can affect your pregnancy. That’s why I decided to sit down with a local Midwife and chat all about preconception care!

I want to take a moment to introduce you to Estee Cupo, Licensed Midwife and Owner of Full Circle Midwifery based out of DeLand, FL. Estee truly strives to practice from both heart and mind, meeting my families where they are at and believes that pregnancy and childbirth are normal, biological processes, and she treats it as such. 

Here is her expert knowledge on Preconception Care…

WHAT IS PRECONCEPTION CARE?  
Preconception care is the preparation for getting pregnant. It typically involves a visit to a reproductive health practitioner, a midwife, OBGYN, or even a family doctor. The practitioner may want to do some labs and will ask what your diet, exercise, and general lifestyle looks like to get a picture of your health. They will make a plan with you to possibly improve yourself in order to best prepare your body for pregnancy and beyond.  

WHY IS PRECONCEPTION HEALTH SO IMPORTANT?

Pregnancy changes your whole body. Everything from your hormones, metabolism, immune system, blood volume, etc… are all affected by pregnancy. It can be a hard process on the body and good preconception health can make a difference for your pregnancy and even possibly decrease some of the uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms. If you are the healthiest version of yourself, you will have better outcomes. 

WHO SHOULD BE DOING THIS? JUST MOM OR DAD TOO?

While a dad’s body may not need to get ready to physically support a pregnancy, he can do his part by being healthy to generate healthy sperm and his support in healthful living can make it easier on the birthing person to make changes in lifestyle. The amazing thing is, if a dad starts exercising more and eating in a way that supports his metabolism and body, his sperm will change and be healthier as well. 

WHEN SHOULD THEY START SPEAKING WITH THEIR MIDWIFE/OBGYN?

For preconception care you should start talking to your midwife or OBGYN when you decide you want to get pregnant. Once pregnant even though your care may not start right away you should go ahead and contact a practitioner merely for the reason that they may book up. 

HOW LONG SHOULD A WOMAN WAIT TO CONCEIVE AFTER STARTING HER PRECONCEPTION JOURNEY?  

The length of time a person should wait after starting their preconception care will vary from person to person based on when they feel their body is ready to support a pregnancy. I usually suggest a minimum of 3 menstrual cycles.

WHAT ARE THE TOP 6 THINGS YOU RECOMMEND EVERYONE TO DO PRIOR TO CONCEIVING?

1. Read The Fifth Vital Sign by Lisa Hendrickson-Jack

2. Evaluate your health and what risk factors you might have (such as high blood pressure, diabetes, back pain, trauma, etc…) and work mitigating any of those risks.

3. Watch Business of Being Born

4. If possible, remove stress from your life or things that cause you stress.

5. Think about, plan, and find resources for the postpartum.

6. Pelvic floor therapy with a licensed pelvic floor physical therapist.

Where can you connect with Estee?

Website: https://www.fcmidwifery.com/ Social: https://www.instagram.com/fullcirclemidwifery/    |   https://www.facebook.com/fullcirclemidwiferyflorida