Pre Pregnancy Counselling in Mumbai
Pre-pregnancy counselling is a medical consultation you have before trying to conceive, to make sure your body is ready for a healthy pregnancy. It typically covers blood tests, a review of any existing conditions such as thyroid problems or diabetes, folic acid and nutrition advice, and cycle tracking so you know when you ovulate. Dr. Poonam Nautiyal offers preconception consultations in Mumbai for couples planning a baby.
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What pre pregnancy counselling involves
The best time to sort out a pregnancy problem is before the pregnancy starts. A preconception visit gives us a few unhurried months to bring your thyroid, blood sugar, blood pressure, weight and haemoglobin into a healthy range, to review any medicines you take regularly, and to start folic acid early — it works best when begun before conception, not after a positive test. Couples in Mumbai often come in after a difficult first pregnancy or a miscarriage, wanting the next attempt to go differently. That is exactly the right reason to come. Both partners are welcome at this consultation, and it is usually a single visit plus a set of routine blood tests.
What this includes
- Screening and control of existing conditions such as thyroid disorders, diabetes and high blood pressure before you conceive.
- Personalised nutrition advice and prenatal supplements, including folic acid started early enough to matter.
- Genetic screening and counselling where there is a family history of inherited conditions.
- Cycle and ovulation tracking, so you know your most fertile days.
“Dr Poonam has been an angel, a friend, a guide, everything to us in the form of a doctor.”
Frequently asked questions
When should we start pre-pregnancy counselling?
Ideally 3 to 6 months before you start trying to conceive. That is enough time for folic acid to build up, for any thyroid or sugar problem to be brought under control, and for lifestyle changes to take effect.
What tests are done in a preconception checkup?
The usual set is a complete blood count, thyroid profile, blood sugar, rubella immunity, blood group, and screening for infections such as HIV and Hepatitis B. Additional tests are added if your history calls for them.
Should my husband come too?
Yes, ideally. Around a third of difficulty conceiving involves a male factor, and lifestyle advice on smoking, alcohol, weight and heat exposure applies to both partners. A semen analysis may be suggested if you have already been trying for a while.
Related care
- Infertility TreatmentInfertility is usually defined as not conceiving after a year of regular unprotected sex, or after six months if the woman is 35 or older.
- High Risk Pregnancy CareA high-risk pregnancy is one where a condition in the mother or the baby raises the chance of complications, and so needs closer monitoring than a routine pregnancy.
- PCOS ManagementPolycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS, also commonly called PCOD in India) is a hormonal condition in which the ovaries do not release an egg regularly, causing irregular or missed periods, weight gain, acne, excess facial or body hair, and difficulty conceiving.