Health Center - Fertility
Have you been having a hard time getting pregnant? Trouble conceiving can be stressful on both you and your relationship—and the options can be confusing. Learn more about coping with infertility and the many reproductive technologies and specialists available to help. Get the information and support you need to make educated decisions.
5 Ways to Prepare for Pregnancy
Consider the affect of preexisting conditions and current medications on pregnancy
It's a time to consider how you'll treat any preexisting condition that requires medication, such as depression, diabetes or epilepsy. A woman with diabetes, for instance, runs the risk of having a child with cardiovascular disease or other problems if her blood sugar levels aren't well-controlled before and during her pregnancy, says Ms. Reynolds. Plus, certain anti-seizure medications may cause defects in the infant by interfering with a woman's ability to use folic acid. And in late 2005, the FDA warned pregnant women not to use paroxetine (Paxil), a popular antidepressant, during pregnancy because of a potentially higher risk of birth defects.
That doesn't mean you have to stop taking all medications during pregnancy, says Ms. Reynolds. Usually, there are alternatives available that have been shown to be safer during pregnancy.
