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Preconceptional
Quiz
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1. Does smoking cigarettes affect a woman's ability to conceive?
a) Yes
b) No
2. Preconceptional means:
a) to have fixed ideas
b) before conceiving
c) thinking about something before it happens
3. At least how many months in advance should you plan your pregnancy before trying to conceive?
a) 1 month
b) 8 months
c) 3 months
4. Before pregnancy, the health of the father to be is not important
a) True
b) False
5. Being too thin can make it hard to conceive or get pregnant.
a) True
b) False
6. Being too heavy can make it hard to conceive to get pregnant.
a) True
b) False
7. You should consult your doctor before taking any vitamins before getting pregnant.
a) True
b) False
8. Some chronic conditions and medication used by men can affect fertility or cause a miscarriage or birth defects.
a) True
b) False
9. Before getting pregnant you should
a) get your immunizations up to date
b) look for information about pregnancy before
c) stop changing the cat litter
d) all of the above
10.
Chemicals in the workplace can be hazardous to the fetus.
a) True
b) False
"adapted from Algoma Best Start"
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ANSWERS
1.a) Yes - Smoking has been linked to delayed conception and menstrual disorders in women. As well, smoking for the "father-to-be" decreases sperm count and motility and increases abnormalities in sperm, all of which decreases a man's fertility.
Go to question 2 ....
2.b) - before
conceiving. It is important to the health of both mother and baby to plan for pregnancy before it happens.
Go to question 3 ....
3.c) 3 months - In the months before pregnancy, it is important to look into family history for medical or other health issues that may affect the "baby-to-be." As well, lifestyle changes can be made that will improve chances of fertility and healthy development of the baby.
Go to question 4 ....
4.b) False - The health of the "father-to-be" is extremely important to the future health of the baby. Family history of food allergies and chronic disease will impact on the health of the baby. Lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption not only affect fertility but can also affect the health of the father's sperm. Sexually transmitted diseases, for example, can be transmitted to the mother-to-be and can then affect the baby as s/he develops. The father-to-be must be healthy also to support the mother throughout the pregnancy and care for the baby when s/he arrives!
Go to question 5 ....
5.a) True - If a woman is underweight, her ability to conceive may be reduced due to irregular menstrual cycles and poor nutrition. If a woman who is underweight does become pregnant, there are risks to the baby as well - low birthweight, complications during pregnancy and delivery, premature birth.
Go to question 6 ....
6.b) True - If a woman is overweight, her ability to conceive may be reduced due to irregular menstrual cycles and overall poor health. If a woman who is overweight does become pregnant, there is the risk that the mother will develop gestational diabetes. Risks to the baby include complications during birth and high
birthweight. Go to question 7 ....
7.a) True - Not all vitamins or herbal supplements are healthy during pregnancy. It is recommended that women who are planning to get pregnant take a multivitamin containing 0.4 mg folic acid for at least one month prior to pregnancy and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Many vitamins, if taken in extremely large amounts, can be harmful to both the mother and the baby. Some herbal or "natural" supplements can also be harmful to mother and baby. It is extremely important to consult a physician before taking any vitamin or herbal supplement during pregnancy.
Go to question 8 ....
8.b) True - Some medications can alter the nutritional status of the mother by causing nutrient deficiencies; when a mother's nutritional status is very poor, then it can have negative effects on the baby. With fathers, some medications can cause low sperm count and low sperm motility. Some prescriptions as simple as acne cream can have negative effects on the pregnancy when chemical or excess nutrients (such as vitamin A cream) can be absorbed through the skin. Many prescription and over-the-counter medications can build up in the body and be transferred to the baby through the placenta. Always consult a physician before becoming pregnant if you are on any prescription medications.
Go to question 9 ....
9.d) All of the above - Getting your immunizations up to date may be important,. But discuss with your doctor about the safety of immunization related to pregnancy. Looking for information about pregnancy will help you make the right choices to give your baby a healthy start. Changing the cat litter puts mom at risk of toxoplasmosis (also known as "beaver fever"). This is a bacteria in animal feces that can make moms very sick with flu-like symptoms. If a woman is pregnant, there is a 40% chance that she will pass it on to the fetus. Some infected babies develop vision and hearing loss, mental retardation, seizures, and other problems.
Go to question 10 ....
10.a) True - Chemicals, liquids, and even fumes at work can have negative effects on the mother and the baby. Many gases and chemicals increase the risk of miscarriage, fetal malformations, low birthweight, growth retardation, and fetal death. Exposure to environmental hazards also increases risk of illness and decreased fertility of both the mother and father-to-be. Suspected hazards should be discussed with the person responsible for Occupational Health and Safety.
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