Author｜A Zhuang
Source｜Medical World Obstetrics and Gynecology Channel
Only when Spring Festival travel tickets went on sale and were snapped up did we belatedly look up from our busy work and feel the approaching end of the year and our growing longing for home.
But along with this longing comes a trouble. Yes, that is:
Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?
When are you getting married?
When should we have children?
...
Behind this series of questions lies the concern, gossip, and underlying anxiety of the older generation. And after being subjected to these "three deadly questions," our anxiety and fear are amplified invisibly.
Out of humanitarian concern, we have gone to great lengths to prepare this "anti-fertility" guide for all you handsome men and beautiful women, striving to arm yourselves with science, to the teeth.
Next, the transfer of power will begin!
Inquiry Method 1: The Method of Recalling Past Hardships to Appreciate Present Happiness
Chatting with my parents during Chinese New Year, they inevitably start to reminisce about how happy we are with our lives now, and then they begin to talk about the past. They'll talk about how difficult things were back then, and they'll also recount the time when I was just born. Of course, at the end, they'll always ask when I'm planning to let them hold their grandchildren.
Solution: Scientific preparation for pregnancy starts with adequate nutrition.
As younger generations, we cannot avoid the fact that the joy of having grandchildren is something all parents desire. However, it is also essential to help parents understand the complexities of healthy childbirth.
Having a baby today is indeed different from before; we face a faster pace of life and greater pressure. With advancements in medicine and increased health awareness, people are beginning to understand that scientific preparation for pregnancy is key to a successful pregnancy.
As the old saying goes, "An army marches on its stomach." Just as preparation is crucial for victory in war, pre-pregnancy preparation is equally important for the "battle" of childbirth.
1. Organize your home medicine cabinet.
Your home medicine cabinet likely contains many common headache, allergy, and cold medications, as well as some traditional Chinese medicine. Now you need to consider your medicine cabinet contents in advance and identify which medications might affect fertility or contain ingredients that could harm the fetus. Once you are pregnant, you must consult a doctor before taking any medication.
2. Change your method of contraception.
This mainly applies to women using oral contraceptives. For some women, ovulation begins almost immediately after stopping the pill, while for others, this process may take several months. Therefore, planning your pregnancy timeline according to your contraceptive method is crucial.
3. Have a dental check-up before pregnancy.
This is to tell you that you need to see a dentist before you get pregnant. Gum disease can be linked to premature birth, so it’s important to make sure you have good dental health before you get pregnant. If you need dental treatment, X-rays, or medication, be sure to get it done before you get pregnant[1].
4. Consider occupational safety.
This issue needs to be considered for both men and women. If your work involves any factors that may hinder pregnancy, such as exposure to harmful chemicals, prolonged standing, or high work stress, you may want to consider talking to your supervisor. For men, it is important to reduce their exposure to harmful substances such as pesticides and chemicals [2].
5. Special cases: Women with chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, thyroid disease, diabetes, epilepsy, heart disease or lupus require careful health management.
For women with diabetes, the chances of getting pregnant increase if they can control their blood sugar before conception. Preconception checkups should include diabetes testing if your doctor suspects you may be at risk. Women who are being treated for depression or anxiety, or who have struggled with mood disorders in the past, should also receive special care.
After saying that, wouldn't parents also find preparing for pregnancy troublesome?
Inquiry Method Two: Split-up Strategy
We often encounter situations where we are asked separately about when we plan to have a baby. In these situations, it's crucial to explain to the parents that "having a baby is a joint effort, and we are both working on it."
Solution: Having a baby is a matter for two people; they express their determination and share the blame.
Preparing for pregnancy requires effort from both partners.
The issue of smoking alone requires a joint effort from both sides. Studies show that women who smoke have lower fertility rates and face an increased risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, and low birth weight. Children of mothers who smoke are at higher risk of many health problems, including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Even if you are a non-smoker but your partner is, it’s time to tell him to quit. Recent studies have concluded that there is not much difference between a mother who smokes and a mother who has been exposed to secondhand smoke for the fetus[3].
In addition, preconception check-ups are also very important. This check-up is not only for women, but also for men[4]. Through reproductive system examination and blood tests, some infectious diseases that can lead to infertility and fetal abnormalities can be ruled out. For example, male syphilis infection can be directly introduced into the fertilized egg by sperm, causing miscarriage, stillbirth, fetal malformation, etc. After male infection with herpes simplex virus, it is easy to cause prostatitis, which can lead to semen non-liquefaction and affect the physiological function of accessory gland secretions, resulting in infertility.
At the same time, lifestyle habits also need to be adjusted. For men, reducing late nights, alcohol consumption, and excessive fatigue, while maintaining a light diet, controlling weight, and avoiding high-fat and high-sugar diets, all help protect fertility.
At this time, men should also take on “manly duties.” For example, using paint, solvents or insecticides; cleaning cat boxes or rodent cages. It is also important to change to cooler and more breathable underwear, avoid putting laptops on your lap, and avoid cycling for more than two hours a week.[5]
For women, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding being underweight or overweight can help prevent high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, macrosomia, premature birth, and low birth weight. Maintaining regular exercise habits can reduce the likelihood of sleep problems, anxiety, or depression during pregnancy [6].
After saying that, how could Mom and Dad still have the nerve to keep asking about my reluctance to part with you?
Method 3: Asking whether you'll have a boy or a girl, the real intention is not what it seems.
Typically, besides directly asking to have grandchildren, parents will subtly hint at it. It's also crucial to explain to elders that the baby's health is greatly influenced by the mother's mood.
Answer: Being a happy pregnant mother is more important.
Studies show that up to 33% of women experience clinical depression or anxiety at some point during pregnancy, but less than 20% of them seek treatment, and treatment is often inadequate.
In December 2018, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued a policy statement stating that physicians should screen for depression during pregnancy to protect the baby's health.[7]
The mother’s psychological state affects not only herself, but also her family[8].
First, if the mother is in a poor mental state, experiencing postpartum depression and anxiety, the father is also more likely to suffer from depression, which can lead to strained family relationships.
Mothers themselves may also experience anxiety or depression that affects their breastfeeding and their response to their children, thus harming their own health[9].
Maternal depression during infancy can also affect a child's development. As children grow older, those of mothers who do not receive treatment often exhibit poor self-control, poor peer relationships, frequent school problems, and increased aggression.
The statement also said that women should be screened for depression after their babies are born—especially when they reach 1, 2, 4, and 6 months postpartum. At these times, strong family support becomes crucial.
After saying all that, would your parents still be willing to put pressure on you?
By giving examples and explaining the reasons, parents might understand how difficult childbirth is for us today, and how it differs from the past. While science can guide our lives, it cannot diminish love. We need to know that parents' questions stem from concern, and we should use these tips in moderation, avoiding overdoing it. We should also listen to what our parents say. Because we will eventually become parents ourselves, and then we may become the parents our children see us as today.
Finally, I wish everyone a Happy New Year and a joyous family reunion!
References:
[1] Gursoy M, Pajukanta R, Sorsa T, et al. Clinical changes in periodontium during pregnancy and post-partum[J]. J Clin Periodontol, 2008, 35(7): 576-83.
[2] Hoover RM, Hayes VA, Erramouspe J. Association Between Prenatal Acetaminophen Exposure and Future Risk of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children[J]. Ann Pharmacother, 2015, 49(12): 1357-61.
[3] Wagijo MA, Sheikh A, Duijts L, et al. Reducing tobacco smoking and smoke exposure to prevent preterm birth and its complications[J]. Paediatr Respir Rev, 2017, 22: 3-10.
[4] Rahimi R, Omar E, Tuan Soh TS, et al. Leptospirosis in pregnancy: A lesson in subtlety[J]. Malays J Pathol, 2018, 40(2): 169-173.
[5] Mínguez-Alarcón L, Gaskins AJ, Chiu YH, et al. Type of underwear worn and markers of testicular function among men attending a fertility center[J], 2018, 33(9): 1749-1756.
[6] Semeniuk LM, Likhachov VK, Yuzvenko TY, et al. Risk markers of reproductive loss in women with hyperandrogenism[J]. Wiad Lek, 2018, 71(8): 1550-1553.
[7] Earls MF, Yogman MW, Mattson G, et al. Incorporating Recognition and Management of Perinatal Depression Into Pediatric Practice[J], 2019, 143(1): e20183259.
[8] Ma Yuyan, Sang Hongai. Interpretation of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' guidelines for perinatal depression screening [J]. Chinese Journal of Obstetric Emergency Medicine, 2015, 4(3): 166-170.
[9] Albt BTD, Callinan LS, Smith M V. An examination of the impact of maternal fetal attachment, postpartum depressive symptoms and parenting stress on maternal sensitivity[J]. Infant Behav Dev, 2019, 54: 99-107.
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