| Preconception |
Genetics - For the Health of It!
Sexually transmitted diseases and infectious diseases
Quiz: Are you a genetic genius?
Sometimes
looking for inherited traits can be a fun adventure. It can also be quite
serious, especially when looking at the risk of inheriting health problems.
Planning for pregnancy involves detective work. Some people know their family history well, but for others it involves digging into the past and the present. Knowing your risk of passing on a genetic or medical condition will help you make an informed decision.
“Being an asthmatic became a concern to my partner
and I when we began planning for pregnancy.”
●Consider your own personal history and your partner’s history before planning a pregnancy.
● If either of you suffer from a medical condition, seek the advice of your health care provider. He or she will assess any effect the condition or treatment may have on fertility, pregnancy and the baby. Sometimes a change in medication may be needed, or you may simply require closer monitoring.
● It is also a good idea to talk to your health care provider about your age, any past miscarriages, illnesses or surgeries (especially if the reproductive system was involved).
● The ideal time to discuss these issues and to decide on a plan of action is prior to becoming pregnant.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Infectious Diseases
“From the beginning, my partner and I had very open lines of communication. We both had previous sexual partners, so we decided to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases. You can imagine our shock when we found out I had one. Luckily, it could be treated. Untreated, my fertility may have been affected and our hopes of having a family would have never been realized.”
It is important for you and your partner to discuss potential exposures to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and other forms of infection.
● Some STDs have no symptoms and can be passed on without you or your partner even knowing it.
● If untreated, some of these diseases can lead to problems with fertility.
● Others can create problems in pregnancy or in the newborn. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis B,
herpes, and HIV/AIDS are examples of sexually transmitted diseases.
● Infectious diseases include conditions such as rubella, measles, chickenpox, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and toxoplasmosis, plus many more. The effect upon pregnancy or a baby depends on the specific type of infection and often the timing of exposure.
● Complications such as miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth or serious health problems in the baby are some possible complications.
● Screening for STDs and infections prior to pregnancy allows you to take some action towards either preventing or treating existing conditions. If there is no cure, precautions can be taken to lower the risks.
Are you a Genetic Genius or Infectiously Intelligent? Take this Quiz!
People have devoted entire lifetimes to studying the effect of genetics, medical conditions, infections and other personal factors on reproduction. It is a very complex issue! To increase your awareness, try the true or false quiz below. Remember this is not meant to replace the medical advice of an expert. Discuss any concerns with your health care provider. Quiz answers.
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1 |
Sharing the same ethnic background is not enough reason to seek genetic counselling. It is only when you are blood relatives that you would be concerned. |
T | F |
| 2 |
If a woman has one miscarriage, genetic counseling is definitely recommended. |
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| 3 |
The age of both partners is an important consideration in looking at fertility and pregnancy outcomes. |
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| 4 |
Adult “children” of women given DES (a drug given to prevent miscarriages from the 1940s to the 70s) may have increased chances of infertility and problem pregnancies. |
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| 5 |
Good hand washing can help prevent infections that could potentially harm an unborn baby. |
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| 6 |
If you think you are pregnant you need to stop changing your cat’s litter box and eating rare/uncooked meat. |
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| 7 |
If you had your “needles” while you were in school, you do not need to worry about coming into contact with German Measles (Rubella) during pregnancy. |
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| 8 |
Chickenpox is a harmless childhood illness, which cannot affect an unborn baby. |
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| 9 |
If a pregnant mom with HIV takes a medication called AZT, it decreases the chances of the baby being infected with the virus. |
Okay, it is time to do your detective work. The following activity contains questions meant to guide you in your investigation. Ask your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, or anyone you feel may have answers. Do not forget about each other. You may be surprised what comes out in conversation.
| Female | Male | Comments | |
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Is there a family history of high blood pressure, diabetes, hemophilia (bleeding disorder), heart disease, thyroid disorders, spinal problems, etc.? |
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Are there any family members (cousins included) that suffer or have suffered from diseases such as Cystic Fibrosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Tay-Sachs disease, Sickle Cell Anemia, PKU, some form of mental retardation, etc.? |
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Are there relatives who have had children with birth defects or who died early in life whose cause of death you do not know? |
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Did your mother take a drug called DES (a drug to stop miscarriages) when she was pregnant with you? |
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| Female | Male | Comments | |
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Have you ever had a sexually transmitted disease (STD)? |
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Do you feel that there is a possibility you were exposed to an STD but never sought help for diagnosing or treating? |
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Do you have a history of medical problems such as epilepsy, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, PKU, Lupus, thyroid problems, Asthma, Deep Vein Thrombosis, Cystic Fibrosis, etc.? Are you on medications for these problems? |
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What “over-the-counter” medications do you take for problems (other than the above)? |
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Do you have a history of problems with your reproductive system? Have you ever required surgery for it? |
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Do you have a history of miscarriages, abortions or problem/complicated pregnancies? |
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Have you ever had a stillbirth or a baby who had a birth defect, was seriously ill at birth or shortly afterwards, or died in the first month of life? |
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Have you had a history of cancer requiring treatments such as radiation and/or chemotherapy which may have interfered with your fertility? |
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Are your immunizations up to date? |
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Are you Rh+ or Rh- (a factor that may or may not be present in blood)? What is your partner’s Rh status? |
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Are you more than 34 years old? |
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Were you surprised by your findings? Do you feel that there are issues that should be explored further? If so, write down your concerns. Do not forget to bring them with you when you visit your health care provider to plan for pregnancy.
In conclusion, remind yourself that many factors such as genetic diseases or medical conditions are beyond your control. Protecting yourself, your partner and your future baby from STDs and other infections, however, is within your control!
For the Health of It:
1. March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. (1992). Ask NOAH About Pregnancy. March of Dimes – Genetic Testing and Gene Therapy: What They Mean To You and Your Family. [online] March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. http://www.noah.cuny.edu/pregnancy/march_of_dimes/genetics/genetest.html [1999, Nov. 30].
2. Cefalo, R., & Moos, M.K. (1995). Preconceptional Health Care: A Practical Guide, 2nd ed. St. Louis: Mosby-Year Book, Inc.
3. Ontario Ministry of Health. (1991). Preconceptional Health: Principles and Program Strategies, Mandatory Health Programs and Services. Public Health Branch.
4. March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation and Mosby – Great Performance. (1995). Think Ahead. Is There a Baby in Your Future? Oregon: Author.
5. March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. (1999). Pre-Pregnancy Planning. Factsheet. [online] March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. http://www.modimes.org/HealthLibrary2/factsheets/PrePregnancy_Planning.html. [2000, June 8].
6. March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. (1999, 09). Pregnancy After Age 35. Factsheet. [online] March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. http://www.modimes.org/HealthLibrary2/factsheets/Pregnancy_After_Age_35.htm. [2000, June 8].
7. Milhan, D. (1992). DES Exposure: Implications for Childbearing. IJCE, 7 (4), pp. 21-28.
8. Koren, G. (ed). (1994). Teratogenic Drugs and Chemicals in Humans, Maternal Fetal Toxicology (Chapter #3). 2nd ed. Marcel Decker: New York.
9. Lowdermilk, L., Perry, S., & Bobak, I. (1997). Maternity and Women’s Health Care, 6th ed. St. Louis: Mosby, Inc.
10. March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. (1999, 08). Food-borne Risks in Pregnancy. Factsheet. [online] March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. <http://www.modimes.org/HealthLibrary2/factsheets/Food_Born_Risks.htm> [2000, June 8]
11. Health Canada. (1999). Nutrition for a Healthy Pregnancy: National Guidelines for the Childbearing Years. Ottawa Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada.
12. March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. (1999). Rubella. Factsheet. [online] March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. <http://www.modimes.org/Health Library2/factsheets/Rubella.htm> [2000, June 8].
13. Pilliteri, A. (1995). Maternal & Child Health Nursing (2nd Ed). Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Company.
14. March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. (1999). Childhood Illnesses in Pregnancy: Chicken Pox and Fifth Disease. Factsheet. [online] March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. <http://www.modimes.org/Health Library2/factsheets/Childhood_illnesses.htm>. [2000, June 8].
15. March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. (2000,01). Toxoplasmosis. Factsheet. [online] March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. <http://www.modimes.org/HealthLibrary2/factsheets/Toxoplasmosis.htm>. [2000, June 8].
16. March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. (1999). HIV and AIDS in Pregnancy. Factsheet. [online] March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. <http://www.modimes.org/HealthLibrary2/factsheets/HIV_and_AIDS_in_Pregnancy.htm>. [2000, June 8].
17. Health Canada. (1997,Nov). Perinatally Acquired HIV infection. HIV/AIDS Epi Update.
18. Wellington Dufferin Guelph Health Unit. (Sept,1997). What’s New: The Changing Faces of HIV/AIDS. 1997 HIV/AIDS Newsletter.
For credit of this information, please refer to the preconception home page.
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