When Toni Ma reached the age of 33, she knew it was time to start planning for her second child. Already a mother to Eloise (2), Ma would have had another child sooner if not for the pressure of her full-time job. “For me, having a second kid was always the plan,” she said. Her first pregnancy had been relatively easy – Ma conceived in a month, didn’t worry about her health, and worked all the way up to her due date. This time around, Ma is taking control of her health. She claims that if she knew then what she knows now, she would have never been so casual about her first pregnancy. With some help from her physician at Beijing United Family Hospitals (BJU), Ma got a comprehensive health check and the low-down about the second time around.
Everyone Has an Opinion
According to Dr. Warren Brooks, an obstetrician and gynecologist at BJU, the most common mistake potential second-time moms make is listening to untrained people who have little knowledge about the subject but share big opinions. If you have concerns or questions, you should always speak with your doctor first.
Following her first pregnancy, Ma suffers from chronic back pain and admits to getting carried away with the trends. “I read in a book that I was supposed to sleep on my left side, not on my right side [during pregnancy], but it was painful! Then I went to a doctor, and he told me I don’t need to sleep on my left side all the time.” And in an effort to be a fashionable mom, Ma also used a baby sling despite the great pain it caused her back. This time she’ll think twice before caving in to popular opinion.
Get Moving
Overall fitness is important during any pregnancy, but it’s easy for tired moms to forego the gym in favor of an extra hour of rest. Brooks says that walking, gym exercise, or any enjoyable physical activity will benefit both moms, and dads, who are trying to conceive. Keep in mind that it’s important to do the right kind of exercise. In an effort to get fit before her second pregnancy, Ma began a two-month exercise regime of her own design – yoga, swimming, and lots of walking. However, she was surprised to find out that all of this exercise was doing very little to help her body recover from her first child and prepare her for number two. During her consultation, Ma’s physician recommended she keep up her walks but swap yoga for pilates. Her physician said yoga does very little to develop the core muscle strength needed to carry and deliver a baby. “They explained how important core muscles are, and that you need them to care for the baby before and after the delivery,” says Ma. Be safe and get a personal trainer who can instruct you how best to exercise important muscles groups. Remember not to over do it. “Between being a working woman and mom, I need to make sure I don’t exhaust myself,” says Ma.
Eat Wisely
If you take prescription medications, be sure to ask your doctor – before you conceive – how they may affect your baby; he or she may suggest safer alternatives. To reduce the risks of neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly, Brooks recommends all moms take a folic acid supplement prior to conception as well as during the first three months of pregnancy. A healthy diet is also a must. During her first pregnancy, Ma admits, she ate chocolate to get through a busy workday and gorged on large pizzas for dinner. She’s since reformed her ways with support from her doctor. “I have protein, less carbs, less fat, and as many vegetables as possible,” Ma says.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol – even small amounts can affect your chances of conceiving. Include five servings of fruit and vegetables in your diet, and though you’ll need energy-boosting carbohydrates, make sure they’re wholegrain. Calcium, easily found in dairy products, gives you stronger bones and studies have shown women with calcium-rich diets lose their pregnancy weight faster. If you’re a soy drinker, include a calcium supplement in your bedtime routine as it’s best absorbed at night.
Priorities
“You have your car regularly serviced to avoid problems, but surely your body is more important than your car,” says Brooks when commenting on the need for regular health checks. Knowing exactly what’s happening inside her body, and how she can improve her chances of a healthy pregnancy, Ma feels ready to have her second child. “For a lot of people it’s hard to justify spending the cost [on a health check]. I could’ve used the money for an overseas trip, but I still wouldn’t be healthy. Instead, I used the money to find out about and boost my health,” says Ma.
What
Executive Health Examination: includes Pap smear, breast examination, complete blood work, lung capacity test, cardiac stress test ultrasound, medical history consultation and follow-up with a physician.
Where
Beijing United Family Hospital
Cost
RMB 15,340 (women), RMB 13,840 (men)
Contact
Phone: 5927 7000
Web: www.unitedfamilyhospitals.com
Good to Know
Booking must be made three days in
advance. Women should avoid booking during their period. The night before your health check, you can’t eat or drink;
however, BJU provides patients with a meal after the examination. BJU will contact you the day before to confirm your appointment. Set aside a whole day for the check, as it can take a while. Be sure to wear comfy clothes on the day.
