A healthy lifestyle and timely consultation with a doctor: how to maintain reproductive health

A person’s reproductive health is influenced by many factors, including the attitude of each individual woman and family, as well as the quality of medical care. So what does it take to maintain it and prepare for the pregnancy you want? What needs to be done to ensure that the younger generation is born healthy and capable of giving birth to the same children? Which environmental factors affecting reproductive health have been of particular concern to physicians recently?

According to the World Health Organization, reproductive health implies a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, characterizing the ability of people to conceive and give birth to children, the possibility of sexual relations without the threat of disease, a guarantee of the safety of pregnancy and childbirth, the well-being of the mother and the health of the child, the ability to plan subsequent pregnancies and prevention of unwanted ones. In simple words, this is an opportunity to conceive, bear and give birth to a healthy child.

– A healthy lifestyle is the main thing. Therefore, giving up bad habits before planning a pregnancy, eating right and normalizing weight, playing sports and spending time in the fresh air, and a good mood are the key to happy parenthood, says Natalya Serzhantova, chief specialist of the main health department of the regional executive committee for obstetrics and gynecology. – It is necessary to visit specialist doctors. If planning a pregnancy six months in advance, and at least once a year, every woman must contact a gynecologist. This will help identify possible acute and chronic diseases of the reproductive system and treat them in a timely manner. It is recommended for a man to visit a urologist, and both spouses to visit a general practitioner for screening for extragenital pathology. It should be noted that in modern conditions there is an increase and rejuvenation of morbidity in almost all classes of diseases, including cancer. Therefore, timely treatment and prevention of complications can significantly reduce the risks of pathology during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period.

– What depends on the girl’s mother in her correct behavior and attitude towards her health?

– One of the factors influencing the state of reproductive function is the prevention of unwanted pregnancy, because its interruption can lead to various complications, including miscarriage and infertility. That is why great attention is paid to the prevention of unwanted pregnancy and abortion, as well as medical and social counseling, so that a woman does not make a decision about an abortion under the influence of emotional experiences or life failures. Each such situation is considered individually by a qualified specialist. It is always possible to choose a contraceptive method correctly and in a timely manner, for which you just need to come to an appointment with a gynecologist. Early sexual activity of the younger generation is one of the most important social problems. As a rule, adolescents do not have sufficient knowledge about sexually transmitted infections and the possible negative consequences of early sexual activity and termination of pregnancy. They undergo regular examinations by a gynecologist, and lectures are given in educational institutions. However, first of all, the upbringing of parents and the example of the family are the key to the health of children. The mother needs to tell the girl in advance about the upcoming menstruation and teach her the rules of hygiene during this period and adherence to the daily routine. It is very important, even before your daughter enters adolescence, to establish a trusting relationship with her, to instill in the child’s mind that with any problems you can always turn to your parents.

– What percentage do statistics assign to the share of men who are responsible for the absence of children in the family?

– Today, of the total number of marriages, about 15% are infertile. If you look at the structure of who is more susceptible to this disease, then we are no different from most countries - about 60% of those suffering from infertility are women and 40% are men.

– Let’s assume that the preventive measures did not work or some external factors intervened, and the young family cannot have a child. Who is eligible for in vitro fertilization (IVF)? What is the algorithm of actions to obtain it?

– IVF is a fairly expensive procedure. Until recently, it was available to Belarusians only on a paid basis. Since 2021, based on the decree of the President of Belarus, married couples who face reproductive problems have the opportunity to make one IVF attempt free of charge. If they are unable to conceive, a married couple turns to the state outpatient health care organization at the place of registration or stay. A medical examination is carried out and, if necessary, treatment is carried out in accordance with clinical diagnostic and treatment protocols.

After this, the presence or absence of medical indications or contraindications for the use of the IVF procedure is established and the spouses submit a corresponding application to the regional commission for the selection of patients for a free IVF attempt. The passports of the spouses must be submitted simultaneously with the application; documents confirming marriage; extract from medical documents.

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