​Planning For Pregnancy

If you are thinking of having a baby, planning your pregnancy may increase your chances of conceiving, and having a healthy and successful pregnancy. Pregnancy planning includes an understanding of the reproductive cycle, preparing your body for the pregnancy and taking care of any medical condition or family medical history which may have an effect on the pregnancy.

As a first step to planning for a pregnancy, whether it is your first pregnancy or you have been pregnant before, it is advised to make an appointment with an obstetrician and gynaecologist to discuss your health and any risk factors that you may have, as well as medicines you may be taking.


In addition, you should do the following:

  • Stop using any form of birth control

  • Reduce intake of coffee, tea and other caffeinated drinks

  • Eat healthy food and cut back on junk food

  • Lose any extra weight

  • Choose seafood carefully, avoiding the type that is high in mercury

  • Get vaccinated against Chickenpox and Rubella, which can be dangerous for the baby during pregnancy

  • Take vitamins and supplements as advised by your physician

Your physician from the Women’s Healthcare Services​ at The Aga Khan University Hospital will go over a detailed health history, including your family history to identify any disease or condition which may affect your chances of conceiving or after that, the health of the baby.

Prepare to discuss these details with your physician, and in addition list out any medication you are on, including homeopathic or herbal medicines, whether taken regularly or sometimes. This information can help your physician identify if your medicines can cause harm to the baby.

It will be ideal to have a preparatory discussion with your doctor if you intend to conceive over the next 3 to 6 months. This will allow you to get a head start on modifying your lifestyle and diet. ​
Your time with your doctor maybe limited, so make sure to prepare for your visit beforehand. Here​ are some general tips to help get you started. 
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At your appointment with your physician, you may be given a physical exam to evaluate your general health. In addition, you may be asked to undergo some blood tests to screen for diseases such as Rubella or Hepatitis. ​


During your pregnancy planning phase, your physician will advise you on the prenatal vitamins, folic acid and iron supplements you should start taking.  If your vaccinations are incomplete, you may be required to get vaccinated to ensure infections are not passed to your baby once you conceive.  In addition, your physician will advise you on all the vital steps you should take to optimize your physical and mental health before you conceive. ​

The Aga Khan University Hospital offers various support services to help with managing or recovering from the disease or condition. These include but are not limited to nutrition, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, specialized clinics and some patient support groups. Your doctor or nurse will advise you accordingly.

The Aga Khan University Hospital offers financial assistance to those who are in need and fulfil the eligibility criteria. For further information, you can contact the Patient Welfare Department. You can find the contact number of the Patient Welfare Department in the ‘Important Numbers’ section on the website homepage.

The financial counselling staff is available during office hours, at the main PBSD (Patient Business Services Department), to answer your financial queries on treatments’ costs and authorize admissions on partial deposit as per hospital policies allow. The financial counsellor in the emergency room is open 24/7. You can find the contact number of the Patient Business Services in the ‘Important Numbers’ section on the website homepage. ​


Your doctor and or nurse will give you specific instructions about the prescribed medication. Please ensure that you take or use the prescribed medicine as advised. It can be dangerous to your health if you self-prescribe. Please inform the doctor or nurse beforehand if you have experienced any adverse reactions to any medications in the past. If you experience any symptoms of drug poisoning, overdose or severe reaction please contact the Pharmacy Service at The Aga Khan University Hospital immediately. You can find the contact number of the Pharmacy Services in the ‘Important Numbers’ section on the website homepage. ​
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​​The information provided on our website is for educational purposes and not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should always seek the advice of your doctor or other healthcare professional provider.