Not only does motherhood gives women the opportunity to feel a small baby gradually forming and growing inside her body, but it also gives them a hard experience, the pain of labouring and the happiness of hearing their baby’s first cry.

Doctor Tran Bao Ngoc, Deputy Head of the General Clinic, Da Nang Center for Disease Control, advises on vaccines that need to be given to pregnant women. Photo: THANH TINH

It is not just a “9 months and 10 days” journey

Being a mother is a noble duty of women, but the journey of motherhood is also stressful and arduous. Therefore, in order for the baby to be born and develop in the best way, many couples have thoughtfully planned from the moment they intend to have children.

Mrs Dang Thu Thao and her husband, residing in Hoa Tho Tay Ward, Cam Le District, planned to have a baby after one year of marriage. Therefore, she carefully prepared everything such as health check, gynaecological examination before pregnancy, information about pregnancy, necessary vaccinations for women before pregnancy, and learning more about nutrition, food, and vitamins for pregnant women with the desire to welcome a healthy birth and normal development.

Besides, she was so lucky as she always had the encouragement and companionship of her husband and relatives during her pregnancy journey. After  9 months and 10 days of pregnancy, Mrs Thao gave birth to a beautiful baby weighing 3.5kg.

In another case, Mrs Nguyen Nhu Y, residing in Man Thai Ward, Son Tra District,  didn’t have a smooth journey as Mrs Thao since she had to struggle with serious morning sickness during her first 4 months of pregnancy, severe back pain and her health declined. However, she successfully gave birth to a baby weighing 3.2kg thanks to her great efforts.

Prepare as best you can for pregnancy

The journey of pregnancy and childbirth is an arduous one since the mother's body has to undergo loads of changes during those 9 months and 10 days. Some people even have life-threatening incidents.

As shared by Dr Le Nguyen Nhat Quynh, working at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Da Nang Hospital, the health and condition of the mother greatly affects the health and development of the fetus. Therefore, in order to have a healthy pregnancy, couples should go to the hospital to check their medical history, gynaecological examination, sexually transmitted diseases, and do basic tests as well as receive advice about lifestyle, appropriate diets, regular exercise for the best reproductive health before having children.

On top of that, Doctor Quynh recommends pregnant women have regular antenatal check-ups, at least 3 times during pregnancy. In particular, they must not ignore important antenatal check-up milestones such as  11-13 weeks gestation(measuring nuchal translucency, Double test to assess the risk of Down and some diseases caused by chromosomal abnormalities); 20-24 weeks gestation(ultrasound to examine the anatomy of the fetus, detect major defects in brain, spine, face, heart, abdomen and extremities if any);  24-28 weeks gestation (screening for gestational diabetes); 30-32 weeks gestation (examine the development of the fetus, placenta, amniotic fluid...).

In addition, the body's immune system works less than usual during pregnancy, putting pregnant women at high risk of infection. Among the diseases acquired by pregnant women, some diseases cause only common symptoms, but many diseases are transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy or during childbirth, seriously affecting the health of pregnant women and baby, even causing miscarriage, premature birth or the baby is at risk of birth defects.

As a result, pregnant women should go to the hospital for timely advice and treatment if they experience any abnormal symptoms. Besides, the mother needs to practice healthy living habits, keep a cheerful spirit, and prepare economic conditions to welcome the birth of her beloved child.

In addition to the psychological and physiological preparations, doctors also recommend that mothers need to be vaccinated fully with vaccines before planning to become pregnant to help strengthen the immune system and protect the pregnant mother from diseases. unnecessary danger.

These days, an increasing number of women before pregnancy actively seek vaccination centres for advice and injections. Accordingly, the four most necessary vaccines that pregnant women need to receive are mumps - measles-rubella, chickenpox, hepatitis B and influenza, and vaccines against COVID-19 being added recently.

Reporting by THANH TINH-Translating by T.VY