Pregnancy and High Altitude: Planning for a Family in Peru

Question
I have read your answer to the person asking about pregnancy at high altitude but have further questions.  I have been living at an altitude of 3300mt (which is also nearly 11000 ft) in Peru since March this year.  My husband and I would love to consider starting a family but we are aware fo the risks. We know we will be here until at least August 2011 to go the UK for a few months and we may well return for another extended period so this means we need to plan carefully if we are to conceive as we are unlikely to be at sea level for much time.
How long is an ideal time to acclimatise to this altitdue? How do you know when your body has acclimatised sufficiently? What can be done to minimise the risks of miscarriage? You suggested not exercising once pregnant. Would it be ok to exercise if connected to some oxgen source in order to do light exercise during pregnancy (doesn't regular exercise help with labour?)
Also because I live in Peru the doctors here aren't used to monitoring foreigners, what kind of regular tests would I need to have done to check that the pregancy is healthy? What would cause me to have to go down to sea level? Are there any supplements or diet changes that can be made to help my body absorb more oxygen?

Answer
Because you live at altitude, you are acclimated and do not need to worry about oxygen depletion to your placenta or developing baby once you become pregnant.

Acclimating to altitude change is a fairly rapid process, usually taking less than a week or so. You'll notice that after returning to altitude after living at sea level for several months, that moderate level activity like walking up hill, will cause you to breath harder than it used to. Most likely, you will re-acclimate quickly, and you'll be able to tell by your level of perceived exertion. The air will not feel as thin, you won't get breathless as easily.

As to exercise during pregnancy at altitude, as long as you don't get to the point of breathlessness,
then you are OK.

Certainly there are vast differences in prenatal testing and care in western cultures than in Peru. I suggest that if you go to the UK, that you discuss with an OBGYN what tests you absolutely should have, and develop strategies to insure adequate prenatal care when you are in Peru.

As to supplements, start taking prenatal vitamins which contain Folic Acid now, before conception. Consider an iron test too, to see if you need supplementation, as this mineral is key for building red blood cells that carry oxygen.