If you are planning to start (or add an exciting addition to) your family, there are many things you should consider or do before actually getting pregnant. Preparing your body for a baby is equally as important as prenatal care, and can begin as soon as you make the decision to try to conceive. If having a baby is something that unfortunately feels like an out-of-reach dream for you and your spouse, more modern fertility treatments, such as tuboplasty, are available than ever before.
Here are 5 simple tips for preparing for pregnancy.
Visit a Doctor
While this might sound like a no-brainer for some, many patients do not visit their doctor for the first time to discuss having a baby until after they are already pregnant. Even if you think you are healthy enough for pregnancy, your doctor can help you assess all potential risks and factors to further help you prepare. You may also need to receive blood tests or vaccines, which you are not eligible for once you are pregnant but are necessary for protecting your body and keeping you, and your future child, healthy. You should also speak to your doctor about any supplements or medications you are taking that could potentially need to be changed to avoid posing risks to an unborn baby.
Stop Smoking and Drinking
If you are someone who currently smokes consumes alcohol, you should quit both before you get pregnant to keep your body in the best possible shape and to reduce the risk of complications or miscarriage, which can happen as a result of both smoking and drinking. Alcohol can also lead to birth defects such as intellectual disabilities or physical deformities. Smoking cigarettes can lead to serious health complications later in life for your child and can lead to a longer recovery time after birth for you. Both of these activities should be avoided in the months leading up to pregnancy.
Cut Back on Caffeine
In addition to cutting down on cigarettes and alcohol, you should also cut back on the consumption of caffeine in the months leading up to conceiving your child. Women who frequently consume more than 500 ML of caffeine (about 2 cups of coffee) are likely to have a harder time getting pregnant and are more at risk for miscarriage than those who cut caffeine out of their diet.
Exercise
Having a consistent workout routine for a few months prior to getting pregnant is likely to help your body adjust to all of the changes that it will go through during pregnancy and labor. Women who exercise frequently prior to pregnancy can often safely maintain the bulk of their workout routine throughout the duration of their pregnancy, which can make it easier to get back on track with your fitness and body goals after the baby is born.
Take Vitamins
While you should consult with your doctor to ensure that your daily vitamins and supplements are safe for your body before and during pregnancy as well as for your baby, taking crucial vitamins in the months leading up to conception can have positive benefits such as the reduced risk of birth defects and the regulation of hormones.
5 Tips for Preparing for Pregnancy is a feature post
