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10 Tips to Prepare for Pregnancy
Author: Angela Heidt
If you are reading this article, then likely you are in the very early stages of planning for a pregnancy. Many women don’t get (or take) the opportunity to research what is needed for a happy and healthy pregnancy until after they get pregnant, at which time several precious weeks have been lost. By planning ahead, you can ensure that you and your body are completely ready for a pregnancy, and that it is as successful as possible.
That being said, don’t feel bad if you are not able to complete all these tips, as your body is an amazing machine and can adapt to all types of situations. Just do the best you can and relax!
Tip #1: Start Early
About one to three months before you plan to get pregnant is a good time to begin preparations. Make an appointment with your doctor for a routine physical and PAP test so they can ensure that everything is ship-shape. Also, talk about going off birth control, as well as any family medical history that you may be concerned about.
Tip #2: Check your Medication
Many medications are safe for developing babies, but some are not. If you are taking any medication at all, you need to clear it with your doctor before you try to get pregnant. By doing this early, you can give your body time to adjust to a change in medication or time to wean off of a medication that may not be suitable for a pregnant mother.
Tip #3: Go to the Dentist
What? That’s right; a trip to your dentist is important before you get pregnant. It may sound funny, but bacteria in your mouth can lead to gingivitis or other issues, which in turn has been shown to result in preterm babies and low birth weights. Plus, if any major work needs to be done, you can get it taken care of before you are pregnant, which will preclude the use of painkillers and anesthetics.
Tip #4: Get Rid of Stress
High stress levels are not your friend when it comes to getting pregnant and having a healthy pregnancy. Now is the time to de-stress and enter a calm and cool state of mind. Figure out what is causing stress in your life and do your best to change it. Yoga, meditation, writing, and exercise all help with lowering stress levels.
Tip #5: Exercise!
As mentioned above, exercise is great for getting rid of stress, but it has many other benefits too. For one, it will make you healthier, and a healthy body is more receptive to becoming pregnant. It can give you more energy and a better night’s sleep, which you will definitely need in the months to come. Start the habit now, and you will have more success with continuing through your pregnancy and beyond.
Tip #6: Cut out the Bad Stuff
You probably know what needs to go: drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. Your body needs to be a shrine of health prior to becoming an incubator for your new baby. By starting early, you can ease off your chosen substance or get help if you need it. Remember that all of these substances are extremely harmful to a developing fetus, particularly in the first weeks of development.
Tip #7: Good Food = Good for Baby
Now is not the time to start having cravings for cheeseburgers and ice cream; instead you should focus on preparing your body for a healthy pregnancy. One thing you absolutely need is folic acid, which can be found as part of a prenatal multivitamin. Also, if you have low iron levels, you may want to start with an iron supplement, which will help give you more energy throughout your pregnancy. At home, focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, calcium, and water. There are tons of resources out there to help you have a nutritionally balanced pregnancy, so make use of them!
Tip #8: Weigh your Weight
Being overweight or underweight prior to trying to conceive can have a significant impact on how quickly you become pregnant, as well as how healthy your pregnancy will be. Since you’ve already learned that exercise and good nutrition are good for you and your baby during pregnancy, hopefully you can become inspired to reach a healthier weight before trying to get pregnant. If you need help, ask your doctor to refer you to a good dietician.
Tip #9: Talk to your Partner
One thing many people overlook when they decide to get pregnant is the emotional factor. No matter how successful your conception and pregnancy are, it will always cause some strain on your relationship. Now is the time to talk it out – so sit down and have a serious discussion with your partner about both of your hopes and expectations for conception, pregnancy, and child raising. Make sure that you have a “what if” plan for contingencies, so neither person ends up shouldering all the responsibility. By doing this you will hopefully remove stress down the road and be much happier!
Tip #10: Do Something You’ve Always Wanted to Do
Having children means putting some things on hold for a few years, sometimes forever. If there is one thing out there that you always wanted to do, but having a child may mean putting it off indefinitely, then do it! Go hang-gliding, learn how to scuba dive, or just take a last-minute flight to a sandy beach. Now is the time to spoil yourself, so you don’t go into your pregnancy with regrets.
One final thought, do you have a support group? Throughout your conception, pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond you will need someone, or a few people, to lean on other than your partner. Find a pregnancy or pre-conception group so you have some people to share the trials and tribulations of your time with. You’ll likely end up with a few new good friends and, hopefully, a few babies for your child to play with later on. Best of luck!
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