Preparing your body in a positive way for pregnancy can increase your chances of conceiving and ensuring that you are in good health will increase your chances of having a complication-free pregnancy and delivering a healthy baby. If you are trying to become pregnant, it is very important than ever to take care of yourself both physically and emotionally.
Here are specific ways to positively prepare your body for pregnancy and your chances of having a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby will increase greatly if you follow the guidelines below.
Medical History and Preconception Check-up: The first step in pregnancy planning is to consult your health care provider for a medical check-up in order to evaluate your health and to identify health and lifestyle risk that may affect your pregnancy. Relate to your doctor if you have a chronic medical condition such as diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure (HBP), epilepsy, he will make sure it's under control before you conceive. If you are taking medications, you may be required to change to a drug that is safer which will not cause disabilities to a developing fetus.
Family History: Your health care provider will ask about you and your spouse's family history, if you have any certain birth defects or genetic disorder such as Down's syndrome or cystic fibrosis in your family lineage, you may be required consultation to a genetic counsellor and genetic testing will be advisable.
Tell your doctor what kind of contraception you're using and whether you've had any ovulation or menstruation problems, abortions, miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies and delivery complications.
Be honest and tell your GP if you have contacted a sexual transmitted disease (STD) before. Some infections can harm a developing baby, increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy, infertility, and pregnancy complication. If you are at risk of STD's your health care provider will recommend preconception screening and treatment.
Managing your weight: Before getting pregnant work on achieving a healthy weight, try to be the correct weight for your height and always check your body mass index (BMI). Studies clearly show that underweight women have difficulties in becoming pregnant, so putting on a little weight may help conception.
If you are a little overweight regular exercise helps you to gain the normal weight, cut down on foods high in fat and sugar. Being overweight at the start should not prevent pregnancy but can lead to increased tiredness, and your risk during pregnancy is higher for things such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
Eat a balanced diet: Women who start off their pregnancies with low nutrition stores are at a disadvantage because nutrients needs rapidly increase after conception. Therefore, you should eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and other foods high in calcium such as oranges, milk, broccoli, black beans also include lean meat, liver, lentils, spinach, pumpkin seed, peas and nuts for good sources of iron. Avoid junk foods, too much animal fat and salt.
Take prenatal vitamins: You should supplement your diet with prenatal vitamins and minerals such as folic acid, iron and calcium. Folic acid is very important, it helps decrease your chances of feeling dizzy, or experiencing morning sickness during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, including the prevention of neural tubes defects such as Spina bifida. Folic acid is found naturally in citrus fruits, leafy vegetables, beans, almonds and nuts. Take them at least three months before getting pregnant.
Quit Smoking, heavy drinking of alcohol or drugs: Best is to quit smoking before you get pregnant and watch your exposure to second-hand smoke. Smoking is dangerous to your health and to that of your baby, it is associated with low birth weight, premature births and also linked to sudden infant death syndrome. Avoid alcohol, even in moderation alcohol has been found to reduce the chances of conception and do not take illegal or unprescribed drugs.
Avoid stress and practice relaxation: Great ways of preparing your body positively for pregnancy is to de-stress and enter a calm and cool state of mind. A good exercise routine is great for getting rid of stress.
Are you ready for conception and to share a lovely story about your pregnancy life. Then this positive ways are for you. Take action now because safe motherhood begins before conception.
Comfort Akaehie is passionate about personal growth and women's health issues concerning the miracles of pregnancy and childbirth. She believes in the practice of midwifery and it's advantage to people's lives. She studies and loves to share what she learns with others.