When you are psychologically ready for pregnancy, make sure you are healthy to go through this period with minimum problems. The pre-pregnancy preparation will allow you to minimize the risks of birth defects in the fetus as well as premature birth.
To get ready for pregnancy, you should make some changes in your lifestyle and visit your healthcare provider to check your medical history and current health condition to evaluate the possible risks.
Lifestyle Changes for Healthy Pregnancy
The first step on the way to a healthy pregnancy is changing your lifestyle and leaving your bad habits behind.
Please, note that these recommendations work for both male and female partners trying to conceive.
If you smoke regular or E-cigarettes, it’s time to give up this unhealthy habit as nicotine negatively affects the development of the fetus and delays the implantation of fertilized eggs, which makes it more difficult to get pregnant.
Also, you shouldn’t drink alcohol while planning for pregnancy. Scientists have proven that alcohol reduces the chances of conception.
Eating healthy is another important factor preparing you for pregnancy. The abundance of fruit, vegetable, and protein in your diet ensures your healthy weight and the absence of vitamin deficiency.
Being physically active is another thing that will help you get ready for pregnancy better
Being physically active is another thing that will help you get ready for pregnancy better. A good physical shape will positively influence your stamina. Besides, having trained muscles, you’ll be able to reduce the load on the backbone and joints, which significantly grows in expecting mothers.
The Medical Side of the Issue
While managing the lifestyle is the thing you can do without somebody else’s assistance, understanding your medical conditions is impossible without a visit to your health care provider. Therefore, it’s a good idea to have an appointment with your GP.
The task of a doctor is to check your family history for any hereditary health conditions as well as perform the tests and checkups required to prove you are healthy enough to conceive a baby and have a healthy pregnancy.
Checking your blood pressure seems routine, but having high blood pressure during pregnancy may be dangerous for both the mother and the fetus, as this is one of the symptoms of preeclampsia. It’s a life-threatening medical condition that may happen during pregnancy. Therefore, you should take it seriously and stick to the doctor’s prescriptions if there’s anything wrong with your numbers.
Also, it’s essential to exclude the chance you suffer from any sexually transmitted disease as they are much easier to handle before pregnancy.
Your medical specialist will also give recommendations regarding the intake of any medicines. First and foremost, if you use any form of birth control, like mini pills, injections, or intrauterine device, you need to stop doing this.
The intake of folic acid is another important prescription you’ll get from your GP
Its long term intake reduces the risk of neural tube defect, which causes severe nerve damage in the developing fetus. Every year around 3 000 children in the United States only. Globally, this defect affects 300 000 babies.
Depending on the results of your blood tests, your healthcare provider may suggest taking certain groups of vitamins or undergoing extra checkups if anything about your health condition looks worrying to your doctor.
Vaccination for flu and COVID-19 should also be done at the stage of planning a pregnancy. This is related to the increased risks of complications in pregnant women suffering from these diseases.
Preparing for Pregnancy after Miscarriage
If your previous pregnancy ended with a miscarriage, your planning for new pregnancy might need a bit more medical attention. However, the key to success is your positive thinking and belief that this time everything will go smoothly.
When you are psychologically ready for a new attempt, we advise you:
- implement healthy habits into your routine
- in case you know the reasons for your pregnancy loss, discuss the options for reducing the risks with reproductive specialist
The health checkup and routine blood and urine tests are also important for ensuring a healthy pregnancy.
Planning for Pregnancy – Summing up
Planning is one of the basics for you’re your carefree pregnancy. Preparing to take on the responsibility for a new life, you should be responsible for your own health as well. Don’t neglect routine testing and visits to the doctor. By giving enough time to quality planning and preparation for pregnancy, you reduce the risks of getting any health issues when a new life will already be growing inside you.