Key Tips On Taking The Best Care Of Yourself Before Having A Baby
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Having a baby not only reflects you and your partner’s love but also shows how wonderful being a parent is.
Conceiving is a great experience. Chances are, the reason that you’re reading this article is that you’re planning to conceive a baby soon. However, you need to know that getting pregnant is not just about having sex; it’s about a lot of preparation from you and your partner. Remember that getting pregnant is a team effort.
Are you ready to start trying to have a baby? If you are, read these key tips on taking the best care of yourself before having a baby that we’ve gathered especially for you.
1. Get yourself and your partner checked out
Since it takes two to tango, you and your partner should have yourselves scheduled for a preconception checkup. Through this, your doctor will be able to help you decide what course of action you should take to make your pregnancy healthy.
During the preconception checkup, you and your health provider will talk about:
- Folic acid
- Health conditions
- Medicines you take
- Vaccinations
- Smoking and drinking habits
- Any misuse of prescription drugs or other substances
- Unsafe chemicals at work or home
- Birth control use
2. You and your partner will be tested
During the preconception checkup, you’ll be tested to see if you’re physically fit for pregnancy or if you’d need special care.
You’ll be tested through a:
- Physical exam
- Pelvic exam
- Pap test
- Blood test
Your physician may also recommend that you see a genetic counselor, especially if there are certain health conditions that run in your family.
3. Clear out your medicine cabinet
Some medicines can affect fertility or a developing baby, while others are important to keep taking. Don’t stop any prescribed medicine on your own.
Review everything you take with your doctor, including over-the-counter products, vitamins and herbal remedies. Medicines your doctor may want to review include:
- NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), prescription or over-the-counter
- Natural or herbal remedies
- Psychiatric medications
- Steroids
- Antiepileptic medications
- Antipsychotics
- Thyroid medications
- Products with hormones
- Chemotherapy
Your doctor can tell you which to keep, which to adjust and which to switch. Medicines for conditions like thyroid disease, epilepsy or depression usually need careful adjustment rather than stopping, because an untreated condition can also harm a pregnancy.
4. Have your mouth checked
When you’re pregnant, you’ll experience hormonal changes, which will increase your chances of experiencing oral health problems.
You may be more prone to gum problems such as gingivitis. To lower that risk, get your oral health checked and make sure you have good dental health.
5. Be safe at work
If you and your partner feel that your work environments are not safe enough, you can talk to the authorities of your companies. Make them understand that reproductive health is as important to men as it is for women.
What to do at work:
- Avoid getting stressed
- Minimize contact with harmful chemicals
If it’s possible, you and your partner should try to take a week off work. This will not only allow you spend time with your partner but will also let you de-stress.
6. Eat to conceive
There are undoubtedly a lot of old wives’ tales of what to eat and what not eat to get pregnant.
But myth or not, eating healthy makes your tummy healthy too.
A balanced diet supports your health before and during pregnancy.
Consume foods with:
- Folic acid
- High- quality protein
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Low- fat or full-fat dairy
Eating a lot of fruits and vegetables will also be helpful.
The CDC recommends 400 mcg of folic acid every day for anyone who could become pregnant, starting at least one month before conception, to help prevent neural tube defects.
7. Rest more often
When you’re pregnant, you need to get adequate sleep. But you should know that enough sleep is also needed when you’re trying to conceive. If you get enough sleep, your stress levels will also be lowered.
The CDC recommends that adults get at least 7 hours of sleep a night. A regular sleep schedule helps.
8. Watch your weight
You should know that your and your partner’s weight is a big deal when you’re trying to conceive. Studies show that if a woman is overweight, losing weight will improve her chances of getting pregnant.
If a man is overweight, his sperm count could be lower. The same thing will happen if you’re underweight.
Whether you choose to gain weight or lose weight, you need to ensure that you’re at the proper weight for conceiving.
9. Exercise
Adding a little amount of exercise when you’re trying to conceive is beneficial. Research suggests the type of exercise matters.
In a Danish study of 3,628 women planning a pregnancy, moderate exercise was linked to a small boost in fertility. Five or more hours a week of vigorous exercise was linked to taking longer to conceive, except among overweight and obese women.
It will also prepare your body for the changes that it will go through when you get pregnant.
Exercises you could do:
- Walking
- Running
- Cycling
- Swimming
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Weightlifting
Exercise can also lower stress, help you maintain your weight, and help you sleep better. Plus, you can exercise with your partner, so you can bond and become closer to each other.
10. Give up your party lifestyle.
When you’re trying to get pregnant, it’s advisable that you stop consuming alcohol and smoking.
What alcohol does to you:
- Men who consume alcohol regularly have a lower chance of fertilization
- Drinking alcohol regularly will also lower sperm count
- Women who consume alcohol regularly may take longer to conceive
There’s no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy, so stop drinking when you start trying.
What smoking does to you:
- Affects the reproductive process
- Increases the risk of birth complications
- Increases the chances of experiencing miscarriage
- Can make it harder to get pregnant
Smoking and drinking already have adverse effects on your body, even if you’re not trying to conceive.
Final Key Points…
Getting pregnant is a joyous moment for a couple. And it’s sad to say that not everyone is given the opportunity to conceive and have a child. However, if you and your partner have decided to have a child, following the tips above can help you a lot.
These tips can help you maximize your chances of having a baby. The sooner you start making the necessary changes, the better!
If you haven’t conceived after a year of trying, or after six months if you’re 35 or older, talk with your doctor.
Sources
- About Folic Acid, CDC
- About Sleep, CDC
- A prospective cohort study of physical activity and time to pregnancy, Fertility and Sterility (2012)
” Dianna Charles ”
Dianna Charles is a promising young law enthusiast that hopes to bring her youthful spirit in her field. She tries to add a refreshing modern take to topics on the legal world that people can learn from. Dianna enjoys her free time with friends and family, and loves to cook for them.
