So you're ready to have a baby, but how can you support the process until you're pregnant?
It's amazing what our bodies can do. However, there are a few things you can do to prepare for pregnancy. Here are 8 things you can do to get yourself off to the best start…
1. Talk to a healthcare professional - It's always a good idea to seek advice from a professional. Before trying to have a baby, there are some things you may not have considered that a professional would recommend, especially if they know your background and family health history.
2. Weight management - This can be a touchy subject for many women, but being overweight or underweight can play a role in pregnancy. It's important to eat healthy and stay active before pregnancy. There are many avenues for help and advice, be sure to talk to others if you run into problems.
3. Quit smoking - We all know the health effects of smoking, but it doesn't make quitting easy. However, there are many resources that can help, and it's important to use them when trying to conceive.
4. Nutritional Supplements - Vitamins and nutritional supplements can play an important role in everyday health, but they become even more important before and during pregnancy. Folic acid is an especially important one and is recommended for use before pregnancy. It is recommended to start at least one month before conception, and in the first trimester, it can protect the baby from serious birth defects.
5. Get a good night’s sleep – In the crazy, fast-paced world we live in, sleep is sometimes overlooked in big health plans, but it’s an important factor! A good, restful night's sleep gives our body and mind time to recover and positively affects your energy levels and motivation during the day.
6. Dental exam - what do you think my teeth have to do with pregnancy, right? Well, hormonal changes during pregnancy can have serious effects on your oral health and predispose you to gum disease. The best way to prevent this is to keep an eye on your pre-pregnancy dental health and get regular checkups.
7. Exercise - Starting an exercise or starting a good preconception routine is a great way to prepare your body. Not only will your body be stronger to carry your baby stronger, but it will also help you boost your energy levels during pregnancy and possibly support labor. Just 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day can make a huge difference to your overall health.
8. Skip birth control – This may seem obvious, but depending on your type of birth control, it can be a bit more complicated than giving it up. The coils and implants need to be removed by a doctor, and if you are going to stop taking your medication or injections, you should discuss with someone how long it will take for your body to resume its natural circulation.
