How To Prepare For Being Pregnant

Catalog Your Family History

Your familys health issues can become your health issues or at least play a part in the way your doctor addresses your questions about fertility.

Certain hereditary cancers, like breast cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer and uterine cancer, can impact fertility. If you know you have a family history in your mother, sister, aunt or grandmother, this information is critical to share with your physician, Dr. Mooney says.

Other health issues may have an impact on your fertility care, too, so tell your doctor if you have a family history of heritable conditions such as:

• Blood clotting disorders.

Having this information will help your doctor make more informed decisions about certain screenings, diagnostic tests and other procedures to help mitigate or minimize complications in getting or being pregnant, Dr. Mooney advises.

Make Space In Your Life

Often clients come to me with the hopes of wanting to bring something new into their lives. When our lives are too full, there is no room for anything new to enter. Too much space can make a person feel anxious, so we tend to busy ourselves with things that are no longer resonating or that we outgrew so we don’t have to feel the discomfort that empty space brings. It’s only by allowing for this space that something new can be birthed.

Watching What You Eat

If you and your partner are preparing for pregnancy, you should look at your diet and see where you may be able to make healthier food choices. Eating a well-balanced diet including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables will help with your chances of conceiving and having a healthy pregnancy.

Learn more about preconception health for women and men.

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Quitting Smoking When Preparing For Conception

You’ve very likely heard by now that smoking while pregnant is not only dangerous for you, it’s dangerous for your developing baby. But research shows that lighting up also hampers your attempts to make a baby in the first place.

Quitting smoking has an instantly positive impact on your health and fertility. Some research has found that women who quit smoking before assisted fertility treatments were just as likely to get pregnant as non-smokers. In fact, the rate of pregnancy complications due to smoking decreases the longer a person has not smoked, says the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.Trusted SourceAmerican Society for Reproductive MedicineSmoking and InfertilitySee All Sources

Cut Back On Strenuous Workouts

Being physically active most days of the week can help a woman’s body prepare for the demands of pregnancy and labor , and has been associated with a reduced risk of fertility problems, scientists reported in the March 2020 issue of the journalHuman Reproduction . But getting too much exercise or doing frequent strenuous workouts could interfere with ovulation,Live Science reported .

Doctors see a lot of menstrual disturbances in women who exercise heavilymeaning to the level of training for a marathon, for instance, or exercise equivalent to the training undertaken by Olympic athletes and a lot of times these women need to cut back on their workouts if they want to become pregnant, Pavone told Live Science.

Related: Can you run while pregnant?

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Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinets

Your medicine cabinet is probably filled with over-the-counter medications you take for headaches, allergies, or constipation, and perhaps a variety of herbal products, too. Now is the time to start thinking about what’s in there. Some of these products contain ingredients that could affect fertility or harm your fetus. A pre-pregnancy appointment is a good time to ask a health care provider about what’s safe once you start trying to conceive.

The Woman’s Monthly Cycle

Ovulation occurs each month when an egg is released from one of the ovaries.

Occasionally, more than one egg is released, usually within 24 hours of the first egg. At the same time, the lining of the womb begins to thicken and the mucus in the cervix becomes thinner so that sperm can swim through it more easily.

The egg begins to travel slowly down the fallopian tube. If a man and a woman have recently had sex, the egg may be fertilised here by the man’s sperm.

The lining of the womb is now thick enough for the egg to be implanted in it after it has been fertilised.

If the egg is not fertilised, it passes out of the body during the woman’s monthly period, along with the lining of the womb, which is also shed. The egg is so small that it cannot be seen.

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Look Into Your Benefits

If you work, consider what you want to do once youve had your baby. Some companies provide paid time-off after you give birth. Others offer unpaid time-off. You may also be able to use sick days or vacation time before you go back.

Check your health plan, too, to see which doctors and hospitals it covers.

Tips For Getting Your Body Ready For Pregnancy

Some women have always known they want to have children, while others arrive at the decision after years of rumination. No matter which category you fall into, one things probably certain: When youre ready to have a baby, youre ready!

But prior to taking the plunge into parenthood or adding another child to your brood its a good idea to pause and take stock. There are a few steps youll want to take, before you even conceive, to give yourself the best possible chance for a normal pregnancy and a healthy baby.

As a board-certified OB/GYN who has the honor of supporting women through their pregnancies and welcoming their babies into the world, I know that preconception health is the foundation of a healthy pregnancy.

Here are some of the most important things you can do to head toward motherhood on the right foot:

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Nourish Your Body With A Fertility Smoothie And A Folic Acid Supplement

Make this fertility-boosting smoothie. It’s also great to ensure you’re getting enough folic acidbest to take at least 400 iu, at least three months before conceiving to help prevent neural tube defects like spina bifda. If you hope to conceive sooner than within three months, keep in mind that the earlier you take folic acid, the better.

Learn Your Family History

Collecting your familys health history can be important for your childs health. You might not realize that your sisters heart defect or your cousins sickle cell disease could affect your child, but sharing this family history information with your doctor can be important.

Other reasons people go for genetic counseling include having had several miscarriages, infant deaths, trouble getting pregnant , or a genetic condition or birth defect that occurred during a previous pregnancy.

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Does Your Weight Before You Get Pregnant Affect Your Pregnancy

Yes. Youre more likely to have health problems during pregnancy if youre overweight or underweight . These problems include:

• Premature birth. This is birth that happens too early, before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Babies born prematurely may have more health problems at birth and later in life than babies born later.
• Birth defects. These are health conditions that are present at birth. They change the shape or function of one or more parts of the body. Birth defects can cause problems in overall health, how the body develops or how the body works.
• Diabetes. Diabetes is when you have too much sugar in your blood. Too much blood sugar can damage organs in your body, including blood vessels, nerves, eyes and kidneys. Diabetes can cause problems during pregnancy.
• High blood pressure . High blood pressure is when the force of blood against the walls of your blood vessels is too high. High blood pressure can cause problems during pregnancy.

Talk to your provider about the right weight for you. Your provider may check your body mass index . BMI is a measure of body fat based on your height and weight. It can help you find out if you need to gain or lose weight. To find out your BMI, go to cdc.gov/bmi. Your BMI before pregnancy helps your provider figure out the right amount of weight for you to gain during pregnancy.

Going Off The Pill To Get Pregnant

How long does it take for the effects of birth control medication to subside? It’s actually possible to become pregnant immediately after going off the pill — as soon as the pill’s hormones are out of your system — although it may take a few months before ovulation begins normally again.

Is it safe to conceive right after you go off the pill? Yes. Women who conceive immediately after going off the pill are as likely to have a healthy baby as women who waited a few months in between.

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How To Prepare For A Baby: Month

Wondering how to prepare for a baby? Whether your pregnancy is planned or unplanned, there is a certain timeline for preparing for baby that you need to follow.

As you prepare for a new addition to your family, it can be overwhelming. There may seem to be so much to do and not enough time to do it, especially if your pregnancy was unplanned. If youre wondering how to prepare for a baby, youve come to the right place.

Every pregnancy is unique, and the preparations that expectant parents will need to make will be unique to their situation, as well. However, how to get ready for a newborn baby does include some common steps, regardless of the circumstances of the pregnancy and the parents.

How to prepare for a new baby will be different at certain stages in your pregnancy, which is why weve created this preparing for baby timeline to guide you. Whether your pregnancy is planned or unplanned, knowing how to prepare for your baby is a key part of being the best parent possible.

Below, find a month-by-month timeline for preparing for your baby and the joys that await you after birth.

Month 1

Many times, parents ask, When should I start preparing for a baby?

The answer? As early as possible.

If your pregnancy is unplanned, you may not even be aware that you are pregnant until you are several months along. However, if you know you are pregnant within your first month, you can take a few simple steps to help you prepare for your new arrival.

Month 2

Month 3

Month 4

Month 5

Go Off Of Your Birth Control

Heads up: You can, in theory, get pregnant within days of stopping your birth control, so dont do it until youre good and ready.

Theres a common misconception that you should be off birth control for a while before trying to get pregnant so that you can get your cycle back, Dr. Mooney says. But in reality, unless your birth control is masking an underlying ovulation disorder, many people can achieve pregnancy relatively quickly after going off contraceptives.

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Try To Maintain A Healthy Weight

Your BMI is a measure that uses your height and weight to work out if your weight is healthy. The ideal BMI before conception is between 18.5 and 24.9.

Being overweight

Having a high BMI can reduce your fertility and increases the risk of complications in pregnancy. Being overweight can also contribute to fertility problems in men .

If you have a very high BMI you may feel like it is an impossible task to reach the healthy range and you may have been struggling with your weight your whole life. Try not to lose heart, bringing your BMI a few points down the scale can make a big difference.There is professional support available if you need it.

Being underweight

If your BMI is in the underweight range it may affect your fertility and cause health problems during pregnancy. It may help to put on weight gradually with a healthy diet. There are many reasons why a person may be underweight. You GP can give you help and advice.

Have A Dental Checkup

The old adage have a baby, lose a tooth, is rooted in truth. Hormonal shifts during pregnancy can take a toll on your oral health specifically, pregnancy can make you more prone to gum disease. Taking good care of your teeth and gums before you become pregnant can help you reduce your risk of experiencing oral health problems when youre expecting.

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Learn About Postpartum Depression

You’ve probably heard of postpartum depression, but you may not know that 10 percent to 20 percent of expectant people experience symptoms of major depression during pregnancy, according to the . This could increase your risk for preterm labor. If you’re feeling unexplainably sad, angry, or guiltyor if you lose interest in activities you usually enjoy or sleep too muchtell your doctor. Therapy, a support group, an antidepressant medication, or a combination of the three will likely help.

That said, not all antidepressants are safe, so be sure to work with a doctor who is familiar with pregnancy-related mental health issues. To search for a prenatal/postpartum support organization in your area, visit Postpartum Support International.

Day : Track Your Cycle

Whether youve been on birth control or not, nows the time to get intimate with your menstrual cycle. Narrowing down the window of when youre most fertile will help you get pregnant faster.

Plus, having an understanding of your cycles will help you discover if anything is off and might need addressing .

Start by simply recording when your period starts and ends to see how the length of your cycle changes from month to month. You can note anything like irregular bleeding and spotting, too. The average menstrual cycle length is around 28 days, but it can range from 21 to 35 days and still fall in the normal, healthy range. There are many apps out there to help you with tracking as well.

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Why Is Kim Kardashian’s Weight Still Up For Discussion On Tiktok

What about vaping? “Although vaping is a relatively new, studies have shown the flavours used appear to harm sperm, with bubblegum and cinnamon flavours having the most impact.”

You should also try to minimise alcohol and caffeine intake as these will impact your fertility. As Dr Tim Child explains: “Research hasnt yet found a strong link between moderate alcohol intake and infertility, although heavier drinking is associated with a decrease in fertility, particularly in men. So, at a time when everyone seems to be telling you to stop everything, if a glass of wine helps you to relax and importantly spend quality time with your partner then go aheadbut keep it in moderation.”

It should go without saying that recreational drugs should be completely avoided. For some people, trying to conceive can be stressful but this wont help you to get pregnant, so try to keep relaxed when you can. Maybe look at your job and how much stress this causes, start to do a little meditation or yoga which can help you focus on your breathing and being in the here and now, and generally look after your mental health.

What other vitamins and supplements are important?The Department of Health does suggest taking a vitamin D supplement when you are pregnant. If you are eating a well-balanced diet then there shouldnt be a need to take any extra supplements.

The Take Away Message

Smoking is hazardous not for just individuals life but also it endangers the possibility to conceive and miscarriages. Men and women, drinking heavy alcohol, smoking and using drugs etc. they themselves are the culprit for their future events. These things harm an unborn baby in the womb itself in a number of ways. Smoking exposes the baby to harmful and hazardous chemicals this in turn, restrict the blood flow of the baby resultant miscarriage happens. By taking drugs not only put you in trouble, but it also cause miscarriage, birth defects or stillbirth. So better is to quit tobacco chewing, cigarette smoking and consumption of alcohol . Males sperm due to smoking and drinking becomes less motile and also the count of sperm decreases in time.

suggestion is that- be spontaneous and passionate to have sexual intercourse with the partner, after all this is the only key point that will likely to get the female pregnant. Have it often and for fun.

Get good sleep and adequate rest dont make yourself so busy that you are not able to plan for a baby. Dont let yourself so hassle and pressurize due to your loaded routine. Snatch time for yourself and your partner, go for a sweet walk, have dinner date, be happy and contended. Say good-bye to stress and negativity.

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Start Taking A Prenatal Vitamin And Folic Acid

Taking a daily prenatal multivitamin three months ahead of conception is a good rule of thumb. Vitamins that prepare you for pregnancy can help ensure that your body has essential nutrients that both you and your baby need from the very start. Look for prenatal supplements that have iron, vitamin C, calcium, and other key nutrients such as:

• Folic acid to help support early fetal development of the brain and spinal cord.* The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all women in their reproductive years take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily, in addition to consuming food with folate from a varied diet.1 According to the American Pregnancy Association, taking enough folic acid every day for one month before conception and during the first three months of pregnancy is the best way to prevent neural defects.2

• Omega-3 DHA, an important fatty acid that helps support your babys brain development* in utero and during breastfeeding.