Get Flu And Whooping Cough Vaccinations
Some infections, such as rubella , can harm your baby if you catch them during pregnancy.
Most people in the UK are immune to rubella, thanks to the uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccination.
If you have not had 2 doses of the MMR vaccine, or you’re not sure if you have, ask your GP surgery to check your vaccination history.
If you have not had both doses or there’s no record available, you can have the vaccinations at your GP surgery.
You should avoid getting pregnant for 1 month after having the MMR vaccination, which means you’ll need a reliable method of contraception.
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.
Get Help For Violence
Violence can lead to injury and death among women at any stage of life, including during pregnancy. The number of violent deaths experienced by women tells only part of the story. Many more survive violence and are left with lifelong physical and emotional scars.
If someone is violent toward you or you are violent toward your loved onesget help. Violence destroys relationships and families.
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Why Is Folic Acid Recommended When Trying For A Baby
Monica Moore, founder of Fertile Health, LLC
Folic Acid is a B vitamin that is used to generate new cells in the body. Research has shown that helps to prevent neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, in the baby when taken prior to, and during, pregnancy. The recommendation by the Center for Disease Control is to start taking 400 µg of folic acid 1 month prior to conception and continue it during the pregnancy. If a woman has had a child affected by a neural tube defect in the past, she should speak with her doctor about increasing the preconception dose.
Preparing Your Body For Pregnancy: What You Should Know
Youve likely heard about some of the key things women should do to keep themselves healthy during pregnancy, but you may not have heard about pre-pregnancy preparation of your body.
It only makes sense that you would want to be in prime condition for getting pregnant. Indeed, the changes you make before you become pregnant are just as important as the changes you make during pregnancy to help ensure a healthy pregnancy and delivery.
If youve decided that the time is right to start trying to become pregnant, there are some straightforward steps you should take to help foster success. Lets talk about some of the most important things to start incorporating into your life, and where you can go in North Jersey for outstanding OB/GYN care.
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How To Prepare Your Body For Pregnancy
This article was co-authored by Rebecca Levy-Gantt, MPT, DO. Dr. Rebecca Levy-Gantt is a board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist running a private practice based in Napa, California. Dr. Levy-Gantt specializes in menopause, peri-menopause and hormonal management, including bio-Identical and compounded hormone treatments and alternative treatments. She is also a Nationally Certified Menopause Practitioner and is on the national listing of physicians who specialize in menopausal management. She received a Masters of Physical Therapy from Boston University and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine.There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 59,260 times.
Prepare your body for the most exciting series of changes it will undergo in its life! Taking care of your body and preparing it for pregnancy is not difficult and it leads to a series of habits that should accompany you not only in this period, but for the rest of your life. Whether you are planning to get pregnant in the next few years, few months or are already in the early stage of pregnancy, this could help you reduce the impact carrying a baby can bring.
Before Or During Pregnancy: Flu And Whooping Cough
Flu and whooping cough are dangerous diseases for newborns and young infants. The flu can also be dangerous for you when you’re pregnant. Getting the flu and Tdap vaccines during pregnancy is considered safe for your fetus. And these vaccines protect both you and your newborn. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends:
- If you didn’t get the yearly flu vaccine yet, get the flu shot before or during your pregnancy.footnote 2 This is especially important if you have a chronic health problem . The intranasal vaccine contains live virus, so it is not used during pregnancy.
- Get a tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis shot before or during each pregnancy.footnote 2
- People who expect to have close contact with your baby should also get the flu and Tdap shots if they haven’t had them. It’s best to get them at least 2 weeks before contact with your baby.
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How Much Weight Should You Gain During Pregnancy
The mother’s pre-pregnancy weight should be taken into account when estimating how much weight gain is appropriate for a healthy pregnancy. Women with multiple gestation pregnancies will need to gain more weight to maintain a healthy pregnancy than those with singleton pregnancies. The Institute of Medicine has issued guidelines for recommended weight gain in women who have a singleton pregnancy. They are as follows:
- Underweight women should gain 28-40 pounds.
- Normal-weight women should gain 25-35 pounds.
- Overweight women should gain 15-25 pounds
- Obese women should gain 11-20 pounds.
Boost Fertility With Healthy Foods
Sounds easy enough, right!? Introducing or maintaining a healthy diet is a great first step to get your body in peak condition for conception. Fueling your body with the right foods will help regulate your hormones and strengthen your body for the amazing pregnancy journey ahead of you.
Foods you should add to your weekly menu as you plan for pregnancy:
Fish – If you dont already include fish in your weekly meal plan, you should! Look for fish with plenty of omega-3s and little to no mercury. Even after conception, omega-3s are an important part of your diet because they help babys brain and eye development. Steer clear of fish with high levels of mercury such as shark, king mackerel, ahi tuna and marlin as they can cause more harm than good.
If fish is something you would rather avoid altogether, fish oil supplements are a good alternative to consider. Learn everything you need to know about fish and pregnancy.
Vitamin C – Adding more vitamin C is great idea to help your body prepare for baby. It also helps the body absorb iron, which is vital for your developing baby and will help you keep your immune system healthy.
Vitamin E – Is thought to help with fertility because it assists with hormonal balance.
Folate – Also known as folic acid, folate is a B vitamin which helps the body build new cells, and can even help prevent birth defects.
Looking for more helpful information? .
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Stop Drinking Alcohol Smoking And Using Certain Drugs
Smoking, drinking alcohol, and using certain drugs can cause many problems during pregnancy for a woman and her baby, such as premature birth, birth defects, and infant death.
If you are trying to get pregnant and cannot stop drinking, smoking, or using drugsget help! Contact your doctor or local treatment center.
Alcohol and Drug Resources
Day 1: Quit Tobacco Alcohol And Drugs
Smoking, using drugs, and drinking alcohol can harm an unborn baby in a number of ways. Smoking exposes your baby to harmful chemicals, restricts blood flow, and may even cause preterm labor.
Drinking puts baby at risk of fetal alcohol syndrome . Using drugs is not only illegal, but it also may cause birth defects, miscarriage, or stillbirth.
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Eat For Two Instead Of One
Part of getting physically fit for pregnancy is eating right, and you should tweak your diet where necessary to ensure youve got your nutritional bases covered. To get the most out of what you eat, cut out foods that are high in fat and replace them with vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Concentrate on foods that are rich in iron and calcium to build your strength from the inside out.
Patch Up Your Relationship And Heal Your Childhood Wounds
If there are problems in your relationship, having a baby will just add salt to the wounds. Patch up what needs fixing before your baby comes, as your relationship with your partner will set the bar for your child’s relationships down the road. We all have issues from childhood that shaped us into the people we are todaysome good and some not so good…If we arent aware of our own wounds, we might unconsciously try to fix our childhood through our children.
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Day : Limit Toxin Exposure
High amounts of toxic exposure can be dangerous for a developing baby. Try to lower your exposure to common offenders by:
- avoiding synthetic fragrances
Here are a few other things you can start doing today:
- make your own household cleaners using water and vinegar
- eat organic foods
- stock up on fragrance-free laundry detergents
- toss makeup products that contain parabens, sodium laureth sulfate, and mercury
- choose fresh foods over canned, which may contain BPA
What Is Your Family Health History And Why Is It Important Before You Get Pregnant
Your family health history is a record of any health conditions and treatments that you, your partner and everyone in your families have had. Its a good idea to start putting your family history together before you get pregnant so you can share it with your provider at your checkup. Use the March of Dimes Family Health History Form to gather information.
Your family health history can help your provider:
- Identify health conditions that run in your or your partners family or ethnic group. An ethnic group is a group of people, often from the same country, who share language or culture. Certain genetic conditions, such as sickle cell disease and Tay-Sachs disease, are more common in people from certain ethnic groups. For example, people who are Ashkenazi Jews are more likely than others to have Tay-Sachs and other genetic conditions.
- Find the cause of a condition you had in a past pregnancy. Your provider may use tests like blood tests or ultrasound to help find the cause of the condition. Getting treatment can lower the chances of you having the same complication in your next pregnancy.
- Treat health conditions before pregnancy. Some chronic health conditions can lead to pregnancy problems and, sometimes, birth defects. Getting treatment before pregnancy for conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, lupus and PKU can improve your chances of having a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
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Take A Folic Acid Supplement
Even if you do little else to prepare for pregnancy, taking a folic acid supplement is essential. Taking 400 micrograms of folic acid every day starting at least a month prior to conception and continuing through your first trimester provides significant protection against serious birth defects, including spina bifida.
Reduce Stress And Get More Sleep To Improve Fertility
Research shows that stress does have a considerable effect on fertility. While you may be thinking that reducing stress levels is easier said than done, it is important to make relaxation a priority in your day. Whether you choose yoga, meditation or a nice relaxing bath, find simple ways to treat yourself and reduce stress. Spend time doing whatever it is that brings you bliss and put everything else on the back burner.
Sleep is another way to help boost relaxation and it can also help you regulate and balance your hormones. An inconsistent sleep cycle can disrupt ovulation, making it difficult to monitor the appropriate window of conception. Just remember that the average adult needs about 8 hours of sleep. If you aren’t reaching the ideal amount of sleep, consider making some adjustments to your bedtime routine – your mind and body will thank you.
Do you have pre-pregnancy questions? Get answers! , now.
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What Else Should We Be Thinking About
Kate Pleace says it’s essential to start saving if you’re considering welcoming a child. “There is lots to pay for during pregnancy and beyond, from bigger clothes to buggies, so having a pot of savings may come in handy,” she said. Kate adds that parenting talk is also essential as it is important to talk to your partner about a variety of parenting issues from the practicalities of sharing childcare to religious views.
Am I pregnant?There are many signs that you could be pregnant, from sensitive breasts to feeling sick, needing to have a wee more often or being more tired than usual. However, only a pregnancy test will confirm if you are pregnant, followed up by an early pregnancy scan, typically around 7 weeks.
My pregnancy test shows positive. What next?First of all, congratulations. Dr Geetha Venkat then suggests you book an appointment with your GP. They will confirm the pregnancy then arrange for you to see a midwife, scans are booked and a care plan is put in place. “Do make sure you continue to keep relaxed and look after yourself and your baby,” she adds.
Take A Prenatal Vitamin
Pavone recommends that women who are attempting to conceive start taking a prenatal vitamin even before becoming pregnant. This way, a woman can find one that’s more agreeable to her system and stay on it during pregnancy, she said.
Another possibility is to take a daily multivitamin, as long as it contains at least 400 micrograms per day of folic acid, a B vitamin that’s important for preventing birth defects in a baby’s brain and spine, Pavone said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges women to take 400 mcg of folic acid every day for at least one month before getting pregnant, to help prevent birth defects.
Getting a head start on folic acid supplementation is a good idea because the neural tube develops into the brain and spine three to four weeks after conception occurs, before many women may realize they’re expecting.
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Minimizing Stress Before Conception
Juggling all the normal stresses of modern living with the happy but huge intent of getting pregnant is enough to get anyone wound up. But all that worrying might actually put a crimp in your pregnancy plans. Stress can delay ovulation and increase the frequency of uterine contractions, which can prevent a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus.
Your plan? Find a stress management technique that you enjoy and work it into your routine on a regular basis. Whether its journaling before breakfast, hitting a yoga class on the weekends or taking a bubble bath before bed, youll feel more relaxed and might just have an easier time getting pregnant.
Lay Off Smoking Alcohol And Drugs
All three activities are undoubtedly detrimental to both you and your baby. Smoking can expose you both to a lot of toxins and reduce your blood flow. It also affects fertility and may cause preterm delivery, miscarriage or even stillbirth. Alcohol can have long-term problems and developmental issues in the baby, and can also put your baby at the risk of foetal alcohol syndrome. Using drugs is illegal and can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, etc. Drugs like heroin and cocaine can even lead to drug-dependent babies. It is wise to ask your partner also to quit smoking in case he does, as smoking is also related to low sperm count. Exposure to smoke is also not ideal, especially during pregnancy. It is also best if you limit your intake of caffeine every day as pregnant women are recommended only 300 ml of caffeine each day.
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