Dont Smoke Drink Alcohol Or Abuse Street Or Prescription Drugs All Of These Can Harm Your Baby When You Do Get Pregnant
What is preconception health?
Preconception health is your health before pregnancy. Being healthy before pregnancy can help improve your chances of getting pregnant. It also can help prevent pregnancy complications when you do get pregnant. Good preconception health includes getting a preconception checkup and talking to your health care provider about health conditions that can affect your pregnancy. It also includes taking folic acid to help prevent birth defects and making changes in your life that may affect the health of your baby when you do get pregnant.
If youre thinking about getting pregnant, start focusing on your health at least 3 months before you start trying to get pregnant. If you have health conditions that may affect a pregnancy, you may need longer to get your body ready to have a baby.
What is a preconception checkup?
A preconception checkup is a medical checkup you get before pregnancy. It helps your health care provider make sure youre healthy and that your body is ready for pregnancy. The checkup helps your provider treat and sometimes prevent health conditions that may affect your pregnancy. For example, your provider checks to make sure your vaccinations are up to date and gives you any you need before pregnancy.
What is your family health history and why is it important before you get pregnant?
Your family health history can help your provider:
What is folic acid?
Does your weight before you get pregnant affect your pregnancy?
More information
Steer Clear Of Toxins
On a similar note, your list of things to do before getting pregnant should include eliminating toxins. Drugs, alcohol, and smoking are clearly harmful to your baby, but there are others you might not know about, such as vitamin A, found in over-the-counter skin care products. Pesticides and other chemicals can also be dangerous, as can unpasteurized dairy products. Do your research, and consult with a medical professional if you have concerns.
Establish A Regular Exercise Routine
An exercise program is an important part of keeping your mind and body healthy. The American Academy of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week, along with muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days a week.
You might walk or cycle most days of the week, for example, and weight train on a few of those days. To increase flexibility, add stretching or yoga, and you’ll have a well-rounded fitness program. Once you’re pregnant, keep exercising unless you have certain pregnancy complications.
If exercising hasn’t been a priority for you lately, ease into an exercise routine. Start with something tame, like walking 10 to 20 minutes a day. Add more activity into your daily routine by taking the stairs instead of the elevator or parking your car a few blocks away from work.
Learn the best kinds of exercise for pregnancy.
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Here Is Why Its Mandatory To Get A Tetanus Shot During Pregnancy
Written by Debjani Arora|Published : June 16, 2016 2:39 PM IST
There are various tests and precautions that you need to take during pregnancy. One such precautionary measure women are asked to take is a series of tetanus shots during the second trimester of their pregnancy. The tetanus toxoid or TT vaccine is administered during pregnancy with the sole purpose of safeguarding you and your unborn baby from the risk of tetanus. Remember, Tetanus is a life-threatening bacterial disease caused by the toxin of a bacterium called Clostridium tetani.
Why is this considered an important vaccination during pregnancy?
Tetanus affects a person s nervous system and can be fatal. However, vaccinations can help to prevent this deadly disease. The antibodies formed in the body after the vaccination is passed on to the child to give her protection in the womb and also for few months after birth. The tetanus bacteria enter the body through an open wound like a cut, burn, ulcer or due to a scratch or prick. It is always better to take precautionary measures to avert the fatality of tetanus infection.
Adding Vitamin B To Your Diet
As you’d probably assume, because vitamin B comes in eight forms, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a food that will tick all the boxes. That said, there are some food sources that deliver multiple types of B and, consequently, many of the benefits of vitamin B.
Some of the best whole-food sources of B vitamins include:
Beyond that, if you think you need more of a specific B vitamin or if a doctor tells you to up your intake you should dig into that particular form. To help there, we did a roundup of all of the best food sources of different types of vitamin B.
Diet gives you a great place to start when it comes to getting the nutrients you need. But talk to your doctor, too, especially if you’re experiencing persistent fatigue or you eat a vegetarian or vegan diet.
If you have a malabsorption disorder, you are more likely to be deficient in B vitamins. If you are on certain medication, such as Metformin and PPIs , you may also have a higher risk of a B12 deficiency. If you are affected by either or not getting enough of any of these key nutrients, you can absolutely get benefits from taking a vitamin B supplement.
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Double Up On Your Vitamins
If you’re thinking about getting pregnant, take a prenatal vitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid every day. It helps prevent birth defects called neural tube defects.
But don’t take handfuls of megavitamins or supplements. Too much vitamin A, for example, is linked to problems in a growing baby.
Its All About Male Dominance
As the Fatherly report above goes to show, some men are powered by the need to assert their masculinity. Providing, protecting, and procreating are three core cultural dimensions of masculinity, after all.
Some guys, however, take this belief to the extreme. Some, in fact, believe in the context of male dominance or supremacy, which is the hateful ideology advocating for the subjugation of women and rigid gender roles.
And, if your man has this way of thinking, then hell try to knock you up without any rhyme or reason. Thats because, as the article describes it, Many male supremacists reduce women to their reproductive function.
Let me give you an example. Heres what Matt Forney said in his June 2017 blog:
When a man and a woman are attracted to one another, they are seeing the continuation of their tribe and the formation of the next generation
So while you may find his dominance appealing, I say get a grip girl. It might be this dominance thatll reduce you to nothing but a mere breeding ground.
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Check Your Family Tree
Get the scoop on the health history on both sides of the family tree . Its especially important to find out if theres a history of genetic or chromosomal disorders like Down syndrome, Tay-Sachs disease, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, hemophilia, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy or fragile X syndrome.
Start Saving Before You Get Pregnant
Soon, you’ll start socking money away for college, diapers, and all that baby stuff. “But even pregnancy itself can be more costly than you’d anticipate,” says Katina Z. Jones, author of The Everything Get Ready for Baby Book “Even if you do a little at a time, just $20 a paycheck, you’ll feel better knowing you have some type of nest egg set up before you begin trying to conceive. And if you have money left over, you can always spend it on nursery furniture or other baby expenses.”
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Should You Take Vitamin B Every Day
What are the benefits of vitamin B? Now you know: It depends on the type. On the whole, though, all eight vitamins play essential roles in your body.
But that doesn’t mean everyone needs to be taking a B complex. For starters, most people can get the benefits of vitamin B from food.
Talk with your doctor before adding any B supplements into your rotation. If you’re pregnant or vegetarian or vegan, you might benefit from taking B6 or B12, respectively.
Most people won’t overdose on B vitamins because your body flushes them out. Consistently taking B3 and B6 in excess, though, can cause issues.
If you’re not sure if you should take vitamin B supplements, ask your doctor for a blood test. This can identify any deficiencies so you can learn if you need more B — or if you’d just be wasting your money.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
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Talk With Your Provider If You’re Concerned About Trying To Conceive
You may get pregnant as soon as you stop using birth control, or it may take some time. Check out our article on how to get pregnant fast for some tips on predicting ovulation and timing sex for conception.
Most couples trying to conceive get pregnant within six months. There are factors that affect how long it takes, though â such as age and lifestyle habits.
If you’re younger than 35 and have been trying for a year or more, talk with your OB-GYN or a fertility specialist. If you’re 35 or older, talk with your provider or a specialist after six months. They can help you identify what obstacles might be preventing pregnancy and provide guidance for next steps you might take.
Learn more:
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Put Off Starting A Family Too Long
If you’re in your late 30s, you are a little less than half as fertile as you were in your early 20s. A decline in the quantity and quality of eggs and sperm with age makes it harder to conceive.Talk to your doctor about your age and your baby-making odds so you aren’t caught off guard. Men should keep this in mind, too. While the mom’s age plays the biggest role, guys over 50 are less fertile, too.
Your Partner Has Asked Him To
Now I know this may seem like a movie plot, but this guy may try to get you pregnant because your partner has asked him to.
Perhaps your hubby is infertile. Or maybe youre in a same-sex relationship. Either way, pregnancy may be hard for you unless you pay for some scientific assistance
And since the average cost for one in vitro fertilization cycle is more than $12,000, your partner may look for the easy way out, and thats asking this guy to get you pregnant on their behalf.
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Positions Orgasms And Lube
There are a lot of myths about sex, fertility, and how to make pregnancy more likely. Some of these recommend different positions or keeping the hips elevated after sex for a period of time.
Others claim that if the woman orgasms , conception is more likely. Unfortunately, there are no studies that support these claims.
The one thing you should think about is your lubricant. Certain products can decrease sperm motility and viability. These are important when trying to get pregnant.
Youll want to avoid:
If you need to use a lubricant, try:
These products wont interfere with your partners sperm.
Have Sex Every Other Day During The Fertile Window
The “fertile window” spans a six-day interval the five days prior to ovulation and the day of it, according to theAmerican Society for Reproductive Medicine . Every month, a woman is most fertile on these days.
Many women are turning to new technology tools, such as fertility-tracking apps and websites, to help them keep tabs on when they may be more likely to conceive, but a 2020 review in the journalBMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health suggests that there is limited independent research on their accuracy. In a study published in 2016 in the journalObstetrics & Gynecology , scientists analyzed 50 popular fertility-tracking websites and apps with a hypothetical woman, and found that the results varied wildly, with many mistakenly tagging days outside of the fertility window, Live Science reported.
Its also important to note that a report by Colorado State University highlights concerns around digital privacy and period tracking apps in the aftermath of the US Supreme Court overturn of Roe v Wade. Health data collected by these apps is not protected by HIPAA and there is a fear that this data could be used to criminalize women in states that ban abortions. A 2019 KFF survey found that close to a third of American women use a health app to track their menstrual cycles or fertility, so this is an issue of real concern to a large portion of the female population.
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Make A List Of The Positives
Literally, write down everything that you are grateful for. If you can stretch yourself, also write down the things you are able to do now without the added responsibility of a new child. Really try to appreciate your life just as it is right now. It may sound cliché, but it really does work. So much of our obsession and sadness comes from the belief that if only I had a child, my life would be complete.
Believing that your life is wonderful and is unfolding exactly as it should releases you from being stuck in thinking life will not go on if you dont get pregnant. This doesnt mean that you stop hoping for a child, it just means your life is full of other amazing things that you have the time right now to really focus on and appreciate.
Take Vitamins And Folic Acid
Take a vitamin and mineral supplement that includes at least 0.4 milligrams of folic acid.
- Folic acid reduces the risk of birth defects, especially problems with the babys spine.
- Start taking a vitamin with folic acid before you want to get pregnant.
- Avoid high doses of any vitamin, especially vitamins A, D, E, and K. These vitamins can cause birth defects if you take more than the normal recommended daily amounts. Regular pregnancy prenatal vitamins do not have excessively high doses of any vitamin.
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Trying For Pregnancy After 35
5-minute read
Many people try for a baby after 35. Around 1 in 5 pregnant Australians are between 35 and 39 years of age. There are risks and challenges you should know about when trying for pregnancy after 35 years.
It can be harder to get pregnant now than when you were younger. Females are most fertile in their 20s.
If you’ve been trying to get pregnant for over 6 months, you should see your doctor to discuss your fertility.
In general:
- Female fertility begins to decline faster after the age of 30. It declines more significantly after the age of 35.
- Male fertility begins to decline faster after the age of 40. It declines more significantly after the age of 45.
The older you and your partner are, the more likely it is to take longer to conceive. This can also increase the risk of pregnancy complications.
Day : Gather Family Medical History
Your babys health will also be influenced by genetic factors that have roots in your family tree. Before you get pregnant, you may want to ask your parents or other relatives if there are any genetic conditions that run in your bloodline. The same goes for your partner.
Uncover something? You can make an appointment with a genetic counselor to discuss your concerns and get further testing.
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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.
Age Fertility And Conception
The most important factor for the chance of getting pregnant and having a healthy baby is your age. Starting at about age 32, a womans chance of conceiving starts to decline. From age 35, the fertility decline speeds up and by age 40, fertility has fallen by half.
The impact of the males age is less dramatic, but matters too. Men aged 45 and older are less fertile and some health conditions are more common in children with older fathers.
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