If you?re thinking about being pregnant, here?s what you should be doing to get your body in shape and pave the way for a healthy baby and easier birth.
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Congratulations, you?ve decided to get pregnant. Now it?s time to start preparing your body and lifestyle for getting pregnant. Here are our 8 tips for getting ready.
Time to Watch the Weight
If you?re currently overweight and wanting to be pregnant, it?s time to slim down. Yes, it means you will be able to enjoy a better range of inexpensive maternity clothes for sale in Australia or other countries. But what?s more, research has shown that women who are obese before becoming pregnant are a lot more likely to experience birth defects with their babies. So start a healthy regime right now including exercise and a healthy eating plan.
Another good move for your pre-pregnancy preparation is to avoid fish high in mercury, like king mackerel, tilefish and swordfish. You?ll want to rid your body of this potential toxin since a build-up of mercury could harm your unborn baby.
It is recommended that you start slimming down as much as a year before conception. Or even as soon as you start thinking about becoming pregnant. After all, losing weight the healthy way does take time.
Stub Out the Cigarettes
It?s time for you and your partner to quit smoking. Research has depicted that children who are exposed to smoke in the womb ? be it from their mother or from second hand smoke, are a lot more likely to be colicky kids, overactive toddlers and a lot more prone to ADHD too. It?s even linked to aggressive tendencies in kids. What?s more, smoking during pregnancy actually doubles the risk of an ectopic pregnancy as well as baby being born with a low birth weight.
Aim to stop smoking around 8 to 10 months before being pregnant to give yourself time to give the habit the boot.
Time for a Pre-Preggy Check-up
Before you go shopping for inexpensive maternity clothing for sale, get your pre-pregnancy check-up.
Talk to your doctor about your medical history to make sure you?re ready to be pregnant.
Come up with a plan with your doctor to get any chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure under control.
Have a screening for STDs if your doctor suggests it.
Have a check-up for nutritional deficiencies, immunity to infections and also thyroid function. If you need any vaccinations, schedule them right away as some require that you wait six months before conceiving in order to avoid the risk of birth defects.
Find out if any medications you currently take are safe to take during pregnancy.
Start your medical check-ups as much as 7 months before conception. This will give you enough time to treat chronic conditions and also get any needed vaccinations.
Don?t Forget the Dentist
Both gum infections and tooth decay can harm your foetus. That?s why it?s essential that you ensure your gums and teeth are in tip top shape. If you?re planning to get pregnant, schedule a dental appointment up to 5 months before conception so that there?s enough time to fix any damage or have work done.
Contraception
If you?re taking the contraceptive pill, your body is going to need time to clear those extra hormones from the system before becoming pregnant. Aim to resume regular periods without birth control so you can get a good sense of your cycle before you even start trying to be pregnant. What?s more, throwing out the pill well in advance will assist the endometrial lining with thickening, making it easier for the embryo to implant.
Get rid of your birth control up to 3 months before trying to conceive.
Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins, Especially Folic Acid
Getting enough folic acid ? at least 400 mcg per day ? will decrease the risk of neural tube defects. What?s more vitamins with B6 taken both before and during the first weeks of pregnancy will help you to decrease morning sickness. Zinc will also help to improve fertility when you?re ready to start trying.
Start taking prenatal vitamins 8 weeks before trying to become pregnant.
Say No to Alcohol
Finally, skip the glass of wine with your meal. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can increase the risk of birth defects.
