No Doubt, pregnancy is a life-changing moment for any woman. When you think about having children shortly, it is good to identify your goals and create an action plan well in advance. It will help you to prepare for a healthy, happy pregnancy. There are several tips to prepare for a safe pregnancy, from taking vitamins to what to do with the kitty litter, that can help ensure safe and healthy prenatal development.
Tips to Prepare for a Safe Pregnancy
It is best to get prepared for a holistic pregnancy, and childbirth begins before you become pregnant. Your good health is the guarantee of your baby’s health. And when you and the baby are healthy, you have more choices in childbirth.
Following tips will help you prepare yourself and your body for pregnancy and give you a better chance of having a healthy baby:
1 Schedule a Checkup
You should schedule a preconception checkup for yourself and your partner. It is an examination in which your health care provider will go over issues such as your and your families’ health histories. John R. Sussman, M.D., associate professor in obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, states that it is essential to know gynaecological history. Past pregnancy experiences can be significant in helping them plan healthy pregnancies. It is one of the most critical tips to prepare for a safe pregnancy.
2 Take a Prenatal Vitamin
At the time when you are trying to conceive, start taking prenatal vitamins. It is crucial for your baby’s neural cord, which becomes the brain and spinal cord. It usually develops during the first month of pregnancy. So do remember to get essential nutrients – like folic acid, calcium, and iron – from the start.
3 Break Bad Habits
Intaking alcohol, tobacco or other drugs can lead to significant pregnancy complications. You can have premature birth, congenital disabilities and even death of the infant in severe cases. It is good to visit your local treatment centres and other resources available if you need help quitting any of these substances.
4 Reach and Maintain a Healthy Weight
Women who are overweight have a higher risk for many severe conditions, including complications during pregnancy, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon). Similarly, the underweights are also at risk for serious health problems.The tips to prepare for a safe pregnancy do not include maintaining a healthy weight isn’t about short-term dietary changes. It is all about a lifestyle that includes healthy eating and regular physical activity.
5 Exercise
Staying active is the essential tip to prepare for a safe pregnancy. It is good to reduce stress, control your weight, improve circulation, boost your mood, and sleep better. You can attend a pregnancy exercise class or walk at least 15-20 minutes every day at a moderate pace, in cool, shaded areas or indoors to prevent overheating.
6 Genetic Counseling and Screening
Before getting pregnant, it is essential to know if you’re at risk of having children with specific genetic diseases. You can go through some tests to determine if your child would be at risk of having cystic fibrosis or spinal muscular atrophy.
7 Limit Exposure to Environmental Contaminants
Contamination like chemicals, metals, bug sprays, fertilizers and even animal faeces may damage the reproductive system. These environmental contaminants might be found in the home or specific work environments, making it more difficult to become pregnant. Exposure to these contaminants during pregnancy can lead to complications. It is pretty essential to remember tips to prepare for a safe pregnancy.
8 Check Your Medications
Always consult your doctor before taking any over the counter medicines, supplements, or natural remedies. Even non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen could be harmful. The studies suggest they increase the risk of miscarriage and damage to fetal blood vessels.
9 Maintain Your Mental and Emotional Health During Pregnancy
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health! Depression or anxiety are not reasons to not get pregnant. There are medications to help manage your depression that are also safe to take during pregnancy. Talk to your OBGYN about your options.
10 Drink More Water
When you are pregnant, your blood supplies oxygen and essential nutrients to your baby through the placenta. It also carries waste and carbon dioxide away — which means your blood volume increases up to 50 per cent to handle all this extra activity. So, drink more to support that gain. Drinking water is also helpful to prevent constipation, haemorrhoids, UTIs, fatigue, headaches, swelling, and other uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms. It is among the essential tips to prepare for a safe pregnancy. Find out more about the importance of your annual woman’s wellness exam on
https://womanshealthcenters.com/gynecology-services/annual-exam/
Conclusion
When you step into motherhood, it is always wise to take stock of your health. Preconception health is the backbone of a healthy pregnancy. So taking out time to improve your health and learn about the tips to prepare for a safe pregnancy is always a good idea.
FAQs
1 What are the tips to prepare for pregnancy after 30?
Following are a few tips on how to prepare for pregnancy after age 30:
- Go Off the Pill
- Stop Smoking/ Drinking
- Exercise
- Manage Your Stress
- Maintain a Healthy Diet
- Be Careful about Medicines
2 What is preparing for a pregnancy diet?
It is all about following a healthy diet before you conceive. It can help boost your fertility, lower the risk of congenital disabilities such as spina bifida and even reduce your chances of developing preeclampsia during pregnancy. Your diet before pregnancy will affect your baby’s development in the womb and their health in the future.
3 What are the signs your body is ready for pregnancy?
These include:
- Feeling sick and vomiting.
- Feeling very tired
- Changes in your breasts
- Bladder changes
- Your vaginal discharge changes
4 What is preparing for the pregnancy checklist?
It includes the following:
- Stop using birth control.
- Track your menstrual cycle
- Schedule a preconception checkup
You can book an online appointment at Marham. Pk to consult the best medical specialist.
