How to Care for Your Body Before Getting Pregnant

Most women are aware that they need to see their doctor or make a lifestyle change when getting pregnant. But there’s something more than starting to make changes since you need to consider other factors like age, ovulation, infertility issues, etc. Fortunately, even if sometimes things seem out of hand, there are measures you can do to help make the process easier.

Consider these top priorities on your to-do-list at least three months before trying to conceive:

1. Visit Your Doctor

Because it takes two to tango, you and your partner should see your doctor for a reproductive health check-up or assessment. Even if you both feel healthy, your physician can talk about issues that can affect your pregnancy. They could be health histories, current medical conditions you may both have, your lifestyle, age, etc. 

Moreover, they would also make sure that your immunizations are updated. Flu, MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), ZVZ ( varicella-zoster virus), and HPV (human papillomavirus) shots are the most common vaccines recommended. Others depend on a woman’s existing health conditions.

2. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Many studies have observed the association between obesity and an increased risk of miscarriage. Along with this, everybody knows that having a healthy weight is one of the keys to conception. Both being underweight and overweight can influence fertility issues. Though many underweight and overweight women have no problem getting pregnant, ovulation issues may arise.

3. Stop Alcohol, Smoking, Drugs, and Limit Caffeine

Female smokers do not conceive as efficiently as women who are non-smokers. It was found out that the infertility rate of male and female smokers is twice the infertility rate of those who are not. As you smoke more every day, there is more infertility risk.

Both alcohol and drugs (not prescribed by your doctor) can make it harder for you to get pregnant, increase miscarriage risks, and higher chance to have a baby with a low birth rate. Cutting down on caffeine intake may also be the best decision. Like tobacco, it would affect your chances to conceive and increase the risk of miscarriage. 

4. Understand Preconception Health and Fertility Issues

Fertility awareness helps a woman to learn when she is likely to ovulate. Preconception education helps a woman understand the risks and benefits of behaviors that can affect her health before, during, and after pregnancy. When she improves these certain health behaviors before conceiving, she reduces risks to the mother’s and baby’s health.

While almost all information is accessible on the internet these days, it’s important that it is from a credible source. Apart from your doctor, you can get expert, trustworthy, and even personal advice from a fertility and preconception care course. 

5. Up Your Nutrients and Take Vitamins and Folic Acid

A well-balanced diet of nutrients will promote the normal functioning of your reproductive system. Ensure to introduce fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and dairy products in your diet. The American Pregnancy Association also recommends consuming more calcium and folic acid, which prevents the risks of birth defects.

Since you need to consume 400 micrograms of folic acid per day, you may take a supplement or eat more citrus, dark leafy greens, legumes, and fortified bread and cereal. Certain foods like yogurt, low-fat milk, dark leafy greens, and even tofu are calcium-rich.

6. Exercise, Rest and Relax

Exercising may help your body deal with all the changes that it will go through during pregnancy and labor. Some women can even safely maintain their exercise routine throughout most of their pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about it if you’re one of them.

If you’re not currently working out, you may try an exercise program for 30 minutes, five days a week, like brisk walking. A study suggests that moderate exercise, including leisurely biking, walking, and golfing, is related to a shorter conception period. Most importantly, try to reduce stress, rest well, and relax more. 

Key Takeaways

Nobody knows your body better than yourself but when trying to get pregnant, your doctor can do a lot to help you with the process. Besides, every woman is different so you can ask any questions you might have. Preconception health and fertility awareness may sound overwhelming but it can help you understand your body more.

Click here for more information about preconception care courses.