7 THINGS TO DO BEFORE PLANNING A PREGNANCY

 

7 THINGS TO DO BEFORE PLANNING A PREGNANCY

Before you start trying to have a baby, there are several things that you need to do. These include getting into the best shape of your life, improving your overall nutrition, and learning as much as you can about both pregnancy and parenting in general. This list will walk you through what every expectant parent should do before starting the process of planning their pregnancy.

1) Talk to your doctor

If you're considering becoming pregnant, you must check with your doctor first. Your doctor will be able to offer advice on how often and when you should have sex to get pregnant, what type of contraception is best for you, and any other advice they think may help. 

If your partner has had a vasectomy, talk with their doctor before trying for another pregnancy. A vasectomy can become ineffective over time and some men need surgery again before they can father children again.

2) Start taking prenatal vitamins

If you are planning on getting pregnant, you must start taking prenatal vitamins. There are many types of prenatal vitamins out there, but it is best to speak with your doctor before choosing which one is right for you.

3) Begin tracking your cycles

1. Track your cycles

2. Seek medical advice from your physician or midwife before you start planning for pregnancy 

3. Consider becoming pregnant with the help of fertility treatments, such as intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), or other methods that can increase your odds of pregnancy 

4. Discuss any reproductive health issues with your healthcare provider and create a plan for managing these when pregnant.

4) Quit smoking and drinking

If you smoke or drink, it's important to stop before you get pregnant. Smoking and drinking during pregnancy can cause birth defects, miscarriage, and other pregnancy complications. As soon as you plan on getting pregnant, talk with your doctor about quitting smoking and drinking.

5) Start eating healthy

Eating healthy is one of the best ways to prepare for pregnancy. Even if you are pregnant with twins, it's important not to eat too much or too little food. You also want to ensure you're getting enough vitamin C, calcium, and protein daily. With so many foods available, picking out what might be best for your growing baby can be tough. So we've compiled some of our favorite pregnancy tips for eating healthy!

6) Begin exercising regularly

Exercising regularly is necessary to prepare for pregnancy. Studies have shown that regular exercise can increase the chances of getting pregnant. Exercise also helps with weight loss, which is important because of the increased risk of gestational diabetes and high blood pressure during pregnancy. Plus, it's a good way to relieve stress and combat depression.

7) Reduce stress

Stress can seriously affect your fertility. If you are planning for pregnancy, there are many things that you can do to reduce the stress in your life. For example, take a deep breath when you feel stressed and try breathing exercises like yoga or meditation. You should also make sure that you're not spending too much time in front of the computer screen or watching TV.