How To Prepare Your Body For Pregnancy
If you are planning for a baby, chances are you’re doing everything from your end to make the conception happen. From consulting a doctor to staying informed about your ovulation window, you also need to make sure that you prepare your body for pregnancy. After all, a healthy body gives you a better chance of having a healthy pregnancy and baby. In this post, we list down seven tips to prepare your body for pregnancy. Scroll down to take a look.
1. Consult A Doctor
No surprise there. Consulting a doctor should be the first and most important thing you need to do when planning for a baby. To rule out any complications that may arise during your pregnancy, your doctor will analyze your family’s medical history. Both you and your partner may need to undergo a few tests in case there are any complications, and based on the results, necessary remedies may be suggested. Your doctor may also suggest getting immunization against certain diseases such as chickenpox and rubella three months before pregnancy. In case of any underlying medical conditions, your doctor may get you started on a treatment plan before you start trying for a baby. Lastly, as a general precaution, you may also be screened for any STDs to improve your chances of a healthy pregnancy.
2. Stop Birth Control
Whether you are taking birth control pills, hormonal shots, IUD, or some other form of birth control, discontinue the usage if you’re trying to conceive. Depending upon the kind of birth control that you’re using, it might take up to a few weeks to several months to almost a year for your ovaries to be in a healthy state for conception. Your doctor is the best person to guide you on how to go about it.
3. Follow A Healthy Diet
Follow a healthy diet to get all the nutrients that your body needs. A balanced diet should include fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, pulses, cereals, and nuts, among others. If you are suffering from any health conditions such as PCOD or PCOS, it is important to maintain a healthy weight by avoiding unhealthy food choices such as fried foods and sugary treats. Similarly, if you’re underweight, try to bring your weight to a healthy BMI range. You can also seek help from a nutritionist to help you draw a diet chart based on your lifestyle and food preferences.
4. Start Working Out
Along with a proper diet, a workout routine is also essential to maintain a healthy weight and boost your immunity. Exercise also helps to lift your mood and feel calm. Unless you’re suffering from any medical conditions that prevent you from working out, exercising is a great way to prepare your body for pregnancy. You can start by doing a 15 minutes workout in the beginning and build it up to 30 to 40 minutes over the coming few weeks. Even a 20-minute walk is enough to help you build a stronger and healthier body.
5. Take Your Vitamins
During one of the early visits to the doctor, he/she might get you started on prenatal vitamins to make up for any nutritional deficiency in your body. Your doctor may recommend taking folic acid and iron, among other vitamins, to make sure your body is in a healthy state when conception happens and to reduce the risk of neural tube defects (1).
6. Switch To A Healthier Lifestyle
Exposure to smoking and alcohol during the prenatal period can increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (2). Smoking, alcohol, and drug consumption during pregnancy could have several adverse effects on the developing fetus. So make sure you lay off drugs, alcohol, and smoking and follow a healthier lifestyle.
7. Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is crucial for the overall well being of a person. Being sleep deprived could make you feel exhausted, stressed, and even lower your libido. So make sure you get plenty of sleep, at least 7 to 8 hours a day. If you’re finding it hard to sleep, you could try having a warm shower at night and switching off all electronic devices and gadgets an hour before bedtime.
Trying for a baby can be quite stressful. Hence it’s important to manage your stress and enjoy the process. You could do this by taking some stress-relief measures such as meditation or reading. Ensure you get all the information you need to increase your chances of conception by discussing with your doctor.
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