Planning For Pregnancy

If having a baby is your ultimate goal, then the best thing you and your partner can do is to be well prepared. The better your approach to conception, the better your chances of having a healthy, worry free pregnancy and producing a healthy baby. You’ll want to take a pro-active role in each step of your pregnancy and to be well informed at every step along the way and there are some simple steps you can follow to insure that you are making the right choices for you and your baby.

Once you have decided to try and conceive, the first step should be for both you and your partner to choose a care provider and have a thorough preconception check-up. The doctor will evaluate your health and address any family medical issues and bring your immunizations up to date if necessary. Also, mothers-to-be will want to see their dentist for a check-up.

Your doctor will likely advise you to start taking prenatal vitamins. These should be taken as a supplement to a regular, well-balanced diet. Be sure both you and your partner are eating right and remaining well hydrated and avoid taking any supplements except for prenatal vitamins. Women will also need to reach a healthy body weight before they can successfully maintain a healthy pregnancy. This means you may have to lose or gain weight before you try to conceive. Check with your doctor about what your ideal weight should be.

Along with diet, establish a regular exercise routine. Your fitness level will not only affect your ability to conceive but your ability to maintain a healthy pregnancy and endure the rigors of childbirth. The better the shape you’re in, the better for you and your baby in the long run.

You and your partner will want to immediately cut out all health hazards such as smoking and alcohol and you should reduce your caffeine intake as much as possible. Women trying to become pregnant should also take proper safety precautions, particularly around their work sites, and avoid chemicals, lead and other potential hazards. Also avoid handling kitty litter, as this can lead to toxoplasmosis. Men will want to avoid sitting in hot tubs or saunas during the preconception phase, as this can severely limit sperm mobility.

Be sure to check your health insurance policy and find out what, if any allowances, it contains for conception, pregnancy and childbirth. Now is the time to address any deficiencies in your coverage so that your finances are in shape to handle an expanding family.

Whatever else you do, be sure to relax and try not to pressure yourselves. Conception is one of the most normal and natural processes we can experience, so there is no reason to stress about it. Just take a deep breath and let nature do the rest!