Things to Consider Before Pregnancy

Thinking of having a baby? There’s a lot to consider before you begin to try. A healthy lifestyle helps set the stage for a healthy pregnancy and there are simple things you can do before becoming pregnant to give baby a great start in life.

Before trying to become pregnant it’s important to consult with your health care provider. Talk to your provider about your current health and they can help you plan what to do before trying to conceive. Starting with a healthy weight, being up to date on vaccinations, discussing any health concerns, and taking proper medications or supplements can make a big difference for your plans to become pregnant. While some women take a few months to start ovulating, others may be fertile the day they stop taking birth control so it’s important to prepare your body as best you can before ending contraceptive use.

Before becoming pregnant, it’s important to consider your current weight. Weighing too much can cause strain on your heart and put you at increased risk for diabetes and hypertension, which can cause problems for you and your baby. If you weigh too little, you may have trouble getting pregnant or be at risk for delivering an underweight baby. Be sure to focus on a healthy diet and eat foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low fat milk and dairy products. Aim for a 2,000 calorie diet before pregnancy and discuss any dietary concerns with your health care provider.

Depending on your health needs, it is important to evaluate all medications, whether over the counter or prescription, before becoming pregnant. Even some over the counter health supplements can affect your ability to conceive and carry a pregnancy to term. You may need to change to a different medicine if you suffer from any chronic health conditions such as hypertension. Some blood thinners, medications that control acne, and antiseizure medications can harm the fetus. If you are using alcohol, tobacco,

or illegal drugs, this is a good time to quit. In addition, your partner should quit using any harmful substances that could lower his fertility, damage sperm or have a harmful effect on the fetus. Fertility can be affected by exposure to chemicals in photography, solvents, heavy metals such as lead and mercury, and some pesticides.

Before stopping contraception, it’s important to start taking 400 mcg of folic acid daily. This B vitamin is important to help prevent birth defects in baby. This vitamin is often included in a multivitamin but it can also be found in dark leafy greens, citrus fruits, beans, and fortified pasta, bread, and cereal. Most women cannot consume enough folic acid through these foods alone and will need to add this supplement to their diet daily before becoming pregnant.