Most people know that when they are pregnant, they need to be completely mindful of everything they expose themselves to or put in their bodies. You try to eat healthier, become vigilant about taking prenatal vitamins, and certainly avoid anything that may harm your growing fetus. What many women fail to realize is that preparing your body for pregnancy before conception can significantly increase your chances of having a healthy baby. Not only that, but the healthier you are before becoming pregnant, the easier the pregnancy will be. It can even help with labor and delivery.
The CDC recommends that all sexually active women of childbearing age take a prenatal vitamin with at least 800 mg of folic acid. This way, if you accidentally become pregnant, your baby will have a lower chance of having serious birth defects that often occur in the first few days to weeks after conception. Since many people do not even know they are pregnant until they miss a period or feel a little “off” and take a pregnancy test, stocking up on prenatals ensures you won’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. By the time most women realize they are pregnant, defects like spina bifida may have already occurred.
Steps to Prepare Your Body for a Healthy Pregnancy
It is also important to maintain the best weight possible before you get pregnant. For one thing, when you are at a healthy weight, you are less likely to have health problems such as diabetes, which can complicate pregnancy. Additionally, being at your optimal weight before conception will make it easier to lose baby weight afterward. You will also feel better about yourself throughout your pregnancy. Since you cannot lose weight while pregnant, it is essential to be as healthy as possible beforehand.
Exercise is just as important in preparing your body for pregnancy as eating right. By doing cardio and muscle-strengthening exercises, your body will be better equipped to handle the strains of growing a baby. You will also be able to continue exercising with only minor modifications during pregnancy, which helps manage weight gain and prepares you for delivery. Keep in mind that delivering a baby is not for the weak. It requires strength, stamina, endurance, and a good level of cardiovascular health. You should also start stretching before you become pregnant. Consider taking a yoga class or following a DVD at home. By lengthening your muscles, you will maintain flexibility and help avoid some of the aches and pains of pregnancy caused by muscle strain.
If you smoke or drink, you may be certain you will quit the moment you find out you are pregnant, but putting it off until then isn’t the best idea. Smoking and alcohol consumption (by both partners) can greatly affect your fertility. Additionally, the toxins from smoking can harm your baby. Since you may not know right away that you are pregnant, you could still be smoking during critical early stages of development. Quitting habits can be challenging; while the idea of having a baby might motivate you to stop smoking, you will still struggle with nicotine addiction. You also won’t be able to use cessation medications during pregnancy to ease the quitting process. If you’re like most women, you might sneak a few cigarettes in the early stages when your baby’s development is most critical. Instead of risking all that, just quit. You will feel better about yourself, enhance your fertility, and establish life habits that prepare both your body for pregnancy and your mindset for motherhood.
If you are using any hormonal birth control methods, remember that it is recommended to stop them for at least three months before conceiving. During this time, use another form of protection.
There are other steps you can take to prepare your body for pregnancy. Participating in fertility exercises that enhance blood flow to the sacral and reproductive organs is beneficial. Look up “yoga for fertility” or check with your local birthing center to find an instructor near you. Getting a massage once a week can help release toxins that have built up in your body’s deep tissues. Just make sure to drink plenty of water afterward to flush them out of your system. You should also visit a chiropractor to ensure you don’t have any pinched nerves or blockages that could hinder fertility or cause discomfort once you become pregnant. In fact, seeing a chiropractor throughout pregnancy can be a great way to relieve discomfort.
Additionally, don’t forget to see your regular doctor for routine blood work. An underactive thyroid or other seemingly minor imbalances can cause difficulties in conceiving. A full blood count, a gynecological exam, and a physical examination can help identify any underlying issues that could complicate your pregnancy.
Preparing your body for pregnancy before conception is crucial. Many people aren’t lucky enough to have this option, which can make the first few weeks of pregnancy even more stressful. If you want to conceive, take a few months to ensure that you are in optimal health. After all, you will not only be responsible for your own health and life but also for that of your unborn child.