How to Prepare Your Body for Pregnancy?

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Are you and your partner planning to have a baby? Is your goal to experience the healthiest pregnancy? Don’t worry because we are here to help you out.

Pregnancy can be an overwhelming experience, but with the right guidance, it can be the healthiest phase of your life.

Before the actual part where you get pregnant, there are certain steps you need to take to prepare your body, like improving fertility by using natural fertility supplements and bringing lifestyle changes.

Here are a few tips you should follow to prepare your body for pregnancy.

Schedule a Checkup

You and your partner should visit a doctor to discuss preconception healthcare. It is advised that before visiting, you write down all your concerns somewhere so you don’t miss anything. Your doctor might do the following things:

  • Ask questions about your medical history, current health issues, and previous pregnancies if you had one.
  • Refer you to a genetic counselor. Make sure to mention all the diseases and disorders that might be running in your family, like sickle cell anemia, diabetes, Tay-Sachs disease, and Huntington’s disease.
  • Discuss the medicines that you are currently taking. You must take over-the-counter medications for headaches, allergies, and body aches. Some of them contain ingredients that can mess up your fertility and make it difficult for you to conceive a baby. If you are monitoring your ovulation, discuss this with your Dr. A common question that may arise is, so what is considered a typical LH level? During your menstrual cycle, a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) initiates ovulation. However, LH level charts can significantly differ among individuals and fluctuate throughout the cycle.

Get Vaccinated

It is wise to get yourself immune to common diseases because getting afflicted with any disease during pregnancy will not only affect you but will also affect the baby.

Some vaccines are safe to take during pregnancy, but others, like the ones for rubella and chickenpox, are advised to be taken 2 to 3 months before your conception as they are live vaccines.

Quit Drinking Alcohol and Smoking

Women who smoke have difficulty getting pregnant, and smoking during pregnancy can cause tissue damage in the baby.

Many studies suggest that there is a link between cleft lip and maternal smoking. Babies exposed to secondhand smoke are likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

If the mother drinks alcohol, it will be passed on to her baby through the umbilical cord. This can cause a range of lifelong physical and intellectual disabilities called fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs).

If you are addicted to smoking or drinking, you need to stop this habit before you get pregnant completely. There is no such thing as a safe amount of alcohol.

Consume Folic Acid

Folic acid, a vitamin B, is considered to be the most crucial nutrient for pregnancy. You should make it a part of your routine supplements at least a month before conception as it lowers the risk of birth defects in the brain and spine, leading to a healthy birth. It is suggested to consume 400 micrograms of folic acid daily.

Practice Yoga and Meditation

Yoga has a role in nourishing your reproductive organs.

These yoga poses should help you open up your organs:

  • Legs up the wall
  • Cobra pose
  • Frog pose
  • Reclining bound angle

Managing stress is an essential step when it comes to pregnancy. Stress triggers the hormone cortisol in the body, which reduces sex drive, prevents ovulation, and decreases sperm count.

A healthy lifestyle and practicing meditation will help you eradicate all the negative thoughts and prepare your mind for this beautiful journey ahead of you.