Do you intend to start and grow a family soon? If so, you must be very excited about the whole idea. The best thing you can do as you plan is to prepare your mind and body for the entire process.
The following steps will not only make your experience joyous but also healthy.
1. Stop Using Birth Control
To err is human, and you are likely to forget that you have been using some form of birth control. Whether it is a coil, a diaphragm, or an implant, forgetting that you use these is quite easy before you conceive, because you do not often see them, and once you have them in place, you forget about them until you need a makeover.
Your doctor can assist you with the information you need to get safely off birth control and to return to your former fertile self. You might experience some changes as your hormones revert to normal. In case of anything unusual during this period, see your doctor about it.
2. Get To Know The Medical History Of Your Family
You need to see if you have any genetic diseases that might affect your conception or the development of your baby. Ask your parents and other members of your family about these and find out if there are any chronic illnesses in your lineage.
The women in your family will tell you if they had any issues with their pregnancy or fertility. Talking with your partner’s family would be ideal. You can also both get tested for some genetic diseases before you conceive.
3. Do Some Financial Planning
The first three months of your pregnancy can be very exhausting. Getting your finances in order before your pregnancy will give you ample time to make adjustments to meet all your financial needs during the pregnancy.
You will also have some peace of mind as opposed to when you start budgeting several weeks after conception. Getting pregnant can have some complications that require medical attention. When you save up for such emergencies, you will have the funds ready when they eventually come around.
4. Make An Appointment With Your Obstetrician-Gynecologist
Before you decide that you want to have a baby, it is wise to know what you need to do and to ensure that your body is ready for the rigors of pregnancy and childbirth.
This knowledge is particularly essential if you are expecting your first pregnancy, it has taken you more than 12 months to get pregnant even though you have practiced unprotected sex, and you are past your mid-thirties.
Otherwise, you might have had an endocrine issue or another health problem that might have affected your fertility. Following the targeted advice of your ob-gyn will ensure that you have a safe and healthy pregnancy.
5. Use Prenatal Supplements
Taking healthy foods and food supplements will ensure that your body is well-prepared for pregnancy. Supplements help in the process of conception and the development of the fetus during pregnancy.
They contain not only folic acid but also minerals and other vitamins. If you are currently taking supplements, your doctor should know about them since some of them might not be helpful during the pregnancy.
6. Be Selective About The Kind Of Seafood You Eat
It is healthy to eat some types of seafood when you are pregnant, but others are not beneficial. Some fish, for example, contain mercury, which causes congenital disease.
Among the fish, you need to be particularly wary about and avoid tuna, mackerel, salmon, and swordfish. On the other hand, you should eat fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
An unplanned pregnancy makes a sorrowful mother. The best thing you can do for your health’s sake and that of your baby is to plan before you conceive. You need to know what to do and what to avoid. Then, you can prepare as much as possible before getting pregnant.
