Things Everyone Should Do Before They Get Pregnant
By Aaron Love
9 months ago
Consult A Healthcare Professional
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Before you embark on your journey to parenthood, it's crucial that you consult a healthcare professional. By scheduling a preconception check-up they can let you know whether or not you're in optimal health. This can help you identify any underlying issues you might not have known about.Get Advice From Your Parents
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Pretty much all of us trust our parents more than anyone else and before considering pregnancy you might want to talk to them first. They will have gone through all of the joys and challenges of raising you and therefore you can take some valuable sources of wisdom and support.Make Sure Your Partner is 'The One'
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Choosing the right life partner is the most fundamental step before you even consider pregnancy. You want to ensure that your relationship is strong and built on trust and communication. Discuss your desires and expectations with one another so that you're on the same page.Take Prenatal Vitamins
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Prenatal vitamins can play a pivotal role in you preconception health. Start taking them before that you conceive in order to ensure that you're getting the right and essential nutrients for your body. Vitamins like iron, folic acid and calcium can do you a world of good as well as your future baby.Achieve A Healthy Weight
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By maintaining a healthy weight you'll be doing everything you can to set yourself up for a healthy pregnancy. Aim for the BMI within the recommended range for your body type. This is important as if you're overweight you might be causing some additional complications during the pregnancy.Balanced Diet
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A balanced diet is the cornerstone of all health, not just that of before conception. You'll want to focus on consuming nutrient-rich foods like fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains. This well-rounded diet will ensure that you're body is primes for a healthy pregnancy.Get Regular Exercise
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Regular physical activity is the key to staying fit and healthy before you look at heading in to pregnancy. Exercise is always important and by incorporating it into your daily routine your cardiovascular health will reduce stress. Just remember to not push yourself too hard.Manage Chronic Illnesses
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If you have any chronic illnesses then it's extremely important that you manage them effectively before you become pregnant. You'll want to consult with your healthcare provider to make sure you're well enough and that issues like diabetes amongst others won't pose risks to your or the baby in the long run.Review Medications
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Before you conceive, you'll want to make sure that you're not taking any medication that might increase some risks associated with pregnancy. Some medications will be fine although some others might need adjusting or replacing to make sure they won't harm the baby.Reduce Alcohol Intake
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Limiting your alcohol intake can be incredibly important when it comes to preparing for some pregnancy. Alcohol can harm the developing fetus and the effects from before conception can even make it worse. A healthy lifestyle will only set the stage for a healthy lifestyle in the future.Quit Smoking
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One of the most critical things you have to do before you get pregnant, if relevant to you, is stopping smoking. Smoking during a pregnancy can pose some significant risks to both yourself and the baby. Try and seek some help from others to assist in removing nicotine from your life.Stop Drinking Coffee
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Whilst a moderate level of coffee and caffeine in general can be safe, high coffee intake can actually have some adverse effects during some pregnancy. Consider reducing your caffeine consumption to switch to decaffeinated option and get used to them before conception.Manage Your Stress
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Managing stress can be an important thing to learn in general, never mind when you're going through the journey to becoming a parent. High stress levels can affect your fertility ad even increase the risk of further complications arising during the entirety of the pregnancy.Get Plenty Sleep
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Prioritizing sleep can be one of the most crucial things you can do as you prepare for pregnancy. By aiming for an adequate amount of sleep you'll be able to make sure your own well being is at its optimum level. This can be vital, and you'll think that even more once you have a screaming baby in your home.Check For Infections
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Before you conceive, it is absolutely essential to check for and address any form of sexually transmitted infections or general infections that could impact yours or the baby's health. Get some tests done just to make sure that you're free of anything that could raise some issues.Assess Genetic Risks
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Assessing genetic risks might be a smart idea during the planning stage of your conception journey. You can consider some genetic counselling where they can help you identify if you have have potential hereditary conditions that might affect the health of your child. It might also help you make some ideas.Review Family History
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Reviewing your family's medical history is yet another essential preconception task. Discuss with your family if there's anything you need to know and then pass any genetic disorders or potential complications on to your healthcare provider so they're aware too.Get Necessary Vaccinations
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Ensure that you're always up-to-date with necessary vaccinations before you even think about becoming pregnant. You should do this anyway, but even more so when you want a baby. Make sure you've been vaccinated for the flu and rubella amongst others to protect everyone's health.Build A Support System
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By building a robust support system you will always have a group of friends or family to help prepare for pregnancy. Strengthen relationships with everyone as by supporting them they'll be looking forward to supporting you through the many ups and downs.Plan Financially
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Many people don't instantly think about the financial risks of pregnancy. You should try and assess your current financial situation to make sure you're able to afford everything and ensure that your baby will be able to live an optimum life within your care.Understand Maternity Leave Policies
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Before you embark through parenthood, you might want to take some time to understand how your workplace deals with maternity leave. Make sure you know about the duration of your leave as well as the entire process of requesting the leave in the first place.Update Your Insurance
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You'll also want to review your own health insurance policy to make sure that it covers prenatal care as well as future expenses in regards to the pregnancy. Try and understand the costs associated with childbirth and adjust your insurance to ensure you're prepared.Consider Childcare Arrangements
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Childcare is another important thing that you'll need to begin preparing for in the months before and during the birth of your child. Begin thinking about the options you have available like day-care, family support or a nanny. It's never too early to seek out the right option for yourself.Create A Birth Plan
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Creating a birth plan will allow you to outline the preferences that you have for labor and delivery. Alongside your healthcare provider you can let them know where you want to give birth as well as who you want to be in the delivery room with you at the time of birth.Baby-Proof The Home
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Safety will always be the number one priority you have when preparing for your new arrival, as well as the years following the birth too. Baby-proofing the home is essential to create a safe environment for your little one to make sure they won't harm themselves around the home.Take Childbirth Classes
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You might want to begin attending some childbirth classes during the preconception period in order to gain some valuable information and support for your labor. They will cover a load of topics that will do everything they can to boost your confidence around the birthing process.Explore Birthing Options
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You should also consider the type of birthing experience you want to have, a home birth, a hospital birth etc. Each option will have its own benefits and considerations so make sure you research them. Although be prepared that things might change in time.Learn About Breastfeeding
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Breastfeeding is a natural way to nourish your baby and it can be a great way to bond with your baby once they're born. To prepare, you can attend numerous breastfeeding classes so that once you get home you'll feel confident enough to start nursing.Communicate With Your Partner
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Open and honest communication with your partner is vital in all aspects of life, but it can become even MORE vital as you prepare for parenthood. Make sure that you're both aware of the fears and expectations that you both have with one another.Think About Baby Names
