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Planning a pregnancy is an exciting time in life. There’s no way of knowing how soon you’ll become pregnant but preparing your body for pregnancy is a great way to feel at least some degree of control in the situation. There are many actions you can take which will not only ensure your body is in top condition but also that you’re more mentally prepared for the journey ahead.
Health Changes To Make Before Getting Pregnant
Stop Smoking
Seems obvious right? But for many women, it’s a tough one. Smoking will reduce your chances of getting pregnant and poses many risks to unborn babies. Avoid cigarettes and vapes.
Reduce or stop your alcohol consumption
Large amounts of alcohol during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects as well as learning difficulties. Small amounts are permissible but the general advice is to avoid alcohol completely.
Get your sexual health assessed
It might be nerve-wracking but some STDs can affect babies and you need to make sure you have a clean bill of health before becoming pregnant.
Stop taking the pill
Seems obvious but it’s the first thing you need to do if you want to get pregnant. It can take some months for your cycle to return to normal.
Get fit
If you need to lose weight, then now is the time to do it. Having a BMI which is far above the recommended for your height and build won’t help you get pregnant and could cause complications during your pregnancy.
If you are underweight it is important that you try to address this. See your doctor for advice on how to get to a level of fitness that will put you in optimum shape for pregnancy.
Supplements
Folic acid is perhaps the best-known supplement for pregnant women but it’s important to take it from the early stages and even before pregnancy. Folic acid contains the synthetic form of folate (or vitamin B-9), and that helps to prevent neural tube defects in a growing baby. A higher dose of folic acid is particularly advised for women with type 1 diabetes in pregnancy.
Chat to your doctor about any other recommended supplements but don’t take anything without professional advice.
It’s an exciting time and the preparations for pregnancy shouldn’t be stressful so don’t focus in on any one aspect of the above list.
Try to remain calm and balanced about your upcoming journey towards parenthood and you’ll have a much nicer time than if you become worried or anxious about your health.
If you do find yourself facing uncertainty around your fertility, one option is to consult a private fertility clinic. The peace of mind that can come with consulting experts can remove a lot of the anxiety surrounding conceiving.
More Information For Your First Pregnancy
