Getting Ready for Pregnancy
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Pregnancy is one of the most notable events in a woman's life. So, when you plan for even the most minor things, why not plan for something as important as pregnancy? A well-planned pregnancy can result in a healthy baby. Here are five ways you can prepare yourself before conceiving your baby.
Advance Preparatory Measures:
These preparations should start about three months before you begin trying to get pregnant. Some aspects or factors take this long to be in place and, therefore, the timeline. Planning pregnancy does not just revolve around planting a seed in fertile soil and giving it love to bloom. Planning a pregnancy needs you to make sure that the seed is of good quality, the soil is fertile, and most importantly, the environment is suitable for the seed to sprout.
Here are the points that you need to consider in advance while planning pregnancy:
- 1. Health check-up
Before you start planning pregnancy, visit your gynaecologist and know what you need to follow to increase the chances of conception. Go through your and your family's medical history to determine any risks and discuss the precautions to be taken.
While you are at it, also understand the possible risks associated with your regular medicines for headaches, acidity, allergies, flu, etc.Get to know from your doctor if there is anything you need to avoid or be cautious about.
- 2. Learn about birth control measures
If you use a physical barrier such as a condom or diaphragm, then you can continue to use it until you start trying to conceive. These are safer measures.Although, if you are on birth control pills, you might want to discuss it with your doctor and stop using them to increase the chance of conceiving.
Birth control pills often cause hormonal fluctuations and can reduce your chances of getting pregnant. They can also affect ovulation in some women.
- 3. Underlying health conditions
Those who suffer from health conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, cardiovascular disease, hypertension or autoimmune disorders must get regular check-ups done. Ensure the symptoms are under control before you plan pregnancy to avoid further complications and risks to your baby.
Get the routine check-ups done, check your regular medication doses, and run it by your doctor.
- 4. Assess your weight
Being in a healthy weight category is advisable anytime. When you are planning a pregnancy, this needs special attention. Being overweight can increase your risk of conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. There is a temporary rise in sugar levels during pregnancy called gestational diabetes. Still, in the case of overweight or obese women, they might develop diabetes.It also increases the chances of having a cesarean delivery.
Being underweight has a different set of risks associated with it; there is a risk of the baby being malnourished and challenges in delivery. So focus on getting in the healthy weight category before you try to get pregnant.
Pre-pregnancy preparations
Now let us take a look at the pre-pregnancy preparations. These preparations are suggested about a month before you start trying to get pregnant.
- 1. Give up on some habits
Habits refer to smoking and drinking alcohol here. Smoking can lead to infertility and cause pregnancy issues such as stillbirth, preterm labour, congenital disabilities, etc. Alcohol consumption is also harmful to your baby.
- 2. Limit caffeine consumption
Excessive caffeine consumption leads to fertility problems. In addition, it also causes pregnancy issues such as miscarriage, low birth weight babies, preterm labour, and birth defects. It is okay if you do not quit coffee entirely, but make sure the consumption is in moderation.
- 3. Stay on a healthy lifestyle streak
A balanced diet, supplements to correct nutritional deficiencies if required, and workouts are the three most important factors for a healthy lifestyle. See to it that you consume a lot of fresh vegetables and fruits to fulfil the vitamin and mineral requirements.
- 4. Mental health
Mental health is as important as physical health is. You don't just prepare yourself for a pregnancy physically; you also need to be ready mentally. For this, get help if you have any issues related to stress or anxiety. Practice activities such as meditation, sparing time for your hobby, listening to calm music, etc., to ensure mental health.
andMe has launched their very own andMe OvaBoost Drink! to help you with pregnancy.
It is a plant-based drink with prenatal vitamins that help to conceive. It is made with the goodness of CoQ10, DHA, Shatavari, Zinc, Chasteberry, Vitamin B9 and Inositol. It helps to improve egg quality and egg health, fertilization and aids in preparing the body for pregnancy, helps to prepare the uterus lining.
Best part? No added preservatives. No harmful chemicals.
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