7 Things To Keep in Mind Before Getting Pregnant

When a woman decides to take the plunge into parenthood she should just wait a second or even a month or more. To give herself the best chance for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby, there are some important things she should do before getting pregnant.

# Schedule a preconception visit

A woman should schedule a preconception visit to an ob-gyn, midwife, or family doctor for various checkups. The doctor will review her personal and medical history, her present health, and any medications or supplements she is taking. As there are certain medications and supplements which are unsafe during pregnancy, and some may need to be switched off before she tries to conceive because they are stored in the body’s fat and can linger there.

# Genetic carrier screening

Genetic carrier screening should be done before a woman tries to conceive. It is done to see whether the female or her partner is a carrier for serious inherited illness such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, and others. She should meet a genetic counselor who will tell her more about the condition and help her to sort her reproductive choices. For genetic screening, only saliva or blood sample of both the partners is required.

# Stop smoking, binge drinking, and drugs

If a female smokes or takes drugs and she wants to become pregnant then now’s the time to stop. Smoking or taking drugs can cause miscarriage, premature birth, and low-birth-weight babies. Intake of tobacco can affect fertility and lower a partner’s sperm count.

When a woman wants to conceive moderate drinking is considered fine, but excessive or binge drinking at this time should be avoided. Once she becomes pregnant then experts recommend stopping drinking altogether since no one knows exactly what potential harmful effects even the smallest amount of alcohol has on a developing baby.

# Limit caffeine intake

According to experts pregnant women and those trying to conceive should avoid intake of excessive caffeine. In some studies intake of too much caffeine has been linked to a risk of miscarriage.

# Healthy weight

Conception is easy if a woman has a healthy weight. For some women, it is hard to become pregnant if they have low or high body mass index. Complications of pregnancy and delivery are more likely in women with high BMI, while women who start with a low BMI and fail to gain weight are more likely to give birth to underweight babies. So, a woman should consult her healthcare provider about the best way to achieve her weight goals.

# Consume healthy food

A woman should start taking nutritious food so that her body will be stocked up with the nutrients she needs for a healthy pregnancy. She should consume fruits and green vegetables every day, as well as plenty of whole grains and foods that are rich in calcium- like milk, calcium-fortified orange juice, and yogurt. Consume a variety of protein sources, such as beans, nuts, seeds, soy products, poultry, and meats.

# Avoid infections

When a woman is trying to get pregnant then it is important to clear of infections, especially those that could harm her baby.

She should stay away from certain foods, such as unpasteurized soft cheeses and other dairy products, cold deli meats, and raw and undercooked fish and poultry. Because these foods can harbor bacteria that are dangerous and can cause listeriosis, a food-borne illness that can cause miscarriage and stillbirth. Unpasteurized juices should also be avoided because they contain bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella.