Things to Prepare Before Getting Pregnant

Introduction

Having a baby is one of the most exciting things that can happen to you, but it’s also a big responsibility. If you’re planning to get pregnant soon, there are some necessary preparations to make first. For example, if you smoke or drink heavily, it will be better for your baby if you quit before conceiving. You should also make sure that your home is safe from hazards like lead paint or other toxins. In this article, we’ll look at all kinds of things from dental checkups and foot care to diet changes that can help prepare your body and mind for pregnancy.

Get a Preconception Checkup

It’s important to get a preconception checkup before you become pregnant. The doctor will ask about your family history and lifestyle, do an exam, and test for STDs. If you have any problems with fertility, your doctor will let you know what needs to be done to increase your chances of getting pregnant.

The following are some guidelines that may help prepare for the visit:

• Talk with Your Doctor Before You Visit
• Bring All Your Medications With You
• Write Down Any Questions or Concerns That Come Up During The Visit And Take Them With You

Nursing Wear

Nursing wear is a popular gift for pregnant women. It can be worn during or after pregnancy to help with breastfeeding, and it’s great because you don’t have to buy new clothes when your body changes shape. If you’re looking for a way to save money, nursing wear is also easy to get on sale. This type of clothing is usually very soft and comfortable, so it’s easy to wash and dry no need for expensive dry cleaning!

Dental Appointment

See a dentist if you have any problems with your teeth and gums, such as cavities or gum disease. These conditions can affect fertility by causing inflammation that may damage the fallopian tubes and ovaries. Get a dental checkup before you start trying to get pregnant, not just because it’ll help prevent tooth decay, but also because doing so will give you a chance to discuss any concerns or make any dental appointment regarding pregnancy and fertility with your dentist.

Feet Health Checkup

Get your feet checked at a reliable clinic with professional ones to check your feet such as The Feet Mechanics. If you notice any redness or swelling, see your doctor right away. Take care of your feet by wearing comfortable shoes and socks. Don’t wear flip-flops if you’re not at the beach or pool and don’t work out in them either. Also, try to avoid going barefoot as much as possible, you can pick up bacteria from public bathrooms or other places with poor hygiene standards. Be sure to wash your hands often throughout the day to prevent germs from entering through cuts on your feet (especially if you have diabetes).

Achieve a healthy weight and avoid extreme diets

It’s important to eat healthy, balanced meals. Avoid crash diets and fad diets that are difficult to maintain long-term.

Understand the risk of pregnancy after age 35

As you get older, your risk of infertility increases. When you’re younger, your eggs are more likely to be healthy and normal. But after age 35, the likelihood of an egg being chromosomally abnormal increases significantly. And since these abnormalities can’t be detected in advance, they may cause birth defects or miscarriage if they’re passed on to a baby.

As women age, their risk of miscarriage also increases by about 30 percent each year after age 30, so if you do end up conceiving later in life (or even if you don’t), you and your partner need to understand what these risks look like so that together you can plan for them as much as possible.

Take Prenatal Vitamins

Prenatal vitamins are an essential part of staying healthy throughout your pregnancy. They help with the development of the fetus, mother and baby. These nutrients are important for both the health of the mother and child.

Cut out alcohol and quit smoking

One of the most important things to do before getting pregnant is to stop smoking. Smoking can affect your fertility and cause miscarriage and low birth weight for your baby. If you’re a smoker and are trying to conceive, quitting cold turkey isn’t recommended you may want to consult with a doctor about the best method for going about it safely.

There’s no question that alcohol has negative effects on your health when you’re pregnant. It increases the risk of fetal alcohol syndrome (which occurs when drinking during pregnancy causes brain damage in babies), fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (when drinking during pregnancy affects coordination), and preterm birth. There are many reasons why women aren’t supposed to drink while they’re pregnant:

Eliminate all drugs, including supplements, without checking with your doctor first.

As you know, drugs can be harmful to a developing fetus. Some are more harmful than others, so it’s important to consult with your doctor before taking any new medications—even over-the-counter supplements such as fish oil or vitamin D. It is also best to avoid all recreational drugs during pregnancy, even though some research shows that occasional marijuana use is unlikely to harm a healthy baby. If you have an existing medical condition that requires medication, check with your doctor about whether or not it’s safe for you and your baby before making any changes.

Clean up your home and learn which foods to avoid.

Cleaning up your home is one of the best things you can do for yourself before getting pregnant. By removing clutter, you reduce the chances that dust will get in the air and cause allergies or asthma. You’ll also want to remove any toxic chemicals from around your house: paint, pesticides, etc. And finally, clear out any harmful cleaning products, they can cause cancer as well as harm developing fetuses if ingested by pregnant women.

Clean up your diet too! Some dangerous chemicals are found in our food supply and may make their way into a growing baby’s body if you eat them during pregnancy or breastfeeding (which means eating these foods while trying to conceive). The following ingredients are best avoided completely by all people: artificial colors (FD&C yellow 5) and flavors (including natural strawberry flavor because it contains FD&C red 40); nitrates/nitrites; MSG; sulfites; BHA/BHT/TBHQ preservatives; artificial sweeteners such as sucralose (Splenda), saccharin, aspartame and even stevia due to its potential for harmful effects on reproductive organs when used excessively over time!

Get your immunizations up to date

If you haven’t been vaccinated against the flu (the influenza virus), it’s important to get your shot after becoming pregnant. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older receive the flu vaccine annually.

If you haven’t received any vaccinations since early adulthood, talk to your doctor about which shots are right for you now. Pregnancy may be a good time to update your immunizations because some vaccines don’t work as well in people who have been vaccinated before. For example, a single dose of the Tdap (tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis) vaccine can replace one or more doses of tetanus-diphtheria vaccines from previous years.

The CDC also recommends that everyone who will be around infants should get vaccinated against pertussis with Tdap between 28 weeks gestation and six weeks postpartum (within five days after delivery).

The hepatitis B vaccine should be given during pregnancy if it hasn’t already been given within 24 hours after birth. If possible, get this immunization at least one month before delivery; otherwise, schedule an appointment as soon as possible so that you can still complete three doses during pregnancy: two more doses after the first dose during pregnancy, plus an additional dose six months later just before delivery

Conclusion

In the end, pregnancy is a wonderful experience for many women. It’s also a time of great worry for others. The best way to get ready for it is to take care of yourself before conceiving and stay healthy throughout your pregnancy. If you feel overwhelmed with all the preparation you need, remember that your doctor will be there every step of the way.