Some women are caught off guard and when they find out they’re pregnant, it’s a real shock; either the contraceptive failed, they forgot to take it for a few days, or used it incorrectly. Of course, after the surprise comes joy. But the truth is that getting pregnant in a planned and expected way is much better and healthier for everyone.
For those who are thinking about expanding their family and have plans to become pregnant soon, why not start preparing now? A healthy body and mind will also generate a calm and healthy baby, in addition to letting you enjoy every moment with greater peace and pleasure.
Ideally, planning should start at least one year in advance, and if you use any medications or have any health conditions that require stronger treatments, it’s essential to talk to your doctor about it.
Some medications used for treatments such as epilepsy or asthma, for example, may harm fetal development and should be replaced by those that will not interfere with pregnancy.
Another very important point is related to the woman’s weight. For those who are already a bit heavier and worry about pregnancy weight gain, why not start a diet, begin exercising, lose weight before getting pregnant, and when you do get pregnant, have a healthier body and habits to face this special journey with its many inevitable transformations?
Healthy habits also include a nutritious diet, and few women know this, but some foods can even help achieve this dream of getting pregnant.
Consuming foods rich in zinc, vitamins B6, E, and omega-3 act as stimulants for sex hormones, which not only keep a woman well-nourished without gaining excess weight, but also facilitate conception.
These vitamins can be found in foods like red meat, peanuts, sardines, tuna, walnuts, bananas, mangoes, sunflower oil, and pistachios. It isn’t a difficult diet to follow since these are tasty foods, they are part of most people’s daily menu, and best of all, they are low-cost.
How to Prepare for Pregnancy: The Doctor’s Visit
To complement your preparation and ensure that the future mother’s health is in order, schedule an appointment with your gynecologist and tell them about your wish to become pregnant in the coming months.
Your doctor will order some essential tests to confirm your health status and rule out the presence of certain diseases or health issues that could hinder your dream of getting pregnant.
You will also be asked about your habits and lifestyle, so they can advise you to eliminate what’s not recommended for someone trying to conceive. Normally, the gynecologist will request a Pap smear for analysis to check if there are any bacteria that could interfere with fertility and pregnancy.
Urine and blood tests may also be requested if the doctor sees a need to investigate a possible urinary infection or even anemia, as well as check immunity to certain diseases such as toxoplasmosis, rubella, and hepatitis B.
These tests will determine whether the woman needs to get some vaccines, such as for rubella, chickenpox, and hepatitis B. If you are not immune to these diseases, the problem can be resolved by getting vaccinated at a health clinic.
Through blood tests, your hormone levels will also be checked, and an ultrasound may be ordered if necessary. Another medical recommendation will be to start taking folic acid in preparation for pregnancy.
Folic acid is responsible for forming the baby’s neural tube, which develops in the first days of pregnancy, and is extremely important during pregnancy and in the months leading up to conception.
If you drink alcohol, smoke, or use any kind of drugs and dream of becoming a mother, you should know that all substances used in these habits are harmful both to the mother and to the baby’s development.
Quitting these habits before getting pregnant is extremely important to conceive and give birth to a completely healthy baby. If you have trouble quitting, seek help from a specialist and only consider pregnancy when you are completely free from these addictions.
Have you been trying and it’s already been over a year? Your partner should see a specialist to investigate what is happening. Additional tests can detect if there are changes in the sperm or other problems that can be addressed through treatment.
See also: Vitamins for Getting Pregnant
