The doctor is the best friend of the couple planning to have a baby.

This is for those who are planning a pregnancy! Do you know what to do to prepare for a pregnancy? For many women, the news of a pregnancy comes unexpectedly, not even leaving time to think about getting pregnant, but there are cases when women or couples plan to have a baby. Sometimes they don’t even know that some specific precautions are necessary to have a healthy pregnancy. That’s why planning for a pregnancy can include several things, from tests to psychological preparation for the couple, since in some cases, pregnancy can take a while to happen or might not occur naturally at all.

Where to Start?

When a couple or woman decides to get pregnant, they should start with a visit to the doctor, even before stopping birth control. It is important to know if your health is up to date so everything goes well during pregnancy. Hormonal tests such as progesterone, estrogen, prolactin, LH and thyroid can make things go more smoothly, since these hormones may or may not make it easier to get pregnant. For men, examinations such as a blood count, urine tests, and others might also be needed. Sometimes, when planning a pregnancy, things are simpler, but there are cases where, even with all this preparation, things can drag on for months, and in some cases, even years. Doctors usually give a timeframe of one year for a “healthy” couple to get pregnant, but this timeframe can be alarming or even put the couple on alert.

One, two, three months go by and still no pregnancy… And when a year has passed, despair can set in. Right away, the doctor should prescribe folic acid, which significantly reduces the risk of birth defects in the fetus, and if the doctor doesn’t prescribe it, you can take it on your own. That’s because folic acid is not a medication, but a vitamin, a dietary supplement. It is not a drug and does no harm, unless, of course, you are allergic.

If the couple planning a pregnancy knows these tests must be done, it can shorten the wait significantly. After a year, if a spontaneous pregnancy hasn’t happened, the doctor will start a deeper investigation always beginning with the woman. But what the couple needs to know is that, if everything is fine with the woman, it’s the husband’s or partner’s turn to undergo tests. These tests may include ultrasound, sperm analysis, as well as the more conventional ones like blood tests, etc. But a good doctor will request mutual tests for both partners, saving a lot of time.

Preparing for pregnancy also includes psychological preparation. Of course, many women (myself included) get anxious, and this anxiety can disrupt how the body works. People say that this anxiety can even make your cycle late or come early. So friend, calm down, take a breath! If you feel that your pregnancy anxiety is getting out of control, it’s time to see a psychologist. This professional can help a lot—not with medication, but just listening and giving advice already helps a lot. Other precautions couples planning a pregnancy should take are:

  • Avoid alcohol
  • Avoid smoking
  • Avoid using drugs and medications without a prescription
  • Maintain a healthier lifestyle
  • Get at least 8 hours of sleep a night
  • Do not wear tight underwear
  • Drink plenty of fluids (no, beer doesn’t count! LOL)
  • And eat a healthy diet

Rest assured that all these precautions are worth it—creating life is priceless! Especially when it is desired, planned, and done with lots of love! If your pregnancy was not planned, you should also take precautions; as soon as you find out, go to the doctor for prenatal tests. The sooner you check your health and try to have a peaceful pregnancy, the better! Medical follow-up is always essential!

See also: Adventures of a master “trying to conceive” mom

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