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Pregnancy should not be considered only a 9 month journey but as a year long journey. Knowing that the first few weeks of pregnancy are the most vital to the development of the baby, a mother should be healthy and avoid any harmful activities and substances near the time of conception. Some habits are harder to break, and some health issues take longer to address. Getting a jump start will be beneficial to you and your baby. Following these simple guidelines can help you prepare for pregnancy.
If you are trying to get pregnant , you should get a copy of the Essential Guide for Getting Pregnant . This e-book is one of the easiest and up to date resources for getting the information and tips you need to get pregnant quicker and easier. Before you become pregnant you want to make sure that you cut out any habits that are harmful for your baby. These habits include:
Smoking – Smoking during pregnancy is estimated to account for 20 to 30 percent of low-birth weight babies, up to 14 percent of preterm deliveries, and about 10 percent of all infant deaths according to the American Lung Association.
Drinking Alcohol – There is no safe amount of alcohol to consume while you are pregnant.
Recreational drug use – For example, smoking marijuana during pregnancy can increase the chance of miscarriage, low birth-weight, premature births, developmental delays, and behavioral and learning problems.
Prescription drugs – There are many prescription drugs that are teratogenic (cause birth defects). Talk with your healthcare provider about any and all prescription drugs you are taking. Hazardous chemicals – There are some chemicals that can also be teratogenic. For example, most studies point out that the greatest risk of exposure to pesticides is during the first three to eight weeks of the first trimester when the neural tube development is occurring. This is often before a woman knows she is pregnant. Stress – Stress has been linked to delayed or missed periods which can cause difficulty tracking ovulation and getting pregnant. Limit your amount of stress as much as possible.
Herbs – The problem with herbs is that they are not mandated by the FDA, and therefore, there is little or no research on the effect they have on pregnancy. Discuss any herbs with your healthcare provider.
Caffeine - Some studies have shown a link between high levels of caffeine consumption and delayed conception. A few studies have shown that there may be an increase in miscarriages among women who consume more than 300 mg (three 5 oz cups of coffee) a day. You should replace these old habits with new healthy habits. These healthy habits include:
You are what you eat, and so is your baby. Make sure that you are getting lots of vitamins in your diet, and start taking folic acids now. Studies have shown that folic acid (300-400mcg a day) can help reduce the risk of neural tube defects when taken before conception. Order Prenatal Vitamins with folic acid . For more information on the suggested amount of vitamins to consume during pregnancy (which is the same for preconception) look at our chart on Essential Nutrients & Vitamins.
Your weight plays a significant role in conception and during pregnancy. When planning to conceive you want to avoid being over or under weight .
Underweight (10% below normal range)
Overweight (20% above normal range)
Discuss any plans for weight loss or gain with your healthcare provider.
It is important that you see your doctor before you become pregnant. There are medical conditions that you may not be aware of that can affect your pregnancy. Some of the most common conditions include:
Other testing and screening that is common during a preconception health check up are:
At your appointment you will also be asked for your medical and family history.
Medical history may include:
Family history may include:
Some couples may also need to seek Genetic Counseling . For the majority of couples, genetic counseling is not necessary .
Ask anyone with a newborn , and they will tell you that it changes everything. And while it is literally impossible to be completely prepared for all the emotional changes that come with baby, a little forethought goes a long way, says Frank A. Chervenak, MD, the professor and chairman of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York.
A woman considering pregnancy needs to think about whether there are other children in the home and what age they will be when the newborn comes home, he says. Can she handle two young children very close in age? She must also consider her job. “If she is going through a stressful or demanding time at work, how will pregnancy and having a baby impact on her work?” he says.
“In broad strokes, a woman must weigh how a pregnancy would impact her family, her work, and her own psyche,” he says. “Is she ready or would she rather wait?” All of these are factors that a woman should consider, and she is the final arbiter.”
Research reinforces the importance of forethought. Studies have shown that couples who have thought carefully about all the details of physically having a baby — from choosing a doctor to weighing the risks involved — are much more prepared than their counterparts who have not given it as much thought. For example, one study in the April 2000 issue of the Journal of Personality found that women who had given a great deal of thought to what parenting may entail were better adjusted as moms, compared with new moms who did not think as deeply about the demands their new role as a parent would place upon their lives.
“Personal readiness, how a new baby will impact the family, the couple, and work are the overwhelming factors to consider in advance,” he says.