By Contributing Author
When you have decided to step into motherhood, it’s time, you hold for a second and give yourself the best opportunity to experience a healthy pregnancy. It’s time you set your mind; prepare your body and your soul to start your journey of bringing a new life into the world. While undergoing a full body checkup and laying off the drugs, alcohol and other additives is something you know, here a few other tips that you should consider before taking the road to conception.
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- Stop Birth Control
When you have decided to nurture a child inside you, the first thing to do is to stop using birth controls, if you have been using any. While bidding adieu to condoms and diaphragms could be simple with instant results, stopping hormonal birth control methods could be tricky. Some women tend to get pregnant within a couple of weeks after stopping birth control, for others, it may take a longer time.
- Consult a Doctor
Another important thing that can’t be missed is setting an appointment with a doctor. Your doctor will examine your body; review your family history as well as your personal medical history. The doctor can guide you well in setting up your diet plan and workout plan. He or she may prescribe some supplements so as to get your body ready for a healthy conception. The medical practitioner may even ask you to undergo preconception body check-up so as to eliminate any potential threat to the health of the mother and the baby.
- Start Exercising
Exercising or working out is essential in daily routine, the same holds true for pre-conception period. In order to head down to a healthy pregnancy, you should incorporate a moderate work out session for at least 20 to 30 minutes for four to five days a week. You may consult a midwife or a physiotherapist to know the correct postures and moves.
- Start Paying Attention to Your Diet
Since you neither want any complication in your pregnancy nor want to compromise with the health of your baby, it’s time you start cleaning your diet. Begin with limiting your intake of junk food, and start moving towards healthier and organic food. Choosing nuts and fruits over chips and other fried snacks and avoiding undercooked meat and eggs can make a big difference. As per doctors, during the pre-conception period it’s of utmost importance that ladies maintain their BMI between 19 and 25.
- Get Proper Sleep
A night of sound sleep has the ability to put your body on track to work the way it is supposed to. It is thus essential to get a sound sleep of at least 8 hours a day. Lack of sleep may result in stress and reduced sex drive.
- Don’t Forget to Take Dental Check-up
For most of the ladies, considering a dental check-up during the preconception period is of least importance but, the fact is that periodontal diseases are linked to preterm birth. Not just this, studies show that hormonal imbalances during pregnancy make you more susceptible periodontal diseases. Higher oestrogen and progesterone levels make gums to react differently to the bacteria in plaque, thereby resulting in red and swollen gums. This clearly states the need for taking a dental check-up before pregnancy.
- Ditch Stress
Women who suffer mental stress are more likely to face complications during pregnancy. Moreover, stress can shoot up your cortisol levels preventing ovulation and sex drive. While planning to conceive could be quite stressful, it’s important that you manage your stress levels. You may try yoga, medications and psychotherapy to cut down stress.
- Take a Look at Your Surroundings
Just look around and you will find that your surrounding is full of hazards. While it’s not possible to eliminate all the risks factors from your surroundings, you can do your best to stay away from as many risk factors as possible. Limit your exposure to radiations and chemicals, stay away from noisy surroundings and stay clear of polluted areas. Also, keep in mind that pesticides, solvents, some cleaning chemicals and lead in drinking water can be hazardous to you as well as the new life that is growing inside you.
- Keep a check on your caffeine intake
While no clinical studies establish the exact amount of how much caffeine can be taken during pregnancy, those trying to conceive should limit their intake of caffeine. Taking too much caffeine causes abdominal discomfort during pregnancy and may even cause miscarriage in certain cases.
As per March of Dimes, expecting mothers should limit their caffeine intake up to 200 milligrams per day. However, the quantity may vary with other factors. Consult a doctor; he or she can help you to manage your caffeine intake.
Congratulations! Now you are ready to get pregnant.
