Preconception Care: Things To Do Before Planning A Baby

Planning for motherhood can be exciting. But it also brings along tons of responsibilities—not just after your baby is born, but before you even decide to get pregnant. One such major responsibility includes preparing your mind as well as your body for pregnancy. Also known as preconception care, it helps ensure that your body is fit enough to carry a baby and adapt to the changes that pregnancy will bring along.

In this blog, we have shared many essential tips that will help you prepare for your preconception journey. So dive right in.

What Is Preconception Health?

Your health right before you conceive is called preconception health. Having good health before trying for motherhood can not only improve your fertility but also increase the odds of your baby being born healthy.

Optimal pre-pregnancy health can be achieved by seeking guidance from your doctor, making changes to your diet, taking the necessary medications and supplements and being aware of any pre-existing medical conditions.

Next, let’s find out what a preconception checkup is.

What Is A Preconception Checkup?

A preconception checkup is a medical evaluation done before you conceive. It helps your doctor ensure that you are in the right mental and physical state to give birth to a baby. It also helps to manage and prevent medical conditions that could affect your pregnancy.

Ideally, this should be done at least three months before you begin trying to conceive. It's essential not to skip it, even if you've had a baby before.

Why Does Preconception Health Matter For Women?

Preconception health is really important for women, whether or not they are trying to get pregnant. That’s because many times pregnancy can occur without deliberate effort and you might not be aware until later on. A good pre-pregnancy health

• Improves your chances of getting pregnant
• Prevents health risks and helps avoid pregnancy complications
• Increases your chances of having a healthy baby

Does My Age Affect My Chance To Conceive?

Yes, age is one of the biggest factors that determines a woman's fertility. You have a high chance of conceiving when you’re in your mid-20s. But fertility starts to decrease gradually as you reach your 30s and this decline further speeds up by mid-30s. Once you reach 40, you only have a 5% chance of getting pregnant each month.

Why Check Family History Before Pregnancy?

It's essential to review your family history of diseases and health conditions before pregnancy. You must discuss with your doctor if any member on the maternal or paternal side has a history of birth defect, developmental disability or genetic condition. This will help your doctor conduct the right tests to assess potential problems with your pregnancy and recommend suitable measures to address them.

What Is Folic Acid?

Folic acid or folate is an important vitamin that helps prevent birth defects in the baby. If you’re planning for pregnancy, you must start taking folic acid supplements after discussion with your doctor. The NHS recommends taking 400 micrograms of folic acid tablets every day before pregnancy and until the 12 weeks of pregnancy.

To improve your dietary intake of folic acid, you can start eating more of green, leafy vegetables and other fortified foods.

Does Weight Affect Fertility? 

Yes! Being both underweight and overweight negatively affects your ability to get pregnant by causing hormonal imbalances and disrupting ovulation. So if you’re planning for motherhood, you must set your goals for an ideal body weight (varies for each person depending on their body type) through diet and exercise.

How Much Physical Activity Do You Need Each Day?

Experts recommend that women planning to have a baby must perform 30 minutes to 1 hour of moderate-to-high intensity physical activity per day, at least 5 days a week. And they must avoid being idle or skipping any physical activity for 2 consecutive days.

How to Prepare For A Healthy Pregnancy?

Here are a few steps you can take to support a healthy pregnancy:

1. Don’t drink alcohol, smoke or indulge in drugs.
2. Take the medications and supplements prescribed by your doctor diligently.
3. Avoid certain foods like fish, undercooked meat and unpasteurised dairy products as they can harbour harmful germs.
4. Limit exposure to harmful chemicals at your home or workplace.

Should I Take Supplements?

Your doctor can help you decide whether or not to take supplements when trying to conceive. While experts often recommend taking certain supplements during this period (like folic acid), it’s always wise to visit your doctor for personalised advice before starting to take them on your own.

Complementary And Alternative Medicines

There is limited evidence to support the use of complementary and alternative therapies during pre-pregnancy. A few common ones include:

• Acupuncture
• Aromatherapy
• Herbal Medicines
• Hypnosis
• Massage

While they can improve your general well-being, it’s important to consult with your doctor before making these therapies a part of your preconception care.

What Foods And Supplements Should I Avoid When Trying To Get Pregnant?

You should try to avoid the following when trying to get pregnant:8

• Fish: Fish with high levels of mercury can affect your baby's brain development.
• Caffeinated Beverages: Caffeine can slow down your baby’s physical development
• Alcohol: Alcohol during pregnancy can pass on to your baby and cause multiple physical & mental defects.
• Vitamin A Supplements: They can increase your risk of certain pregnancy-related complications such as miscarriage.

Tips On Preconception Health For Women

Maintaining good preconception health is no rocket science. It can be achieved by following a few simple tips that are listed below:

1. Eat Healthy

Your pre-pregnancy diet should include a lot of starchy and fibre-rich foods, and at least 5 portions of different fruits and vegetables. Limit your intake of sugar and fatty foods and ensure not to skip breakfast.

2. Exercise Regularly

Regular, moderate exercise is essential for keeping your mind and body healthy. Women trying to get pregnant should get about an hour of moderate-to-high-intensity physical activity.

3. Get Lots Of Sleep 

You must aim for a good eight hours of sound sleep during your preconception journey. Apart from keeping you rejuvenated, a good sleep helps relieve stress and tension.

4. Practice Relaxation

Yoga, meditation, soft music and warm baths are great options if you’re trying to relax and destress.

5. Educate Yourself

Reading books about pregnancy and childbirth can help you stay educated, informed and ready about the next steps in your pregnancy journey.

Summing Up

Preconception care sets the stage for a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby. So it’s important that you stay fully aware about what to do and what not to do in your preconception stage. As you can clearly see, just simple habits like eating healthy and exercising regularly can help ensure that your body is well-prepared for the journey ahead. 

For more such insightful information on pregnancy and childbirth, visit our page www.lifecell.in. Or get in touch with a LifeCell expert at 18002665533.