🤰 Are you thinking about getting pregnant? Then let's get ready for a healthy future!

Are you planning to get pregnant? If so, you need to start preparing now to have a healthy baby. While most pregnancies go smoothly, this preparation will go a long way in making it easier for you to have a healthy baby and stay healthy throughout your pregnancy.

👶 How to plan to become pregnant:

Usually, a healthy couple, who are ovulating well, will have a baby after 12 months of trying. However, once you stop taking the contraceptive pill, it takes about 6 months for ovulation to occur again, meaning the eggs to start coming out. For those over 35 years old and those who smoke, it can take twice as long to conceive. So, by finding the days when you are ovulating, and ovulating on those days, about 3-4 times a week, you can conceive a baby quickly.

🥗 A little about food and drink (Nutrition):

The most important thing is to eat a well-balanced, nutritious diet. Before you have a baby, check your weight. Eat foods that are high in fiber, low in fat, and rich in vitamins. Eat freshly cooked or prepared food as much as possible. Drink plenty of water every day. (Filtered water is best). Since iodine is important during this time, use iodized salt. Also, don't forget to eat fish regularly.

Things to remember about food and drink:

💊 Folic acid before pregnancy:

Neural tube defects , that is, the chances of having babies with neural tube defects, are reduced by folic acid. Spina bifida is the same. People who have diseases like diabetes , epilepsy, or someone in their family has had these diseases, need to think a little more about this. They should take 5mg tablets a day starting a month before trying to have a baby. Then they should take them continuously for the first 12 weeks. If others are thinking about having a baby, take 0.5mg a day starting 4 weeks before.

Here's why folic acid is important:

• It reduces the occurrence of neural tube defects.
• It helps the baby's brain and spinal cord, that is, the nerves inside the spine, develop properly.
• It is needed for cells to divide, meaning new cells to form.

🏋️‍♀️ How is exercise? (Exercise)

It's best to do non-contact exercise. You can do things like walking and swimming. But don't do high-level exercise or get overheated.

🤒 Let's learn about diseases (Serious infections):

Although most babies are born healthy, some diseases that develop in the early stages can affect the baby. These include diseases such as rubella, chickenpox, hepatitis B, syphilis, toxoplasmosis, listeria, cytomegalovirus, and HIV . You should be careful of these diseases while trying to conceive, as well as after your baby is born. It is a good idea to get blood tests for rubella, chickenpox, syphilis, hepatitis, and HIV.

💉 Story about vaccination:

If a baby gets rubella (German measles) while they are still young, it can be a bit of a mess. Nowadays, most people have immunity to it. But over time, it can wane. It is best to check if you have immunity to it before you have a baby, or get the vaccine. It is not good to have babies until 3 months after getting the vaccine. Do the same for chickenpox. It is also good to get a vaccine for hepatitis B.

🐱 Be careful with Listeria and Toxoplasmosis:

These two diseases can be very dangerous for the baby. These germs can enter the body through improperly washed and undercooked food. Be careful if you have a cat that has toxoplasmosis. If this happens during pregnancy, the baby is at high risk of death (Fetal Death Rate - 30 to 50%).

Beware of Listeria:

• Do not eat unprocessed milk, soft cheese, store-bought meats, meat pastes , raw fish, or smoked fish.
• Wash raw vegetables thoroughly.
• Cook animal products thoroughly.
• Reheat leftover food until steaming hot before eating.
• After preparing raw food, wash the utensils used thoroughly.

Beware of Toxoplasmosis:

• If possible, ask someone else to remove the cat's feces.
• Wear disposable rubber gloves if you are going to handle soil that may contain cat feces.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after working in the garden and handling raw meat.

🚬🍺 No smoking, alcohol and other drugs, but:

Don't smoke while you're pregnant. If possible, quit smoking 3 months before you have your baby. If your partner smokes, tell them to stop too. Passive smoke from smokers is not good.

The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends that you avoid alcohol before and during pregnancy. Alcohol and illicit drugs, especially amphetamines , can cause birth defects. Stop using these substances. Don't take over-the-counter drugs without your doctor's permission. Cut down on caffeine and alcohol.

🧬 Let's see if there are any hereditary diseases (Genetic Counseling):

If someone in the family has a hereditary disease, or if the mother is over 35, you should check for genetic disorders or developmental disorders.

You should be screened for conditions such as Thalassaemia, Cystic Fibrosis, Haemophilia, Down Syndrome and Tay-Sachs Disorder. Your doctor will tell you about testing for these and other conditions.

❤️ See also Blood Group:

It is good to know both of your blood types. Then you can find out your Rh factor, that is, whether you are positive or negative. If the woman's blood type is negative and the man's blood type is positive, you need to be a little careful (Careful Attention).

📝 Remember this (Summary):

• 🚬 Stop smoking .
• 🍺 Stop alcohol and other social drugs.
• ☕️ Reduce or stop caffeine intake if possible.
• 💊 Review current medications.
• 🥗 Follow a healthy diet rich in iron and calcium.
• 💊 Take folic acid for 4 weeks before conception.
• 🏋️‍♀️ Have a good exercise routine.
• 💉 Ensure rubella, varicella and hepatitis B immunity.
• 🩺 Get a breast check and a Pap test.
• 🍗🥩 Eat freshly cooked and prepared food.
• 🧬 Consider genetic and family history.
• 💰 Consider getting health insurance cover.
• ☀️ Get some moderate sunlight exposure to boost your vitamin D.

For a healthy future, let's be aware and prepared! 💪👶💖